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Ski racing returning to Kimberley Alpine Resort
Once again Kimberley Alpine Resort will host skiers from all over vying for the podium.
Kimberley has established itself as a place to race. Behind the scenes the Kimberley Disabled Skier’s Association in partnership with the Resort, Kimberley Alpine Team (KAT) and accommodation partners has earned a reputation of delivering first class races. Special thanks goes out to ViaSport BC, Kimberley Alpine Resort for the sponsorship of all the events and the folks at Sandor Rentals that make the night slalom possible by lighting it up every year.
Race organizers Lloyd Steeves and Donna Briggs are back again to bring successful events to Kimberley Alpine Resort. Both Briggs and Sleeves are residents of Kimberley. Their accomplishments in the ski world are impressive but the ‘boots on the ground’ approach to engage community and volunteers may be the key. Ask any volunteer, when you hear from Donna, you say yes. Rumour has it that it is because of her homemade soup.
Steeves’ experience includes over 30 years of participation in ski racing. Some of his more notable tasks include being Assistant Chief of Course at the Men’s World Cup in Lake Louise for ten plus years and a section chief at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. In addition, he received BC Alpine’s volunteer award of the year for 2010/11 and ViaSport BC’s Alpine volunteer of the year for 2012/13.
Donna Briggs received volunteer of the year through BC Alpine for her involvement with the FIS Keurig Speed Camp, Super G, Downhill and Night Slalom a couple of years ago. In 2014 the night slalom event was chosen ‘Event of the Year’ by BC Alpine.
When ski racers, coaches and their families come stay in our area, either for the first time or after many years away, they are stunned by the transformation of the resort and the caliber of on-mountain ski to your door accommodations, new amenities, dining experiences and activities available in our quaint mountain city five minutes from the resort.
The annual impact to our community is in the range $400,000 new dollars being spent on accommodations, restaurants, retail, services, transportation, and entertainment. The economic impact extends well beyond the winter season with many visitors making plans to visit again during another season to experience other available sports and activities to those visitors who become so enamoured with the quality of life, sense of community, and affordability that they are inspired to set up permanent residence.
Locals are invited to check out ski racing .Highlights include the award winning “Light ‘em up on Main” FIS night slalom Saturday, February 4 starting at 4 p.m. and national athletes clocking in speeds over 100km February 6 to 9.
Kimberley Alpine Team (KAT) will also be hosting the Zone Race for U12 and U14 Athletes in conjunction with the Nancy Green Festival for younger athletes. Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12 the U12 and U14 athletes will compete in Giant Slalom, Slalom and later that evening the crowd pleasing favorite dual night slalom. Over the two days the Nancy Green budding athletes will have fun experiencing ski jumps, obstacle course, ski cross course, speed traps, and introduction to downhill racing.
2017 Race Schedule
FIS Speed Camp and FIS Canadian Western Championship Downhills and Super Gs
Wednesday, February 1 to Friday, February 3 – Speed Camp for FIS
Saturday, February 4
Downhill Training
Saturday Night Slalom
Sunday, February 5 – Downhill Training X 1 run
Monday, February 6 and Tuesday, February 7 – Downhill Race
Wednesday, February 8 and Thursday, February 9 – Super G Race
Kootenay Zone Race and Nancy Green Festival
Saturday, Feb 11 and Sunday, Feb 12
Giant Slalom and Slalom
Nancy Green Festival
Dual Night Slalom (Saturday)
Para Alpine National Championships Canada & USA/Master Speed Series Kimberley Invitational
Sunday, February 12 – Master’s Speed Camp
Monday, February 13 & Tuesday, February 14 – Downhill Training X 2
Wednesday, February 15 – Downhill Races X 2
Thursday, February 16 – Super G X 2, Masters Night SL
Friday, February 17 – 2 GS Races Masters
Having these races, volunteers and race facilities has undoubtedly inspired and contributed to some of our regional ski racer success stories in the likes of local athletes likes Sherret, Chore and Hoffos who are all part of the Canadian Development Skier Cross team and Jamie Casselman, whose racing accomplishments continue to grow.
Complete racing results are available at BC Alpine.
Submitted
Photos by Derek Trussler
