UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE FOR U16 ATHLETES IN ABETONE, ITALY
The Alberta Alpine Ski Association (AASA) sent six U16 athletes to represent the province in Abetone, Italy at the 44th Edition of Pinocchio on Skis international race series.
Led by coaches Erin Fynn and Johnny Bennett, these young athletes were exposed to many new and valuable experiences both on and off the hill. Traveling overseas for the first time as competitors and managing all their gear, fatigue, plus new and somewhat unfamiliar surroundings was just the beginning. Cultural differences, from the food, languages and customs – even the assertiveness in the lift line-ups was very eye opening for them! – so much was new. And when introduced to the European athletes, initially they saw only the differences… and then very quickly saw the similarities they shared.
The actual races exposed these athletes to international competition, including international seeding and varied rules, but also the realization they could punch in! Ellie Hyndman scored an impressive 5th place in the Slalom behind athletes from Italy, Croatia, and Great Britain. She also cracked the top 15 in GS with teammates Ainsley Langley Taylor landing in 16th and Maddie Wickins close behind in 20th, all less than .9 tenths apart. The boys also finished the GS in the top 30 within 5 places and 1 second of each other in their 2-run GS race. The Men’s slalom race proved to be a bit ‘spicy’ to say the least, getting the better of our boys who did not finish, but delivered meaningful experience nonetheless.
But they didn’t just ‘represent’ on the race course. After first arriving to very thin snow conditions, Abetone was hit with huge snowfall and the Albertan contingent took advantage of the powder day by free-skiing and were proud of being recognized as the “crazy” Canadians for wanting to go off-piste. That will be a fond memory for all of them, as will some of the other highlights the athletes listed off, including, “standing in the start and realizing I was racing in Italy!”
From waving the Canadian flag during the Parade of Nations, meeting and getting to know other athletes that were staying at the same hotel and enjoying croissants in the breakfast spread every morning, the competition atmosphere in Abetone was one of those experiences-of-a-lifetime many only just hear of.
Traveling beyond the venue, the team visited Venice on a day off and more memories were made, from the gelato, the alleyways, the waterways, the basilicas, and (of course) the pizza!
Congratulations to the Alberta athletes Ellie Hyndman, Ainsley Langley Taylor, Madeline Wickins, Henry Petersen, Charles Blouin and Holt Mackenzie who boarded the plane on Day 1 as friends and acquaintances and returned home after so many shared experiences as family.
For race results from the international Pinocchio on Skis, follow the link >>