Almost 300 young skiers from across southern Ontario got their race on for one of the biggest ski competitions of the season. The Alpine Ontario Mackenzie U10/U12 Championship Rodeo was hosted by the Muskoka Ski Club (MSC) March 17 to 19 at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area.
Athletes with birthdates between 2005 and 2009 participated in the two divisions, U10 Male and Female and U12 Male and Female.
Muskoka Ski Club U10 competitors were: Nolan Caswell, Oliver Mcmenemy, Owen Patterson, Andrew Maduri, and Tobin Spiers in the male division and Eeva Surbey, Cadence Montgomery, Alayna Heinz, Madeleine Armstrong, and Makena Bijl in the female division.
Muskoka Ski Club U12 competitors were Justin Caswell, Thor Surbey, and Andrew Dussault in the male division; Victoria Knight was the lone MSC female in the category.
Even though these competitors did not make it to the podium they represented their local club well by taking the gates head on and competing with dedication.
A Huntsville local, Jack Campbell, who races out of Georgian Peaks Ski Club, competed in the U12 division for Slalom and placed eighth. Well done Jack!
It was an exceptional three days of ski racing. Friday, March 17 was an optional training day for the athletes. On Saturday, MSC hosted a U10 terrain-based event and the U10 and U12 two-run Giant Slalom events, while Sunday was a two-run Slalom event for all competitors.
There were fun festivities for all with a barbecue lunch on both race days, an event gift, race awards and a banquet dinner for the athletes on Saturday evening at Hidden Valley Resort.
The Muskoka Ski Club thanks all of the sponsors. HEAD Skis gave away eight new pairs of skis over the weekend – this event is one of only two competitions in Ontario that provides those prizes for this age group. There was also more than $5000 in prizes from Sporting Life, Mackenzie Investments, HEAD Skis, Hutcheson, Reynolds and Caswell Insurance, Scott, and Algonquin Outfitters. The annual athletes’ banquet and accommodations were provided by Hidden Valley Resort.
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area will be hosting their final event of the ski season this coming weekend. Don’t miss the annual Puddle Jump and Pancake Dress Up Day on Saturday, March 25. Breakfast will be served for ticket holders at 9 a.m. on the beautiful slopeside deck; the Puddle Jump kicks off at 1 p.m. Come and compete in the brave cold waters or come to cheer the puddle jumpers on. See you there!
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