Apex Ski Club member Isaac Athans had a memorable performance in the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games.
The Kelowna product and son of former Olympian Gary Athans, helped the Thompson-Okanagan Zone claim two gold medals on Feb. 26. Athans won the slalom and giant slalom events.
Athans said it was awesome to win gold twice and to be the best.
“It was really tough competition, but it was really close,” said Athans, whose father Garry competed in the 1984 Olympics for alpine skiing.
Athans said racing on his home course, he competes with the Apex Ski Club, gave him a bit of an advantage.
“I know the terrain and how to move over the rolls. I know how to carry more speed into the flats,” he said.
Aside from trying to avoid crashing, only one other thing goes through his mind while racing down the course.
“I just think what’s coming up next. I had a bunch of nervous (energy),” said Athans. “I think everybody did. I just had a killer run.”
Athans coach with AFC, Jorgen Anderson, said he was solid.
“The guy is super solid and strong and smooth skiing it can take you to the top,” said Anderson.
As for the other ASC members, Anderson said they did excellent. Devin Blaser of Kelowna finished fourth in the slalom, Kelowna’s Ana Large was sixth in giant slalom and 10th in single slalom, while Penticton’s Peter De La Mothe was eighth. In giant slalom, Summerland’s Heming Sola was fourth. In the single slalom run, Blaser took home bronze and Athans was fourth, De La Mothe was fifth and Sola was ninth.
Anderson said to have four kids in the top 10 is awesome.
In other Games results for local Thompson-Okanagan athletes, Penticton’s Chloe and Sophie Brydon helped the Thompson-Okanangan win bronze in net ball. In judo, Caleb Millard helped his mixed team win bronze.