The second annual B.C. Para Alpine Championships attracted more than 40 athletes this year, ranging from members of the national team to athletes that are new to the sport and wanted to try racing.
The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program, which co-hosted the event with the Disabled Skiers Association of B.C. and Rotary Club of Whistler, also hosts a race program, and invited athletes from race programs at Grouse Mountain, Silver Star and Mt. Washington.
The format was giant slalom. It was cold, about -14 at the start line, which made the conditions fast and consistent.
In the Visually Impaired category, national team member Carly Grigg and guide Tobi Telford raced unopposed and finished with a two-run time of 1:20.23.
For the men, Jay Maloney and guide Tyler Maloney were first in 1:12.40, while their opponents Donovan Tildesley and Rob Hargrove were disqualified.
In the men’s sitting category, national team member Brad Lennea — out for most of the season with injuries — placed first in 1:14.50. He was followed by Daniel Wesley in 1:16.39, and Sam Daniels in 1:18.55.
In the women’s standing race, Carla Tutsak and Alan Ramsay of Alberta were first and second with times of 1.29.19 and 1:31.36 respectively. Andrea Holmes of the B.C. Disabled Ski Team was third in 1:43.63.
In men’s standing, Alain Cordonier of the B.C. team narrowly edged out Matt Hallatt of the national team, with respective times of 1:19.09 and 1:19.38. Jeff Foss was third in 1:20.41.
In snowboarding, Tyler Mosher posted a two-run time of 1:26.22, followed by Zachery Beaumont in 1:40.88.
In the cognitive/developmental disability category, Mark Hopkins was first in 1:25.11, followed by Cory Duhaime in 1:30.14, and Paul Baldwin in 1:48.00.
