FREESTYLE:

Halifax Canada Winter Games elevates the stars of tomorrow

Feb. 19, 2011 — CFSA

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Over the past seven days, young freestyle skiers from across the country have had the opportunity to compete for their home provinces at the 2011 Halifax Canada Winter Games.

Athletes competed in halfpipe, big-air, moguls and dual moguls. British Columbia and Quebec skied away with the lion’s share of the hardware — nine medals for each province — with Ontario earning five and Alberta earning four. But the athletes and coaches who competed here know that the medals are only part of the story.

For sure it was a demanding week for the young athletes, all aged between 14 and 18. For virtually all of them, this was the biggest sporting event they’d been part of and their first time attending a multi-sport athletic event. What’s more, besides the normal challenges inherent in this level of competition, freestyle athletes and their coaches also had to contend with a bed bug infestation in their accommodation; the ensuing move to first an army base and then a new hotel; the resulting longer-than-anticipated daily drive between their new digs and the venue, Ski Wentworth; and, schedule changes.

As testament to the coaches and the Games organizers, the lodging snafu didn’t seem to affect the athletes, who wowed Canadian Freestyle Ski Association officials with their incredible level of talent and skill across the disciplines.

“I was impressed with the internal fortitude and mental toughness I witnessed this week,” said CFSA CEO Peter Judge. “All in all there is great depth in this crop of athletes and a sophisticated level of support from the coaches, many of whom are former national team level athletes themselves. It is reassuring to see this recycling of talent and it ensures we will be able to deliver a great product down the line.”

In fact, since freestyle’s introduction to the Canada Winter Games in 1999, the event has served as a harbinger of long-term talent in the country. Current Canadian national team members Jenn Heil, Chloé Dufour-Lapointe and Cedric Rochon were Canada Winter Games champions, as was retired moguls skier Vincent Marquis.

That’s good news for double moguls champions at this year’s games, Andi Naude from Penticton, B.C., and Simon Lemieux from Repentigny, Que. Both Naude and Lemieux have national team and Olympic aspirations.

“I was super-proud to represent my province and I had a great time here. It was so great to see all these people come out and the awesome facilities and services for this event. Everybody was so nice,” said the 15-year-old Naude.

Lemieux, 18, said, “This was the biggest event I’ve ever been in. I was nervous but I just tried to think about positive things and concentrate on my runs.”

But it wasn’t just the winners and the big four provinces who came away with something from these games. There were numerous smaller, but equally brilliant experiences. Like the Yukon’s Anatole Tuzlak, who made it to the single moguls finals, a first for any skier from the Yukon. Or, the fact that host-province competitors Emma Stevens (Hilden), Colin Sutherland (Halifax) and Austin Landry (Sackville) jumped their way into the finals of the big-air competition; a first for Nova Scotia and a fact that wasn’t missed by the boisterous hometown fans who showed support with raucous approbation.

No doubt we will be hearing from many of these young athletes again soon.

The CFSA wishes to thank the volunteers from Nova Scotia Freestyle, who helped put on a great show for the teams, spectators and sponsors. Ski Wentworth and Nova Scotia now have excellent legacy sites and equipment, and CFSA looks forward to seeing the next generation of great freestyle athletes coming out of the Maritimes.

The CFSA also thanks the Canada Games Council, the host society of the Halifax 2011 Canada Winter Games, and partners, sponsors and suppliers.

Top three results from the 2011 Halifax Canada Winter Games :

Dual Moguls – Feb. 18, 2011
Women
1)      Andi Naude, Penticton, BC
2)      Myriam LeClerc, Beaconsfield, QC
3)      Katrine Bazinet, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
Men
1)      Simon Lemieux, Repentigny, QC
2)      Zac Hoffman, Thornhill, ON
3)      Hugo Blanchette, Saint-Laurent, QC
Moguls – Feb. 17, 2011
Women
1)      Andi Naude, Penticton, BC 24.42
2)      Katrine Bazinet, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC         23.14
3)      Julie Bureau, QC        23.09
Men
1)      Simon Lemieux, Repentigny, CQC        24.14
2)      Kerrian Chunlaud, Quebec City, QC         23.59
3)      Luke Ulsifer, Calgary, AB           23.11

Hybrid Air – Feb. 16, 2011
Women:
1)      Cassie Sharpe, Comox, BC         56.60
2)      Jillian Gordon, Thornbury, ON        56.30
3)      Yuki Tsubota, Pemberton, BC         56.01
Men:
1)      Max Heard, Lake Cowichan, BC          75.90
2)      Noah Morrison, Vernon, BC         75.21
3)      Evan McEachran, Oakville, ON        74.52
Halfpipe – Feb. 13, 2011
Women:
1)      Megan Fiselier, Calgary, AB        35.3
2)      Dara Howell, Huntsville, ON        35.0
3)      Jillian Gordon, Thornbury, ON        31.2
Men:
1)      Aaron Mackay, Calgary, AB        38.4
2)      Max Heard, Lake Cowichan, BC        38.0
3)      Hunter Visser, Penticton, BC        37.1
3.)      Austin Hunter, Calgary, AB        37.1
3.)      Hugo Blanchette, Quebec City, QC        37.1