Varsity Ski Team Season Wrap Up

Coaches Smith, Hadley, and I, along with team captains Katie Goddard and Mitchell Larkin, send out a big congratulations to all 29 ski racers this year. There was a variety of ages and experience on the team, and our student athletes hailed from Canada, Germany, China, and Mexico. It was an exciting year filled with much ski skill improvement in the 40 days of on-snow training and racing!

The team brought home four Regional Banners; Intermediate Boys, Intermediate Girls, Senior Boys, and Senior Girls, plus there were many individual accomplishments.

We then moved on to Provincial competition where 149 athletes competed (after first qualifying through their own region). The Intermediate Girls proudly brought home GOLD Medals and the Team Banner. Svenja Priggemeyer (winning individual SILVER), Lucy Goddard (individual BRONZE), Paige Fraser (individual 4^th), Sarah Sidorchuk (individual 5^th), and Natalie Veit (who made her debut in ski racing this season).

The Intermediate Boys also brought home GOLD Medals and the team Provincial Banner. Mitchell Larkin (winning individual GOLD), Carter Short (individual BRONZE), Frederik Rohr (individual 4^th), and Edward O’Neill and Diego Rodriguez (who both made their debut in ski racing this season).

The Senior Boys brought home BRONZE medals: Yunjin (Kevin) Bai (individual 6^th), Thomas Boily, Zien (Victor) Zhou, Alden Mulherin, and Freek Schep.

The team wishes to say a big thank you to our Grade 12 students: Katie Goddard, Laura Gillis, and Ella Brown. Katie, and Laura have both been racing for several years and are no strangers to winning Gold at Provincials (as Intermediate racers with Kristen Otto). And although Ella is no stranger to elite sports, this was her first year for ski racing, and the team valued her enthusiasm and work ethic that saw vast improvements throughout the training season, and most importantly that she rediscovered her love of skiing.

Another big thank you goes out to our Captains Katie Goddard and Mitchell Larkin. Their enthusiasm and expertise were valuable to the team again this year. They led by example, lugging gates, setting courses, constantly encouraging their teammates and helping to coach. Thank you!

Now, since Katie is both a graduating student athlete, as well as a captain, I will take a moment to embarrass her with praise. I hope you enjoy the TEAM VIDEO she created. The caring and kind way she encourages every team member to reach their potential while having fun is a blessing. The fact that she continues to work out long after dryland training season to ensure she maintains and increases her strength makes her a stronger skier, both mentally and physically. This VIDEO shows her at one of the Regional Ski Races at Martock this season. She has such a strong start, excellent edge control and form, an amazing tuck turn, and such a smart line. She has been the female athlete to chase at Martock for several years. But more importantly, she has been the inspiration for many racers, especially female racers, who have been developing in our programme. Katie, thank you for your contribution to the team and to our School. You will be dearly missed next year!