By Matt Smider, Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club
Over the past two weekends, Revelstoke Nordic skiers have competed at two of the province's premiere title events: the BC Winter Games in Penticton and the BC Championships in Whistler.
From February 26–28, Miika Park, Kolibri Drobish, Simon Blackie and Erik Brosch represented the Thompson/Okanagan region at the BC Winter Games, competing amongst 67 of the province's top skiers born in 2001 and 2002.
Last weekend, from March 5-7, 20 Revelstoke Nordic athletes braved the coastal rains to challenge more than 400 skiers from across the province at the BC Championships in Whistler.
The multi-sport nature of the competitions makes the BC Winter Games a memorable event for young athletes. Racing aside, athletes confirmed that the opening and closing ceremonies, along with the post-race activities and interactions with competitors from other sports were event highlights. Revelstoke results from the 2016 BC Winter Games in Penticton:
Interval Start Classic
4th - Simon Blackie, 2001 Boys
6th - Kolibri Drobish, 2002 Girls
6th - Erik Brosch, 2001 Boys
8th - Miika Park, 2001 Girls
Free Technique Sprints
6th - Simon Blackie, 2001 Boys
9th - Kolibri Drobish, 2002 Girls
Mixed Technique Relays (as part of four separate Thompson/Okanagan relay teams)
1st - Simon Blackie
3rd - Erik Brosch
6th - Miika Park
Last weekend, the BC Winter Games skiers joined the rest of their Revelstoke teammates at the BC Championships held at the 2010 Olympic venue in the Callaghan Valley near Whistler. The world-class trail network provides challenging and inspiring courses for all athletes. Competitors were treated to three days of racing, with a sunny Saturday sandwiched in between coastal downpours on Friday and Sunday. Revelstoke Nordic skiers performed incredibly well, placing a best-ever third overall out of all B.C. clubs at the championships.
Top Revelstoke results include:
Free Technique Sprints
1st - Ruby Serrouya, Pee Wee Girls 2, 200m
1st - Elizabeth Elliott, Juvenile Girls 2, 1km
2nd - Emily Macleod, Midget Girls 1, 400m
2nd - Simon Blackie, Juvenile Boys 1, 1km
3rd - Maeve Macleod, Bantam Girls 1, 400m
3rd - Erik Brosch, Juvenile Boys 1, 1km
3rd - Alana Brittin, Juvenile Girls 2, 1km
Interval Start Classic
1st - Ruby Serrouya, Pee Wee Girls 2, 1.5km
1st - Maeve Macleod, Bantam Girls 1, 2.5km
1st - Alana Brittin, Juvenile Girls 2, 7.5km
2nd - Erik Brosch, Juvenile Boys 1, 7.5km
2nd - Elizabeth Elliott, Juvenile Girls 2, 7.5km
3rd - Kolibri Drobish, Midget Girls 2, 5km
3rd - Beth Granstrom, Juvenile Girls 2, 7.5km
Free Technique Relay
1st - Simon Blackie, Erik Brosch, Matt Smider, Open Men 3x5km
3rd - Kolibri Drobish, Jaclyn Elliott, Emily Macleod, Midget Girls 3x2.5km
3rd - Elizabeth Elliott, Alana Brittin and Beth Granstrom, Junior Women 3x3.75km
On Saturday evening, a banquet presented aggregate awards for the BC Cup Series. Revelstoke was well represented:
1st - Ruby Serrouya, Pee Wee Girls 2
1st - Alana Brittin, Juvenile Girls 2
2nd - Maeve Macleod, Bantam Girls 1
2nd - Elizabeth Elliott, Juvenile Girls 2
3rd - Simon Blackie, Juvenile Boys 1
The BC Championships marked an end to the competitive season for our youngest skiers. Our seven Juvenile athletes will now taper their training as they lead into the Ski Nationals in Whitehorse, from March 19-26.