Snow and sunshine for ski kids

Canadian Ski hero Nancy Greene would be thrilled this past weekend with all the gold medal smiles at the festival and the ski league that bears her name. A group of young local athletes attended the Nancy Greene Festival in Kimberley along with 10 other ski clubs from around the Kootenays. The festival was an opportunity for approximately 150 entry level skiers aged 5-10 to gather, enjoy the snow and sunshine and engage in friendly, fun competitive activities.

The youngsters participated in a team dual GS race as well as a fun-filled skills event. The skills event included a Kombi race (combination of slalom and GS), a mogul course, a long distance jump-off and the “RCMP Speed Trap,” where speeding athletes were clocked with a radar gun.

Despite the fact the Windermere Valley Ski Club was one of the smallest participating clubs; the podium list certainly did not reflect the number of attending athletes. In the E1 division (8 and under) Kombi race, Zoe McGrath, Peyton Dutcher and Kyle Brunner all placed first in their respective age groups. Ella Haynes placed second and Isabella Hul posted a third place finish. Kody Brunner and Lukas Jerebek also finished in the top 10. Isabella Hul dominated the mogul field and finished first overall. Zoe McGrath tied for the fastest overall in the speed trap, clocking in at 63km/hr. In the E2 division Riley Haynes and Avery Comrie earned top 10 finishes in the dual GS race.

Although the Nancy Greene Ski League teaches fundamentals of skiing and prepares young athletes to move forward into the world of ski racing; the true rewards are realized by creating happy memories, great friends and a true passion for the sport of skiing. Massive kudos go out to the Kimberley North Star Racers and the organizing committee of this event. It is a weekend that every young athlete in attendance will remember and cherish for a lifetime!