Hemlock Ski Team members racing at the K2 and J giant slalom (GS) races at Mount Washington were given an unexpected treat last weekend by meeting Kwame “The Snow Leopard” Nkrumah-Acheampong, the first man from Ghana to ski race at an Olympic Games this past February in Whistler.
He was given the honour of forerunning the race course before the athletes started their timed runs.
Four members of the Hemlock ski team participated in the GS races this past weekend, with Mission’s Natasha Crick having the best finish for the team when she placed 17th out of 32 skiers in the first girl’s race.
Accompanying Natasha on the ski team were Anders and Connor Liljedahl of Port Moody and Surrey’s Nicholas Mitro.
The weekend before, nearly 20 Hemlock Ski Club racers competed in the Manning-Hemlock Invitational Ski Race which saw the local team snag several gold medals.
The second annual race saw a giant slalom (GS) competition run in the morning, with a slalom rounding out the day. A total of 42 junior ski racers ranging from 5 to 14 years old participated in the event including 19 from Hemlock. Braydin Bourdin, Chase Burns, Sydney Kardoes, Justin Ross, Katrina Voss and Kelsey Voss all won a pair of gold medals, while Kadyn Farrer won a single gold.
The fun race is designed for Nancy Greene and K1 level junior skiers to introduce them to the sport.
For more information visit www.hemlockskiclub.com.