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Phoenix Mountain hosts Nancy Greene Ski League finals

Phoenix mountain racers take silver and bronze at the West Kootenay Zone ski finals.

Phoenix Mountain was a hive of activity March 10 when it hosted the Nancy Greene Ski League finals for the West Kootenay Zone.

Due to some amazing support from a hardworking crew of volunteers, the day was a huge success.

Our own Phoenix Mountain Racers entered two teams and took home silver and bronze, while Whitewater took first place out of a field of 13 teams – 120 racers overall. Teams came from Red Mountain, Whitewater, Salmo and Summit Lake to race the fast giant slalom course.

“We had a super turnout for our race,” commented Astrid Kihl, one of three head coaches for the Phoenix team. “Our own kids, even the youngest and newest to the team, all raced except for two kids who were ill. For a few, like Danica and Danae Roodzant and Zaylen Romaine it was their first race ever.

“I’m seeing way more confidence in these young racers. Having everyone participate in the zone final was the icing on the cake to wrap up a terrific season. It’s been an awesome year for the club – lots of fun and great effort by all the kids,” Kihl said.

New to this year’s zone final was a coaches’ only race, with 14 coaches from all the hills competing. Guy Forand-Choiniere and Bill Ahrens represented Phoenix. Forand-Choiniere set a blistering pace netting him the gold. Ahrens, 69, placed respectably in the middle of the pack racing against several coaches in their 20s.

“It was a lot of fun to get in there and race the course all our kids had just finished. The crowd was all for it,” Ahrens said.

– Submitted by Nancy Gabrielse