Apex Freestyle Club (AFC) is sending four skiers to season’s biggest event, Junior Nationals in Le Relais, Que.
Alec Henderson, Ainsley MacDonald, Ethan Phillips and Cole Patton will compete in moguls this weekend. The four qualified based on their results at Timber Tour Apex and Whistler. Henderson and MacDonald, both 14, also qualified for slopestyle junior nationals.
AFC coach Kenni Kuroda said Henderson is having an awesome season.
“He’s skiing really well in all disciplines (big air is the third),” said Kuroda.
When asked if Henderson is filling in the shoes of his son Brayden Kuroda, an AFC alum and Team B.C. member, Kuroda said he’s sure Henderson aspires to accomplish the same.
“He’s exceptional on his own. He puts in so much work. He’s just determined,” said Kuroda. “I really find that great with him. He’s just very open. He listens to what I say. He actually tries to improve by what I’m telling him. He’s great to coach.”
MacDonald has also impressed.
“This is her second year mogul skiing. She is skiing fantastic,” said Kuroda, a former Canadian Amateur Freestyle Champion, Canadian Professional Freestyle Champion, European Professional Mogul and two-time Japanese Professional Freestyle Champion. “She’s got that determination as well. She’s not going to let anything hold her back. She’s outstanding. I hope to see great things from her as well.”
Kuroda said it’s great for both making junior nationals in moguls and slopestyle and added it is unbelievable for the program. After graduating several athletes to provincials teams, Kuroda said this gives the program a boost.