Whistler (BC), Canada – Some members of the men’s Canadian Alpine Ski Team are bringing the 2009-10 ski racing season to an end by holding a ski camp for deserving young ski racers in British Columbia.nThe Mike and Manny Cowboys Camp, now in its third season, is bringing 12 junior skiers this year to Whistler for the camp from April 28th to May 1st.
The camp is run by World Cup winner Manuel Osborne-Paradis of nearby Vancouver, and 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships medalist Michael Janyk of Whistler, along with “guest coach” Robbie Dixon, also of Whistler.
“Even though we have grown the camp from 10 kids in the first year to now accepting 12 kids from all over B.C., we still would love to bring more young racers in the coming years as so many of them are very deserving,” said Osborne-Paradis.
This free ski camp is intended to help young racers who might otherwise be unable to attend high level off-season training. The skiers, each members of BC Alpine that are entering their first or second year FIS were selected based on a short letter of 400 words in order to explain why they should get picked for that camp accompanied by a letter of support from their coach.
“This year was the toughest selection year of all with almost double the number of applicants from previous years. All of the kids who wrote in, had amazing stories to tell and showed great passion for the sport of skiing,” said Osborne-Paradis, who had two World Cup victories in the 2009-10 season.
All the kids will live and stay under one roof and get the full experience of what it is like to be at a ski camp with members of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. The young racers will work on slalom, giant slalom, free skiing, drills and gate training.
ATHLETES
BOYS
- Alex Duchesne – Revelstoke Ski Club
- Broderick Thompson – Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Julian Brumec – Parsons- Mount Seymour Ski Club
- Julien Bernard – Fernie Alpine Ski Team
- Kelley Humphreys – Red Mountain Racers
- Nolan Walls – Kimberley North Star Racers
GIRLS
- Alix Wells – Prince George Ski Club
- Elie Taillefer – Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Emilie Tremblay – Vernon Ski Club
- Hallie MacLachlan – Fernie Alpine Ski Team
- Hannah Kapur – Mount Seymour Ski Club
- Madison Haynes – Windermere Valley Ski Club