Skip to content

Red Deer Ski Club participates in provincial ski race at Canyon

160 athletes took part in the event
31639634_web1_230121-RDA--U12-Alpine-series_2
A skier makes his way downhill at the Alberta Alpine U12 Provincial Series at Canyon Ski Resort Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Advocate staff)

The Red Deer Ski Club and Sno Valley Racing welcomed athletes from across the province over the weekend for a two-day event to compete in the Alberta Alpine U12 Provincial Series.

Approximately 160 athletes hit from different ski clubs hit the slopes at Canyon Ski Resort and competed in various races split by each gender.

On Saturday there were six slalom races, which feature tighter turns around the poles along the track and tend to be shorter distances than giant slalom.

Coach and board member at the Red Deer Ski Club Levi Lowry the weekend is important for the athletes because they gain points depending on their placement in the events. After each weekend they’re ranked among their fellow competitors.

“It’s very challenging,” Lowry explained. “There are some very competitive racers at this age level. I think time spent on snow up to this point is a big factor and how often they ski with their families or clubs.

“Obviously the more they ski the better they’ll do and starting at this age you’ll start to separate the ones who are competitive and driven from the ones that are skiing casually.”

About seven skiers competed in the event from the Red Deer Ski Club and in total the club contains around 50 athletes.

“I think they did pretty good,” Lowry said. “It’s a challenging competition will all the clubs. The south zone tends to do a lot better and we’re in the north zone.”

This season Lowry explained they’ve had competitive racers in the older age groups but this weekend marked the beginning of the younger group’s season.

10-year-old Greysen Lowry competed said on Saturday he thought his races were pretty good and had fun going down the slopes.

This season marked his third year in the club and practices around three times a week to work on his skills. The youngster has skied for a few years after asking his dad if could try and plans on continuing to compete in the future.

On Saturday the race results went as follows:

Morning Race No. 1

Ladies

1. Sofia Pelkey - Lake Louise Ski Team

2. Anastasia Cuddihy - Mount Allan Ski Team

3. Carmen Bullock - Lake Louise Ski Team

Mens

1. Carter Duffy - Rabbit Hill Ski Team

2. Henry Petersen - Mount Allan Ski Team

3. Nelson Grandoni - Westcastle Ski Club

Morning Race No. 2

Ladies

1. Carmen Bullock - Lake Louise Ski Team

2. Kaitlyn Joy - Sunshine Speedsters

3. Olivia Henning - Bow Valley Quickies

Men

1. Carter Duffy - Rabbit Hill Ski Team

2. Samuel Richardson - Fernie Alpine Ski Team

3. Nelson Grandoni - Westcastle Ski Club

Afternoon Race # 3

Ladies

1. Sofia Pelkey - Lake Louise Ski Club

2. Emma Berthiaume - Bow Valley Quickies

3. Carmen Bullock - Lake Louise Ski Club

Men

1. Ronan Loria - Fernie Alpine Ski Team

2. Nelson Grandoni - Westcastle Ski Club

3. Merrick McHugh - Mount Allan Ski Team



Ian Gustafson

About the Author: Ian Gustafson

Ian began his journalism career as a reporter in Prince Albert, Sask. for the last three years, and was born and raised in Saskatchewan.
Read more