Podium of Life

Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 6:57 AM
By Jet Newsroom
Courtenay

The first of the BC Freestyle ski series took place last weekend at Apex Mountain Resort. The Mount Washington Freestyle Club, who trains on the weekend, sent a strong team. Some of the members are also a part of the Podium of Life Ski Academy and get to train during the week when they are on the mountain for school.

Watch out for the up and coming girls, as they may dominate the BC Freestyle Series in the years to come. There are 8 girls in a 3 year age range that train together on Mount Washington. Erin Sketchley, who attend the Podium of Life, had her first appearances on the podium. Mei Pond, Hannah Benischek, and Maddison Heisterman (past POL member) have been on the podium in the past while Kristen Gage (POL attendee) is getting very close to cracking the top 3.

Teal Harle, whose family founded the Podium of Life Ski Academy, is happy with a silver medal after being away from competition for a year when he crashed last year at Apex.

Donnie Ottosen (past POL member) put on a show in big air and slope style taking home a gold medal in each. In big air he slid in backward and rotated 2 and a half times before landing.

This event was a qualifier for the BC winter games and the following skiers have qualified:

Boys going are: Teal Harle, Todd Heard, Riley Heard, Layne Anvelt, Stewart Walker & Michael Beniski.

Girls going are: Tasha Benischek, Emma Benischeck, and Hannah Benischek.

Erin Sketchley is first on the list of substitutes for our girls.

 

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