For the sixth consecutive year, the ski and snowboard team from Chatelech Secondary School has earned a berth into the provincial championships.
Chat won the boys' North Shore league banner this year with another solid season of racing, while the girls' team won the zone banner for snowboarding the previous two years.
The team has been running at Chat for six years under the guidance of teacher Jamie Mani who says dedication has been the main ingredient to the team's success.
"We train weekly by doing a dry-land training workout. This has a focus on balance, agility and strength training," he said. "We started dry-land training in November and we are also involved in an exhibition league in Whistler to train for the zone finals."
Chat raced six times this season at Whistler Blackcomb with each race earning podium finishes in skiing and snowboarding. Top 10 results were the norm this year. In a recent boarder cross/ski cross race, Chat had the first place finish for boys' ski and a second place finish for boys' snowboard. At the zone finals, the boys' snowboard team finished first, second, seventh and 10th respectively, winning the banner.
The boys' snowboard team consists of Andrew Flockhart (Grade 12), Jarrett Porter (Grade 12), Rowan Baker-French (Grade 12), Graden Deasey (Grade 11), Caleb Burnham (Grade 11), Quinn White (Grade 10), Jasper Deasey (Grade 9), Callum Rive (Grade 9) and Cody Angus (Grade 8).
The boys' ski team consists of Jaques Martiquet (Grade 12), Sean Clarke (Grade 12), Scott Parfitt (Grade 11), Duncan Bryson (Grade 11), Sebastien Dunst (Grade 10) and Jason Fournier (Grade 8).
The girls' ski team consists of Talia Cole (Grade 12), Philine Pasda (Grade 11) and Ingrid Bryson (Grade 8).
Mani said the boys' ski and snowboard teams both qualified for the provincials set for March 4 to 6 in Smithers, but due to travel costs, only four racers will be going.
"Our boys' snowboard team has a good shot at a podium finish for the provincials and we will likely see some top 10 placements by individuals," said Mani. "Our one lone boys' skier will have a good shot at a top 10 finish overall and perhaps a podium finish in one of the two events they race in [giant slalom and ski cross]."
Anyone interested in assisting with fundraising efforts can drop off or mail a cheque to Chatelech Secondary School. Charitable donation receipts are available.
"It has been a pleasure coaching the team over the years," Mani said. "After creating this team and coaching it for six years, I have decided that this will be my last season. I feel I am leaving on a good note. I have seen so many great kids come through the team and work very hard to achieve amazing results - three North Shore zone banners - and this year I am seeing kids graduate after racing with me for four years and making it to the provincial championships."
