Strong Competition at U16 Provincial Series Final
Nakiska, AB – The U16 Provincial Finals at Nakiska Ski Area provided a fitting conclusion to the season, bringing together Alberta’s top U16 athletes for a highly competitive and rewarding series of races.
The event featured Super-G and Giant Slalom on Map Maker, alongside Slalom on Whoop-Up, offering athletes a well-rounded test across all disciplines. A highlight of the week was the Super-G, which ran the full length of the venue to the bottom of the chair, creating a demanding and exciting course of approximately 75 seconds. This longer format challenged athletes’ endurance, ability to glide, focus, and tactical execution, and was a standout experience for many competitors.
Adding to the depth and energy of the event and following Alberta Alpine’s development opportunity philosphy, second-year U14 athletes were invited to compete in the Giant Slalom and Slalom races. Their participation provided a valuable development opportunity and a unique chance to race alongside U16 athletes. It was encouraging to see these younger competitors rise to the challenge, gaining experience while contributing to a strong and competitive race environment.
The Slalom event on Whoop-Up pushed athletes further, featuring long courses that were the maximum vertical for their age category. Combined with some challenging snow conditions throughout the week, the races required adaptability, resilience, and determination. Athletes responded with strong performances, demonstrating not only technical ability but also the kind of perseverance and character that defines high-level alpine racing.
A significant contributor to the success of the event was the Nakiska Race Organizing Committee (ROC), which was uniquely assembled from clubs and volunteers across the province. This collaborative approach brought together a wealth of experience and commitment, and the result was a professionally delivered event under demanding conditions. Alberta Alpine extends its sincere and heartfelt thanks to the entire ROC for their leadership, flexibility, and dedication to creating a high-quality competition environment for all athletes.
The U16 Finals also marked the conclusion of the season-long U16 series, recognizing consistent excellence across all disciplines. On the women’s side, Ellie Hyndman (Banff Alpine Racers) claimed top honors with 705 points, followed by Sofia Pelkey (Calgary Alpine Racing Club) with 451 points, and Juliet Boskovich (Team Panorama) in third with 402 points.
In the men’s series standings, Conrad MacPherson (Banff Alpine Racers) secured first place with 670 points. He was followed by Charles Blouin (Calgary Alpine Racing Club) in second with 520 points, and Samuel Richardson (Calgary Alpine Racing Club) rounding out the podium in third with 452 points. These results reflect not only strong performances at Finals, but a season of consistent effort, resilience, and competitive excellence.
Overall, the U16 Finals at Nakiska were marked by a high standard of competition and a positive, development-focused atmosphere. The event served as an important milestone for athletes as they closed out their season, with many stepping up to meet new challenges and showcasing their growth over the winter.
Full results from the event are available here: https://albertaalpine.ca/calendar/#6354