Young skiers from British Columbia to Newfoundland descended on the local ski clubs this week for the Canadian National K-2 Championships.
Two hundred athletes aged 13 and 14, competed at Osler Bluff on Monday and Tuesday, followed by 2 days of competition at Georgian Peaks and will finish the week at Craigleith Ski Club with the slalom races and awards presentations.
Many of these racers aspire to be on the Canadian Ski Team, some with hopes of being members of Canada’s future Olympic team.
To stage such an event requires a commitment from hundreds of volunteers from the local communities.
Ted Hynes, a long time resident of the Beaver Valley, was one of the volunteers helping at Georgian Peaks this week. He has worked in the ski industry for decades and continues to support young skiers by offering his services as a finish judge at many races during the winter.
Ted explains that each race requires dozens of workers from course setters, gate keepers, judges, timers, ski patrol and the crews who maintain the course during the events. Wendy Hately, one of the gate judges at Georgian Peaks, points out that many of the volunteers have been involved with skiing for many years either as racers themselves, ski instructors and coaches or as recreational skiers.
Everyone working on the hills this week was enjoying the continuing spring weather and despite the warm temperatures snow conditions remain very good with most clubs planning on at least 2 more weekends of skiing.
