Whistler (BC), Canada – Canadian World Cup alpine ski racers Manuel Osborne-Paradis and Mike Janyk will welcome aspiring ski racers from across Canada to Whistler, British Columbia, later this month for their fifth annual kids’ camp.
It’s the first time “Mike & Manny’s Camp” has expanded outside British Columbia and this year’s program will feature a record number of attendees – 16 deserving young skiers from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, as well as B.C.
“I was riding the chairlift with three ex-campers one day and I thought, ‘This is really cool. We’ve created a connection between the World Cup and the younger levels of racing in Canada,’ ” said Whistler native Janyk, one of the world’s top ranked slalom racers. “That’s a lasting legacy of these camps and I remember saying to Manny, ‘We’ve got to do this across the country. We need to invite kids from coast to coast.’
“We’re really excited to be bringing more kids from across Canada. It seems like every year one of us comes up with a new idea for where to take things.”
The annual kids’ camp, which is free of charge, is open to first- and second-year FIS (International Ski Federation) racers – aged 16 and 17 – who might not otherwise be able to attend a top-level off-season training program. Potential applicants were asked to write a letter outlining why they should be picked, accompanied by a recommendation from their coach. A committee then selected 16 lucky racers, who will take part in the camp in Whistler from April 24-28.
“It’s for kids and families who can’t afford to go to summer ski camps all over the world,” said Osborne-Paradis, of Vancouver, British Columbia, a three-time World Cup winner and two-time Olympian who is nearing a return to competitive racing following a leg injury. “My family made lots of sacrifices for me. We were fortunate to be part of Whistler Mountain Ski Club and there were lots of families who helped us out. I made it and we didn’t have all the money in the world. You need to have people supporting you and backing you and this is just part of that.
“The goal of the camp has always been the same. The kids are learning from their friends what we are looking for, which is need and passion for the sport.”
During the camp, all 16 attendees will stay together in one of two houses to get a sense of what it feels like to be “on the road” with members of the national ski team. In addition to doing dryland training, they will work on slalom, giant slalom, free skiing, drills and gates, among other things. Eight guest coaches will work with the kids, including three current Canadian Alpine Ski Team racers in Janyk, Osborne-Paradis and Whistler’s Robbie Dixon.
“We will work with them on tactics – how they can become better skiers and approach courses mentally and physically,” said Osborne-Paradis.
Tickets are still available for a fundraiser, which will be held at the Miele kitchen in Vancouver on Saturday April 28, at 7 p.m. The event includes a reception with Janyk and Osborne-Paradis, raffle gifts, fine food and wine.
“We’ve got a DJ, great auction items and a trip to Vancouver Island on offer,” said Osborne-Paradis. “It’s going to be a great event.”
To make a donation to Mike & Manny’s Camp, or to purchase a fundraising ticket, go to www.mikeandmanny.org.
Team for 2012 Mike & Manny’s Camp:
Ladies:
Madison Brainard – Vancouver Ski Team
Cassidy Deane – Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Chantal Deane – Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Noémie Petit – Revelstoke Ski Club
Meg Currie – Osler Ski Club
Megan Henkelman – National Alpine Training Centre
Men:
Connor Callaghan – Big White Racers/Kelowna Ski Club
Cole Smith – Revelstoke Ski Club
Kyle Yates – Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Stuart Finley – Fernie Alpine Ski Team
Levi Keay – Vancouver Ski Team
Paul Cotton – Vancouver Ski Team
Alexis Asselin – Outaouais Ski Team
Gabriel Lafontaine – Club de Ski Mont Tremblant
Michael Soetaert – Snow Valley Ski Team
Maclean Hatherly – Summit Ski Club