Summit Lake Ski Hill

The Summit Lake Racers spent the weekend at both Kimberley and Big White. Bryar, Dane, Amber, and Megan competed in K1, K2, and J1 races in Kimberley. According to Bryar McQuair, "it's an awesome ski hill. The snow was good and so was the grooming."

Meanwhile, at Big White, Tim Markholm coached his racers through the Honda Nor Am Tour of Champions which is the North American FIS level Snowboard Cross race. There was talent here from all over Canada, Australia, and the USA, including the racer who took 1st at the World Juniors in Korea last week.

Carly Thorp, who qualified 14th, got the hole shot in her heat but went down on the technical approach to the 1st burm. Carly commented that "this was a big, intense course. I was first out of the gates; my speed after the first set of rollers was huge, but too much for the first burm with those 3 other girls on my tail. I'm happy in spite of my wipe out."

Jesse McDonald, meanwhile, qualified 9th. She took first in the quarter-finals against Sarah Hunter, one of Canada's top 3 junior riders. During the semi-finals, she and Natasha McCormack of the BC Team strategized to shut out the other 2 riders so they could both advance to the finals. Jesse had the hole shot again, but left Natasha to tangle with the Sarah and crossed the finish second. In the finals, Jesse got behind in her start, caught the 3rd place and vied for 2nd through the tight burms in the mid section, only to be knocked back to 4th mid-air on the last step-up jump. Jesse said, "I'm thrilled with 4th place. These girls were within my reach; they know who I am and I look forward to meeting them again in 2 weeks." Flynn Seddon, head of snowboarding at Big White, was thrilled to see Jesse, in her first season FIS racing, as the only BC girl on the podium.

Coach Tim Markholm, meanwhile, worked on analyzing the other racers' styles, perfecting his waxing, and pumping the girls up. He said, "I'm so proud of both these girls. They may come from a little hill, but they can do big things! Guess they'll have to learn how to say 'Nakusp' !"

The race airs on Global TV later in the season; watch for notices here.