A total of ten skiers, including two newcomers, were recently named to BC Alpine's 2023 Training Group. The roster includes three Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) athletes: Sascha Gilbert, Alexa Brownlie and Erin Husken.
Gilbert is one of four who have outright met qualification requirements. He, along with Fernie's Dylan Timm, Oliver Young of Coldstream and Dylan Stevens from North Vancouver can call themselves fully-fledged members of the BC Ski Team.
Brownlie and Husken aren't there yet, but as members of the women's training group, they're now one step closer to making the team. The pair will join Vancouverite Mila Plavsic, Kelowna's Shayna Little and Jasmine Carbrough from Salmon Arm for a training camp this month in Fernie.
"This is where the team comes together to push out of their comfort zone, solidify themselves as a team and build a strong culture as well as explore a new community in B.C.,” said women’s head coach Montana Molyneux in a press release.
“The returning athletes from the training group have created an environment that fosters respect, focus, hard work and fun, which will be exciting for our newest training group athlete Jasmine. Together, this group can continue to challenge each other to grow as athletes and teammates.”
The men are also in Fernie for July, where head coach Morgan Pridy looks forward to continue building a foundation for Gilbert and company, as well as men's training group member Baptise Cais from Field.
"It’s very exciting to have the core group of guys back for the new season,” he said in a release. “They worked hard last year to build up a strong foundation and also discovered the demands of a full Nor-Am schedule. The group is hungry and has set high expectations moving forward.”
“This time of year is all about building trust and connection between coaches and athletes,” added BC Alpine vice-president Johnny Crichton. “Find the limits and work together to extend them. It’s all about communication and support through physical challenges to prep the team for the long, arduous season. We have a great crew of coaches and athletes who are fully dedicated to becoming champions!"
