Ski Cross Event Jan 30-31st
Breakfast of Champions Propels WMSC Athletes to Ski X Success
What has Mark Anderson, WMSC’s E2 coach, been putting on his kids’ Wheaties? At the Ski X competition held on Blackcomb Mountain on January 31st, Mark’s skiers gobbled up the competition and begged for second helpings.
Maybe it was Rice Crispies that Mark put on the menu that morning because – Snap! – Finn Iles took first place in the Boys’ 10 and under category. Crackle! Kyle Alexander spooned up second place and - Pop! - Kasper Woolley digested any non-E2 challengers to take the third medal position. The boys walked away from the Ski X table but left plenty for their female teammates to consume.
It was a foggy day and Katie Fleckenstein dined on the thick white stuff as if it was cotton candy. Carefully flossing between meals, she dominated each round and came away with a gold medal. Anna Gosney joined her for a delicious bronze amuse bouche. Erin Finan won the “small finals” to take fifth place, with Lucy Turner in 6th place and Leiah Kirsh in 8th. Lucy and Leiah did not go home hungry. At the awards ceremonies, which offer the greatest draw prizes of any event in 10-and-Under-Land, Lucy was consoled with a new phone and Leiah walked off with a Nintendo DS. Lucy phone home!
The 11 to 13-yearold boys also shared a smorgasbord of success. Grouse Mountain was to be the K1 race host this weekend but due to a lack of snow, some K1’s and one K2 athlete came to see what was on offer at the Ski X. They obviously liked what they saw because all but 2 of the top eight spots went to WMSC athletes. Cameron Alexander was first, followed by Jack Iles (K2), Alex Gershon (3rd), Max Peiffer (4th), Cooper Yates (5th) and Max Kirshenblatt in 7th place.
The appetites of the 11 to 13-year-old girls were no more easily sated than the boys. On short leave from K2 training, the Deane Sisters, Chantal and Cassidy, took 1st and 3rd, respectively. WMSC K1 athlete, Mikayla Martin, ordered à la carte and placed second. Siobhan Finan selected from all the food groups and ended in fourth place. Stefanie Fleckenstein was fifth, with Cheyenne Ling in sixth place. First year K1’s, Laura Swaffield and Gabby Smith, savoured dessert with 7th and 8th place.
Head K1 Coach Raul Anguita said, “Congratulations to the winners and to everyone that participated. It is certainly a good way to learn skills and moves that can be applied to alpine racing.”
WMSC’s actual Ski X athletes took three of the four top spots in the Male 14 to 16-year-old category. Blake Newton was first, with Rowdy Reeves coming second. Jacob Lepine took the fourth position for the age group.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the folks in Whistler/Balckcomb’s Events Department for a fun, safe competition with no unpleasant aftertaste - in less than ideal conditions.
What has Mark Anderson, WMSC’s E2 coach, been putting on his kids’ Wheaties? At the Ski X competition held on Blackcomb Mountain on January 31st, Mark’s skiers gobbled up the competition and begged for second helpings.
Maybe it was Rice Crispies that Mark put on the menu that morning because – Snap! – Finn Iles took first place in the Boys’ 10 and under category. Crackle! Kyle Alexander spooned up second place and - Pop! - Kasper Woolley digested any non-E2 challengers to take the third medal position. The boys walked away from the Ski X table but left plenty for their female teammates to consume.
It was a foggy day and Katie Fleckenstein dined on the thick white stuff as if it was cotton candy. Carefully flossing between meals, she dominated each round and came away with a gold medal. Anna Gosney joined her for a delicious bronze amuse bouche. Erin Finan won the “small finals” to take fifth place, with Lucy Turner in 6th place and Leiah Kirsh in 8th. Lucy and Leiah did not go home hungry. At the awards ceremonies, which offer the greatest draw prizes of any event in 10-and-Under-Land, Lucy was consoled with a new phone and Leiah walked off with a Nintendo DS. Lucy phone home!
The 11 to 13-yearold boys also shared a smorgasbord of success. Grouse Mountain was to be the K1 race host this weekend but due to a lack of snow, some K1’s and one K2 athlete came to see what was on offer at the Ski X. They obviously liked what they saw because all but 2 of the top eight spots went to WMSC athletes. Cameron Alexander was first, followed by Jack Iles (K2), Alex Gershon (3rd), Max Peiffer (4th), Cooper Yates (5th) and Max Kirshenblatt in 7th place.
The appetites of the 11 to 13-year-old girls were no more easily sated than the boys. On short leave from K2 training, the Deane Sisters, Chantal and Cassidy, took 1st and 3rd, respectively. WMSC K1 athlete, Mikayla Martin, ordered à la carte and placed second. Siobhan Finan selected from all the food groups and ended in fourth place. Stefanie Fleckenstein was fifth, with Cheyenne Ling in sixth place. First year K1’s, Laura Swaffield and Gabby Smith, savoured dessert with 7th and 8th place.
Head K1 Coach Raul Anguita said, “Congratulations to the winners and to everyone that participated. It is certainly a good way to learn skills and moves that can be applied to alpine racing.”
WMSC’s actual Ski X athletes took three of the four top spots in the Male 14 to 16-year-old category. Blake Newton was first, with Rowdy Reeves coming second. Jacob Lepine took the fourth position for the age group.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the folks in Whistler/Balckcomb’s Events Department for a fun, safe competition with no unpleasant aftertaste - in less than ideal conditions.
Posted by: Leighton
on 2/5/2010
