May 27/09 12:56 pm - Valemount Secondary School Wins Mountain Bike Provincial Championship

Posted by Editoress on 05/27/09
 

May 23rd, Valemount BC


Valemount Secondary School, with a student population of 100 students, defeated 17 other AA and AAA schools from all over the province to win its first provincial title at home. With fully 25% of the students in the school participating on the team, Valemount competed in every category and dominated in total points. The challenging course, designed for the provincial championships, winds up into the Rocky Mountains from the edge of town, and contained some of the most varied terrain in the province.

Valemount Secondary School, with a student population of 100 students, defeated 17 other AA and AAA schools from all over the province to win its first provincial title at home. With fully 25% of the students in the school participating on the team, Valemount competed in every category and dominated in total points.

Coaches from cycling hotbeds such as Squamish and North Vancouver praised the course and the organization as the "best ever" in the 12 year history of High School Mountain Bike Championships. Coach Les van der Roest, the hosting coach, stated that "after coming second so many times it was nice to win and win on home turf.

Saturday's races began with riders lining up from as far away as Whistler, the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan. There were 170 participants in all. The course, which included some longer climbs, beautiful vistas and technical descents, brought the praises of both riders and spectators alike.

Individual Winners:

Senior Boys: Dan Scott  (Victoria High)
Senior Girls: Eden Imbeau  (Howe Sound Secondary)
Jr. Boys: Josh Vetter (AL Fortune Secondary)
Jr. Girls: Lauren Rosser (Howe Sound Secondary)
Juvenile Boys: Louis Dillon (Chatelech Secondary)
Juvenile Girls: Maia Kilby (Don Ross Secondary)
Bantam Boys: John Connor (Shuswap Middle)
Bantam Girls: Teri-Rose Davis (Don Ross)

The event began with a downtown dirt Criterium race in which 100 of the province's most promising riders competed for prizes and big air in front of the packed streets of Valemount.

This was a provincial championship with a community spirit that all competitors, coaches and spectators thoroughly enjoyed. Next year's Provincial Championships are being held in Whistler where Valemount's riders hope to repeat. It is hoped that the spirit of 2010 will ignite what is sure to be another successful championship.


Full results

Report and photo courtesy Les van der Roest, Valemount Secondary School