FREESTYLE:

B.C. freestyler Little shines at Canada Post Junior Nationals

March 16, 2011 — CFSA

Organizers and coaches said last week’s Canada Post Junior Nationals Championships in Jasper, Alta., showcased some of the highest-caliber talent the country has ever seen in big-air, slopestyle and moguls.

“I was very impressed with the field, particularly in the youth and juvenile categories,” said B.C. team coach Andrew Clough. “No doubt there is a very strong and deep talent pool in Canada.”

The Jasper Freeride Ski Team hosted 140 athletes from seven provinces at the four-day event at Marmot Basin.

Club President and Chief of Competition Cam Jenkins said that for his relatively small club, it was a stretch to put on such a big event, but, he explained, with incredible support from the mountain; a strong and experienced parent group; and, volunteers from other provinces, they succeeded in pulling off an event he was proud of.

“For many of the athletes at this level, this might be the biggest event of their career,” said Jenkins. “For that reason, we put all our heart and soul into making it the best event it could be. At the end of the day our club busted its hump, and the prize was that we saw the best young athletes in Canada compete here on some amazing courses.”

Emily Little, 18, from Apex, B.C., took home gold medals in moguls and dual moguls. She said, “I really, really enjoyed the course and the competition was great. I’d like to thank all the volunteers who worked super-hard to put on this event for us.”

Event chairman Scott Eady added that the event would not have been possible without the support of Canada Post, Marmot Basin, Décor Hotels, Subway and Freewheel Cycle.

The streaming video of junior nationals is archived at http://www.livestream.com/thehabitat, courtsey of Dave Baker and Rogers Communications.

Full event results are available at: http://www.freestyleski.com/page.php?la=en&pa=team&id=schedule.