Red Mountain Racers produce art and skiing as Winter Carnival kicks off!
By Linda Schulze
A remarkable start to the racing season for the U12,14, and U16 Red Mountain Racers in early January.
Friday was the only day of Giant Slalom and the first race for U12 Girls saw Sage Stefani take 2nd, Hanna Schulze 3rd, with Emilia Hofmann taking gold in the second race. In U12 Boys, Kristoff Panke topped the podium with Heiko Ihns drawing up 2nd.
In U14 boys, Orion Humpherys took top spot, followed by Gavin Patterson in fourth and Mattias Hofmann sixth, while in the U14 girls, Kaysa Panke took 3rd. Later in the weekend, Samantha Gaul broke through the ranks to take top stop in the first slalom on day two.
In U16, a combined race, Soleil Patterson aced both runs to seal her victory overall in the GS.
The weekend continued in this way with Red Mountain Racers showing distinct consistency and perseverance as the race course saw in turns, heavy snow, rain, low visibility, and biting winds.
Top 10 results were achieved also by Calix Webber, Yasmin Evans, Morgan Gash, Isaac Lunn, Logan Merringer, and Sophia Rodyakin.
Full results are available at BCAlpine.com for the Kootenay Zone Race at Fernie (10-12 January 2014).
Racing continued this weekend with Red hosting the first Nancy Greene Race of the season for the zone. Kids from 4 to 14 aced their way through a dual slalom much to the delight of parents and volunteers alike. Many racers were in the gates for the first time and it was a fun time had for all.
“Our FIS team has also been very busy this year. They have spent much of the season on the road with camps in France and Panorama followed by races at Panorama, Lake Louise, Norquay, Schweitzer and this week again in Panorama.” says Christine Andison, president of Red Mountain Racers. “The team will be training at home for much of February before heading off to further competitions in March. Our three FIS racers, Patrick Cometta, Madison Eggert and Jamis Beatty, are all enjoying their first year of FIS competition. They have all achieved a number of top 30 results while competing in a very fierce field including members of the Canadian National Team and both the BC and Alberta ski teams.
The coming weekend is Winter Carnival and the Red Mountain Racers collaborated with Kootenay artist Stephanie Gauvin to produce a painting which is now being put up for auction for a fundraiser. The original painting, by Stephanie Gauvin, was sectioned off in 4 inch squares and reproduced in the whimsical and lyrical style of each racer who participated. The end result is a beautiful painting, which will be on display during Rossland’s Winter Carnival, at the Rossland Art Gallery in the old Bank of Montreal Building. Bidding will start at $300.00.
