The Swiss are apparently known for their army knives, 3D chocolate and down hill skiing and the third fact was true once again at the Whistler Cup April 6 to 8.
Fortunately along with the Swiss team and representatives from 20 other countries, skiers from the Table Mountain Alpine Race Team also hit the slopes for the weekend. The nearly 400 athletes competed in the only International Ski Federation-sanctioned ski race for juvenile athletes held on Canadian snow.
Nine male athletes from the local club hit the slopes with athletes representing Australia, Chile, Argentina, Japan, Switzerland, Korea, Norway, Russia and others.
The 20th anniversary Whistler Cup included the K1 and K2 division for skiers 11 to 14, who looked to follow in the footsteps of famous skiers such as Lindsey Vonn, Michael Janyk, Erin Mielzynski, Eric Guay and Robbie Dixon, who have competed at the same event while honing their skills before reaching national and international accomplishments.
April 6, in the K1 kinder kombi division, which included 101 racers 11 and 12 years old, five Table Mountain skiers had their first runs of the Whistler Cup. Devin McAllister finished 45th, Louis Lacoursiere was 53rd, Eli Klassen was 68th, Liam Tkatchuk was 78th and Garrett Musgrave was 84th. After combining Friday and Saturday's times, Devin moved up to 33rd following the slalom event while every other Table Mountain skier moved up at least eight spots in the standings.
The final K1 event was giant slalom April 8 and Louis moved up to 37th from 39th and finished as the top local in the division. Devin finished 44th, Eli was 60th, Liam was 84th and Garrett was 89th.
In the K2 division for 13- and 14-year-old skiers, RJ Cook finished with the best combined time of the locals after the super G, slalom and giant slalom. RJ was 77th, Taylor Musgrave was 79th, Ryan Abrahamson was 80th and close behind was Keifer Cosh at 83rd.
RJ held the 46th position, the highest of the Table Mountain skiers in the K2 division, after the second day races.
The team's year of accomplishments is a true result of the time, effort and dedication of the skiers as well as their parents and coaches. Corey Jamieson and Gord Lacoursiere were the Table Mountain coaches while Wendy Lumby was the Team Sask coach.
The dedication and support of the parents also didn't go unnoticed during the Whistler Cup, as two parents volunteered to be gate judges for the races and the race announcer commented on how loud the Saskatchewan fans were all weekend.
Apart from the international skiing experience, the young athletes were involved in an athletes' parade through Whistler Village and took part in a banquet that had many special guests including one of the Crazy Canucks, Steve Podborski.
