At the start of the 2006 season the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) expanded its teaching and assistance program by adding an amateur racing program. The goal was to give para-alpine skiers an opportunity to try racing, and create an event to identify potential candidates for the provincial and national teams.
The season wrapped up with a race, that attracted members of the national and provincial teams.
This year that race expanded, with the assistance of the Disabled Skiers Association of B.C. and the Rotary Club of Whistler, to include the B.C. Para-Alpine Championships, as well as the less competitive Rotary Giant Slalom race. There are now four para-alpine race programs in the province, at Grouse, Silver Star and Mt. Washington that will be participating, and taking on WASP’s own team. Other teams expected include the Canadian Para-Alpine ski Team, B.C. Disabled Ski Team, and Team Alberta.
Adaptive snowboarders are also welcome to race.
“As an up and coming athlete I am taking every possible moment to race against the best athletes in the world, like Brad Lennea, and learn from their experience,” said Rob Grosse, a member of WASP’s development team.
The bib draw for the competition is on Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. on the Pontiac Stage in Village Square. The racing gets underway on Saturday on a giant slalom course on the Jolly Green Giant run. Spectators are welcome for the race and the awards at 7:30 p.m. that evening, to be followed by a performance by hip hop legends De La Soul.
