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 second, Hanna Schulze third, with Emilia Hofmann taking gold in the second race.
In U12 boys, Kristoff Panke topped the podium with Heiko Ihns drawing up second.
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 third. 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).
Red Mountain hosted race
Racing continued last weekend with Red hosting the first Nancy Greene Race of the season for the zone.
Kids from four to 14 years old raced 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.
FIS team update
“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.” said 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.”
For more information on Red Mountain Racers, check out redmountainracers.com.
The art of sport
Last november, the athletes of the Red Mountain Racers, were invited to be part of a club fundraising event by painting a mural under the guidance of artist Stephanie Gauvin.
The athletes found their inner artists and created a beautiful painting of Red Mountain featuring the face and its racing venue.
The original painting, by Gauvin, was sectioned off in four-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.
Greeting cards have been created from that mural which were sold at Christmas and the mural will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on Sunday.
It is 44”x55” and beautifuly framed.
Bidding will start at $300.