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Gillespie looks to graduate to FIS racing

Mike Gillespie is at the top of his class. In his final year before graduating to FIS racing, he decimated the competition during the final month of the Alpine ski season.

Mike Gillespie is at the top of his class. In his final year before graduating to FIS racing, he decimated the competition during the final month of the Alpine ski season.

Peaking at the right moment, Canmore’s Gillespie ended his season as the top K2 male (14 year old) in the province and won two junior medals at the Canadian ski nationals at Nakiska.

He won the top Canadian award in the slalom and a silver in the super combined. The skier helped Canada win the Whistler Cup recently after he was paired with three of the best K2 skiers in the country. Gillespie did not look out of place.

“It’s been a really good season and really fun, too,” Gillespie said.

His results have improved across the spectrum and he’s enjoying speed events this year.

“Some of the speed events felt more natural. It made more sense to me this year,” Gillespie said.

Draped in denim at the Bozo cup, Rob Bosinger style, Gillespie was one of the young skiers to watch. He didn’t perform as well as he would have hoped, however, he took some time to learn from the pros, studying winner Jan Hudec and runner-up Thomas Grandi as they carved up the course.

“It’s cool to watch them ski and their technique. I met Grandi a little while ago and he gave me tips about pre-race routine,” Gillespie said.

He’ll spend the summer attending a training camp at Mount Hood and more time mountain biking with his friends. His coaches say it’s tough to get him off of his skis.

“He has an awesome work ethic. You pretty much have to tell him to take a day off,” said K2 coach Charlie Wright. “The kid will be on skis every day if you let him.”

Wright worked on Gillespie’s technical skills this year, which were hindered by hip problems at the beginning of the season.

“He’s one of the best guys in his age group in Canada right now,” Wright said. “Next year, he graduates to FIS and will be the little fish in the big pond, but he’ll be okay there. He’s an athletic kid. You can put him on any pair of skis anywhere and he’ll do fine.”

The hip problems didn’t slow him down at nationals, and he keeps plugging away with the technical aspect of his racing, working toward his long-term goal of making the national team. But in the end, he’s just looking to have a good time at the hill.

“It’s fun to be with friends on the mountain and get some adrenaline,” Gillespie said.


Rocky Mountain Outlook

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