Batawa racers win six medals in season-opening competitions
By Paul Svoboda (Intelligencer)
Count members of the Batawa Ski Club among those who were happy with last weekend’s snowfall in the Quinte region.
The mostly green winter in the area hasn’t made for ideal training conditions for the local ski racers, but that was hardly evident in some strong performances turned in by Batawa athletes on the road last weekend.
Seven travelling teams are representing Batawa this season, with six of them competing for the first time in 2012. The lone exception were the K1 Tigers (11- and 12-year-olds), who start their season this weekend.
Caroline Burchat of the K-2 Bandits led all Batawa skiers with a gold medal and high score of 50 points while competing at The Heights of Horseshoe, near Barrie.
Here’s how Batawa skiers fared:
K-2 BOMBERS
Coached by Mark Kellar, the locals skied a tricky slalom course against Skyloft at Hidden Valley where four Batawa competitors earned medals. Amy Park won silver and Renee Lamoureaux captured a bronze in girls competition while Kurtis Wright (silver) and Petru-ioan Obreja (bronze) both medalled on the boys side.
Final score: Batawa 232, Skyloft 232.
K-2 BANDITS
Along with Burchat’s gold in the girls competition, Batawa’s Natalie Wannamaker also hit the podium. She took silver with 45 points.
Other scorers were Elizabeth Hurley, 32; Olivia Podscianski, 30; Jared Taylor, 30; Andrew Brown, 28; and Mathew Doxtator, 26.
Final score: Heights of Horseshoe 279, Batawa 241.
“I was proud of the combined scores at our first race,” said Bandits coach, Brian Wannamaker. “Everyone skied two consistent runs, which were needed in the K-2 scoring category. It’s a good foundation to build the rest of the season on.”
PREDATORS
Competing at Horseshoe Vally near Barrie, and coached by Julie and David McPherson, the locals faced some stiff rivals in severely cold conditions. Batawa competed against Cobble Hills, scoring 141 points against 219. Leading the Batawa team were Jillian Madden, Maggie Chalk, Meg Bashall, Nikolas McPherson, Ella Cooney and Lydia Schmoll.
K-1 DRAGONS
At Hockley Valley near Orangeville, Batawa skiers kicked-off their season in icy conditions that made for a challenging run. It proved to be a tough day for the locals who managed 184 points, finishing behind the Devil’s Elbow Renegades (210) and Mount St. Louis-Moonstone (292). Strong runs came from Hope Saunders, Zoe Gram, Patrick Burchat and William Rae.
WILDCATS
Batawa’s Nancy Greene Team gave Snow Vally all it could handle, finishing just two points behind the host club, 216-214.
