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City setting stage for national ski competition

Thunder Bay hosting the U16 Canadian Alpine Ski Nationals this week at Loch Lomond.
U-16 Alpine Skiing Practice
Skiers were able to fit in some practice runs at Loch Lomond on Monday as they prepare for the 2017 U-16 Canadian Alpine Ski Championships in Thunder Bay.

THUNDER BAY - After more than 40 years, competitive national alpine skiing returns to the city of Thunder Bay, and as organizers look forward to seeing young and talented skiers hit the local slopes, they are also crossing their fingers that the weather cooperates.

The Lake Superior Ski Division Alpine is hosting the 2017 U-16 Canadian Alpine Ski Championships at the Loch Lomond Ski Area this week. It is the first national competition held for this age division.

More than 160 of the best skiers ages 14 and 15 from across the country are descending on Thunder Bay to compete in slalom, giant slalom, and super G events.

“Thunder Bay has bitten off a huge challenge here and we are really rising to the occasion,” said Dave Bradley, event chair for U-16 Canadian National Alpine Ski Championships. “It has been a logistical nightmare so to speak over the last few days with the weather and so on making it particular tough.”

With temperatures rising well above seasonal over the weekend and rain forecasted on Monday, Bradley said the team at Loch Lomond has done incredible work keeping the runs in shape for racing.

“Right now with the warm weather the snow is kind of granular, more like spring,” he said. “The good news is we have a good, hard surface underneath but some of that warmth is working its way down into the snow and it’s making it a little harder for us to manage the tracks.”

Skiers were able to fit in practice runs Monday morning and afternoon. Morgan Pridy, coach with the team from British Columbia, said the runs are actually more challenging than what he was expecting.

“The slalom hill is steep and challenging and currently really icy,” he said. “It’s going to push the limits of what these young athletes can do, which is not what I figured we’d get when we got here, so it’s a pleasant surprise.”

With 28 skiers in from BC, Pridy added his team was expecting it to be a little easier, but after a few practices runs, easy isn’t a word they would use.

“It’s good we have two days to acclimatize because it’s not the shock you want on race day,” he said.

Bradley believes these athletes will be able to handle the conditions because some of the best skiers ages 14 and 15 will be competing this week, including seven skiers from Thunder Bay.

“We’re hopeful our local kids can show their stuff,” Bradley said. “But the main provinces are B.C., Alberta, Quebec, and Ontario tend to have a predominance of faster skiers. It can go anyway. You just never know with this age group.”

Aaron Puskas of Thunder Bay is skiing with Team Ontario and will be competing this week for the first time in front of a hometown crowd. For the 15-year-old, conditions are proving to be a little challenging so far.

“We haven’t had this kind of snow in a while so it’s taken a lot of power to acclimatize to it, but it’s been good,” he said.

Puskas and he has been skiing with Team Ontario since he was first eligible in the under 14 division. But being able to compete for the first time in Thunder Bay is an awesome experience for the young competitive skier.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s the first time ever really have any big races in Thunder Bay. It’s really cool having the home hill advantage. Hopefully I can maximize that during the race.”

Races get underway on Tuesday at Loch Lomond and will wrap up on Saturday. Bradley said hosting an event like a national championship is about more than just skiing and the week will include opening ceremonies, a parade at Prince Arthur’s Landing Thursday afternoon, and closing ceremonies at Confederation College.

“We are trying to create some excitement about skiing and more fun for the kids and trying to keep kids in our sport longer,” he said. “Being the first national championship at this age group ever, we are kind of setting the tone.”



Doug Diaczuk

About the Author: Doug Diaczuk

Doug Diaczuk is a reporter and award-winning author from Thunder Bay. He has a master’s degree in English from Lakehead University
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