Attending the Whistler Cup for skiers is like magicians going to Hogwarts.
That’s the analogy that Apex Ski Club coach Jorgen Anderson used.
“Whistler Cup is magical,” said Anderson, who had six members of his club compete.
The ASC joined teams from as far as Norway, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia.
“Skiers like American Lindsey Vonn started at Whistler Cup,” he said.
Athletes qualified for the Whistler Cup based on their results throughout the year. B.C. had 19 girls and boys qualify. There were 400 skiers at the event.
In under-14 category, Grace Grant, Molly Wells, Mini Gentes and Jessie Howden earned respectable results during the three day event. Out of 100 athletes in each category, Grant’s best result was 35th in the combine, Wells was 41st in the slalom, Gentes 51st in the slalom and Howden was 12th in the combine. In the under-16, Reece Howden, a rookie in that group, earned a 47th -place result.
Grant said she felt some nerves prior to making her first run.
“You don’t know how you will do that first time coming down,” she said. “I was nervous and excited. I have gained confidence from this and now I know what I’m capable of.”
Meg Cumming, a member of the B.C. team, finished 10th overall in the slalom and participated in the awards. Cumming finished sixth overall and was the top Canadian female skier (for her age). Anderson was very happy. He was impressed to see her beat Team Canada members, especially since she didn’t qualify for the team.
“What a memorable Whistler Cup for a girl that has worked so hard this year,” said Anderson. “Meg won every zone race this year, with her big win at provincials at Apex.”
“It was so much fun. I met lots of new people,” she said. “I feel like it was good. It was pretty hard with all those girls from all over.”
Cumming felt nervous at times but loved the excitement and said her result was “super exciting.”
“I feel they were good,” she said of her runs. “It was OK if I didn’t do well. I was just focused on having fun.”
And she was really happy with her season with the Whistler trip, just the icing on the cake.
Anderson was more than happy with how all six skiers performed.
“For Molly, Grace, Mini and Jessie to experience the whole thing was a great thing to do,” he said.
Anderson added that the club had a great season with strong results.
“We are looking forward to next year,” said Anderson.