Whistler Mountain Ski Club’s U16 athletes raced with perseverance and determination to the majority of podium finishes at the Teck Open Enquist Slalom at Mount Seymour on February 26 and 27. The racers competed in two days of fun SL racing in foggy and soggy conditions.

For the ladies, Vanessa Young was 2nd on Saturday and 1st on Sunday and Lola Gilbert was 3rd on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday.

On the men’s side, WMSC filled the podium on both days with Thomas Legg 1st on Day 1 and 1st again on Day 2, Joseph Gibbons 2nd on Day 1, Nick Kokot 3rd on Day 1 and 2nd on Day 2, and Archie Clarke 3rd on Day 2.

Both, Vanessa and Thomas, were also awarded the coveted Enquist Cup award for their victories.

Spring Break Training | March 14-25

During the spring break we will continue with our regular schedule of training: Thursdays-Sundays.
We will not be adding extra days.
If you are not already signed up in an extended program you can sign up for extra days NOW!
See links below

WMSC Racers are busy putting their training to the test.

U12 Racers put in a strong showing last weekend at the Grouse Tyee Cup. WMSC took 7 of the top 15 spots in the women’s SL and 4 of the top 15 spots in the Men’s SL.

The U14 racers are at the Teck Zone race at Cypress this weekend racing Slalom Saturday and GS Sunday. Stay tuned for a race update and results

At the Teck Open Rd 2 in Sun Peaks our very own Lola Gilbert and Thomas Legg WON the Super G.
There are still the GS and Slalom events to come for these U16 racers.

Between March 3-8, on home soil our FIS athletes are competing at the BC Cup Speed Series at the 42nd annual Parson’s Memorial Cup that includes a Downhill and a Super G.

Check out the results at
https://www.live-timing.com/

Two WMSC Alum win BIG!

Molly Jepsen Wins Gold in Beijing

https://alpinecanada.org/news/canadas-jepsen-golden-marcoux-charges-to-silver-in-first-day-of-paralympic

Alpine Canada | News | CANADA’S JEPSEN GOLDEN, MARCOUX CHARGES TO SILVER IN FIRST DAY OF PARALYMPIC ACTION
March 4, 2022 (Yanqing Alpine Centre, CHN) — Canada’s Mollie Jepsen (West Vancouver, BC) just can’t be stopped. After nine starts and a subsequent nine World Cup/World Championship medals to her name this year, the 22-year-old can also officially add Paralympic Downhill Champion to her impressive resume.

Cameron Alexander Wins World Cup Downhill in Norway

https://alpinecanada.org/news/canadian-alexander-claims-his-first-world-cup-podium-with-win-in-norway

Alpine Canada | News | CANADIAN ALEXANDER CLAIMS HIS FIRST WORLD CUP PODIUM WITH WIN IN NORWAY
March 4, 2022 (Kvitfjell, NOR) — In only his third start of the World Cup season after sitting out several races rehabilitating an injury, Cam Alexander (North Vancouver, B.C.) silenced any doubts, landing on the podium in a tie for first place with Niels Hintermann (SUI). Both men laid down a blistering time of 1:44.42.

Cam Alexander not only won blitzed the field at the World Cup in Norway by taking home his first World Cup victory, but he also lead 3 BC athletes into the top 30!

Cam Alexander 1st
James Crawford 13th
Brodie Seger 25th

NEW Partnership.

WMSC is pleased to announce a new partnership with “supportive apparel” provider Stoko . Stoko is re-inventing knee support systems and they wish to partner with our athletes and membership. Stoko will provide both a discount to our membership and a contribution to WMSC with each transaction.

To quote their website; “Stoko calls its product supportive apparel and it is getting everyone back to doing what they love. Customizable and anatomically correct, you get all the support of a traditional knee brace within the comfort of a compression tight. Our products are engineered to help you come back from your knee injury sooner, protect a chronic knee injury from getting worse and minimize your chance of getting injured in the first place.” Visit their website for more product details, www.Stokodesign.com

WMSC Membership and Alumni enter “WMSC2022” for the partnership deal.

Covid-19 Policy Update

Please note that :

• Whistler Blackcomb has not changed their policy. Masks are still required to enter any facility and vaccine passports are required for restaurants.

• * Proof Vaccination and masks are still required to enter the Whistler Mountain Ski Club Cabin and to participate in any indoor activities.*

BC Alpine has updated their COVID-19 vaccine policy for the 2021/22 season and it is effective immediately: Proof of vaccination is no longer required to compete in BC Alpine sanctioned events below FIS levels, unless it is a requirement from the host mountain. Please read the full updated policy here. https://bcalpine.com/files/Policy_Files/?f=BC_Alpine_COVID-19_Mandatory_Vaccine_Policy_for_Competition_Season_2021-22_update.docx

Our Lead Coaches are contacting all the race hosts of the upcoming events to find out what are the host mountain requirements and we will get this information as soon as possible to all of you that this change impacts directly.

Extra Days | March Open for Registration

Extra Training Days will be available for purchase from December 2, 2021 to April 24, 2022.

Registration opens every Sunday evening and closes every Tuesdays at midnight.

Costs: U12 and U14 $75/day | U16 and FIS $80/day. For specific details visit our website www.wmsc.info | Programs |select your page (U12 to FIS) | Extra Days

U12 Extra Training Dayshttps://www.wmsc.info/clubs/6388/pages/181905
U14 Extra Training Dayshttps://www.wmsc.info/clubs/6395/pages/181906
U16 Extra Training Dayshttps://www.wmsc.info/clubs/6396/pages/181907
FIS Extra Training Days | Contact your coaches

BC Alpine has updated their COVID-19 vaccine policy for the 2021/22 season and it is effective immediately: Proof of vaccination is no longer required to compete in BC Alpine sanctioned events below FIS levels, unless it is a requirement from the host mountain. Please read the full updated policy here. https://bcalpine.com/files/Policy_Files/?f=BC_Alpine_COVID-19_Mandatory_Vaccine_Policy_for_Competition_Season_2021-22_update.docx

Our Lead Coaches are contacting all the race hosts of the upcoming events to find out what are the host mountain requirements and we will get this information as soon as possible to all of you that this change impacts directly.

Volunteers needed for FIS BC CUP SG and Parsons Memorial Downhill Race | March 3-8
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Calling all speed enthusiasts to help out with the upcoming FIS Speed races (March 3-8). WMSC is the host for this historic race series, named after the late Bob Parsons (our own Jim Parsons and Chris Leighton’s father), ski racer, original race worker and lover of speed. Bob had a vision that BC ski racers needed to learn how to ski speed in a safe and controlled environment.
​

As hosts of this race series, we all need to contribute – especially FIS parents. There are plenty of opportunities both on-hill and off. Email volunteers@wmsc.info. All volunteers need to be double vaccinated. Lunches are provided for full day volunteers.

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This is a long race series that includes week days and weekends. Weekday volunteers are especially appreciated. Experience with speed race is essential for course workers and slip crews.

Email volunteers@wmsc.info

Shout out to WMSC alumni Nathan and Tait!

The 2022 Canadian FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships men’s roster includes:

Etienne Mazellier (20) – Club de Ski Stoneham, QC
Gerrit Van Soest (20) – Okanagan Ski Team/Vernon Ski Club, B.C.
Logan Dunn (21) – Nakiska Alpine Ski Association, AB
Nathan Romanin (20) – Whistler Mountain Ski Club, B.C.
Raphael Lessard (20) – Bromont Ski Club, QC
Tait Jordan (19) – Whistler Mountain Ski Club, B.C.
WMSC alumni Mollie Jepsen on her way to second Paralympic Winter Games

“It’s an honour to be named to the team for my second Games,” said Jepsen. “I’m more nervous this time than last, as I’m more familiar with the experience, but I look to leverage that as I know what it takes to be successful. My goal is to go out there and leave everything on the hill, and use my experience to strive for the podium. If we all (the entire team) ski the way we know we can ski, then we will find success.” Read full story here

Extra Days | March open for registration

Extra Training Days will be available for purchase from December 2, 2021 to April 24, 2022.

Registration opens every Sunday evening and closes every Tuesdays at midnight.

Costs: U12 and U14 $75/day | U16 and FIS $80/day. For specific details visit our website www.wmsc.info | Programs |select your page (U12 to FIS) | Extra Days

U12 Extra Training Dayshttps://www.wmsc.info/clubs/6388/pages/181905
U14 Extra Training Dayshttps://www.wmsc.info/clubs/6395/pages/181906
U16 Extra Training Dayshttps://www.wmsc.info/clubs/6396/pages/181907
FIS Extra Training Days | Contact your coaches

And excitement is in the air as young racers meet Olympians & Paralympians

Clear blue skies coupled with unseasonably warm weather greeted an energetic group of more than 100 young ski racers on Sunday, February 13th in Whistler. Wearing colourful suits and their new Sporting Life race bibs, they ascended Whistler Mountain to compete in Whistler Mountain Ski Club’s signature annual U12 Janyk Cup Zone Race on a section of the Dave Murray National Training Centre (Ptarmigan run). The competition consisted of a two-run combined-time giant slalom, one per gender.

“It was a spectacular weekend with lots of sunshine and smiles. It was really great for me personally to see all the young racers from throughout the ski-to-sky corridor up in Whistler competing and having fun again.”

– Andrew Kirker, Race Chairperson
“Fantastic weekend with plenty of smiles, skiing and sportsmanship. What made it all worthwhile was seeing the kids cheering on kids from different clubs and the appreciation from other clubs, coaches and families for hosting a well run event.”

Thank you Sporting Life!

Photo #1 – Jack Crawford, Broderick Thomson and Brodie Seger with Cecily Gibbons (Whistler) and Eric Krastev (Grouse); Photo #2 – Mac Marcoux and Tristan Rodgers with Grayson Kirker (Whistler) and Jonathan Yeung (Whistler)

This year’s race was particularly significant as it marked the return to racing after a two year hiatus due to COVID restrictions. For most of these 10 and 11 year old skiers, this race presented their first opportunity to compete against other clubs after two years of training at their respective clubs.

WMSC alumni and recent Olympians Jack Crawford (Bronze medalist in Combined in Beijing 2022), Brodie Seger and Broderick Thomson, were present to award the winners. Paralympic legend Mac Marcoux – Canada’s most decorated Alpine Paralympic Gold Medalist – also stopped by to support this weekend’s events on his way to compete in Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games. Their presence provided powerful inspiration for these young ski racers – Canada’s next generation of Olympians and champions!

Jack Crawford, Boderick Thomson and Brodie Seger with (on podium) Cecily Gibbons (Whistler), Thea Han (Whistler), Inaya Salari (Cypress)

“Huge thanks to WMSC for running a successful event for little racers. The kids had an opportunity to test their skills in various events, and how cool is it to get a speed ticket from the RCMP in Speed Trap event! What a surprise treat to be visited by the Beijing 2022 Alpine Ski Olympians Jack Crawford, Brodie Seger, and Broderick Thompson, with Paralympic Gold medalist Mac Marcoux and Tristan Rodgers. A great way to wrap up a successful event! Kudos to all the parents, volunteers, coaches, clubs and athletes. Special thanks to an amazing photographer Albert for taking every single racers’ fantastic photos! Greatly appreciated.”
~ Insun Kim, parent of Grouse athlete Eames Kim

RCMP Speed Trap

Podium / Awards (listed below in order of first, second, third):
Ladies – Cecily Gibbons (Whistler), Thea Han (Whistler), Inaya Salari (Cypress)
Men – Eric Krastev (Grouse), Daniel Gold (Grouse), Lucas Yu (Grouse)

Thank you to all the volunteers, including:

ROC Event Chair – Andrew Kirker
Chief of Race – Carmine Boskovich
Chief of Course – Josh Douglas
Chief of Volunteers – Euan Cormack
Race Admin – Leanne Von Hollen

~ Story submitted by Kevin Yeung
~ Photos taken and provided by Albert Han