Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snow Sports racers found snow and posted great results at the Western Canadian Para Alpine Championships, March 19-21 at Silver Star Resort in Vernon.
For the VISAS alpine racers and snowboarders, it was their first chance to train and race as a team since early February. Friday was a “Building Our Best” training day, given by a provincial coach from the BC Association for Adaptive Snowsports. (Find out more at https://www.bcadaptive.com/).
In spite of very little training, all team members put in great races in the Slalom and Giant Slalom events on Saturday and Sunday. Conditions were tough on Saturday because of a wet snow storm moving through, but Sunday brought colder snow and sunshine. The team was able to ski with racers from around the province, renewing old friendships and making new ones.
A special congratulations goes to former teammate Melissa Pemble, now racing with the provincial development team, who put in the fastest combined time on the Giant Slalom course.
VISAS team results were as follows:
Joe Grubwieser, skier, silver in Slalom; Don Nesbitt, sit-skier, silver in Giant Slalom; Basil Petropoulos, snowboarder, silver in the Giant Slalom; Ron Greenhorn, skier, completing both courses; Bridge Warwick, snowboarder, new to the team and in his first race, gold in both the Slalom and Giant Slalom courses.
“The team wishes to thank the downtown Thrifty Foods for once again contributing to travel costs so we may participate in a great event,” a spokesperson said. “The team also gratefully acknowledges the fantastic support they receive from Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
“We are always interested in hearing from potential racers who would benefit from ski improvement opportunities or lessons through the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports. Check out our website at visasweb.ca.”
– Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports
