Apex freestyler Nate Parsons described having the Canadian Junior Nationals in his mountain back yard as “really humbling.
“It’s very exciting competing with a bunch of people from around the country who are way better,” said Parsons Saturday prior to the start of his moguls training on Kristi’s Run at Apex Mountain Resort. “It’s very inspirational to watch those other skiers.”
This was the second last day of the Canadian Junior Championships that began Wednesday and included moguls, dual moguls, junior and senior aerials.
Action wraps up Sunday.
Head coach and GM Kenni Kuroda of the Apex Freestyle Club had 10 athletes competing in the event, five girls and five boys, including Parsons.
“We had a great day yesterday (Friday) the moguls conditions were awesome,” said Kuroda, some of whose alumni have gone on to compete against the best in the world. “It’s softer snow conditions than a lot of the easterners are used to but everyone skied very well. It was a great event.”
Related: Top junior skiers in Canada at Apex
Kuroda is a home-grown talent, learning to freestyle ski with his friends at Apex 40 years ago.
During his competitive career Kuroda chalked up a number of victories including World Power 8 champion, Canadian amateur and professional freestyle champion, European professional mogul champion and was a two-time Japanese professional freestyle champion.
Former Apex Club members include seven athletes on the BC mogul team, two on the Alberta squad, one on team Ontario and two Canadian mogul team members.
Sunday’s events kicks off in the morning with women and men’s dual moguls training at 9:15 a.m. followed by the age category competitions at 10:30 a.m. following around 1 p.m. with the awards ceremony for the day.