Young local skiers hit the slopes for one of Canada’s largest Nancy Greene racing events: the Jasper Junior Olympics.
The Lakeland’s very own Cold Lake Blizzards were among the 400 skiers taking part in the annual competition from March 2 to 3.
Finishing third in the eight-year-old female category was Annabelle Iverson.
Nicknamed the Blonde Yeti, Annabelle was thrilled with her fastest time of 40-seconds and 96-milliseconds.
“There were two girls that were faster than me,” she noted, adding she did have one wipe out.
“I was going down, I hit the gate, and then I spun around and my skies went into the snow and I did a backflip. It was so much fun,” laughed Annabelle.
Overall, Jarred Pawlowski was pleased with the team’s performance.
Out of their 29 skiers participating, two landed a spot in the top 10.
Joining Annabelle in the winner’s circle, was Eva Schafer.
She slid her way into fifth place in the 10-year-old female category.
“I think the team did fantastic,” Pawlowski expressed. “We had two top 10 finishes and lots of smiles. Everybody had a great time out there.”
For some skiers, this was their first time not only competing on a hill of this calibre, but racing in general.
The event took place at the Marmot Basin, and for those who have never hit the slopes in the rockies, it was a bit intimidating at first.
Pawlowski said, “Initially it can be a little overwhelming, especially with the amount of kids there. Once everybody gets going and they do course inspections and see the course, it’s nothing but everyone having fun. There’s lots of encouragement… Whether it was their first time out there or they’ve been doing it for five years, the racers push each other and try to promote that positive competitive environment.”
For Rosie and Sophie Iverson, Annabelle’s younger sisters, it was overall a fun-filled weekend.
“I did good. I missed one gate on the last race, but in the other two races I didn’t,” stated seven-year-old Rosie.
As part of the Blizzard’s Dream Team, Sophie, 5, took part in a more obstacle course-style competition.
“The (Jasper Junior Olympics) run three races. They have the older kids from nine-years-old to 11-years-old going on a slightly harder racetrack. The eight to six-year-olds are lower, and then they have the Dream Team, which is the four and five-year-olds. They do more of an obstacle course race,” explained mother Monika Iverson. “It’s a simpler race, but they have a lot of fun.”
For the youngest competitor in the Iverson family, it was getting to the race that was the best part.
According to Iverson, in order to access the Dream Team track, the skiers had to make their way down the mountain with their coaches, which was Sophie’s favourite part.
Pawlowski described the Jasper Junior Olympics as “a great team event.”
“Sometimes for the kids, it’s their only chance to go skiing in the mountains. There’s a special vibe out there.”
Their next venture is hosting their very own Blizzard Blast competition at Kinosoo Ridge. Originally scheduled in February, the local club decided to bump the event due to freezing temperatures.
Now, fans can join them at the ski hill March 30 and 31, with the hopes of warmer weather and sunny skies.
