Scorching dual slalom action, Olympic medallists and memories of Rob Bosinger marked the 2016 edition of the pandaHaus Bozo Cup at Mount Norquay, (April 16-17).
Retired ski cross racer Louis Pierre Helie defeated Alpine Canada’s James Crawford and Canmore favourite Tristan Tafel to win the men’s division, while retired Alberta Alpine athlete Cath Wood downed Emily Shilletto and Wendy Lumby for the women’s title.
Olympic bronze medallist Jan Hudec sponsored this year’s event through his pandaHaus company. Hudec said the race weekend has always been special to him, and he took time to share his memories of Bosinger on Sunday with KinderCup athletes.
“When I was growing up, Rob was the athlete who didn’t win all of the races, but he was always there saying hello to all the kids, asking how you were doing,” Hudec said.
Now in its 11th year, the Rob Bosinger Memorial weekend continues to raise funds for U16 scholarships and SADS, while uniting the ski community for a fun weekend of racing.
Logan Dunn and Cassidy Grey were awarded the scholarships this season.
Hudec said he participates every year he can, and entertained the crowds after the races with his band for a late set at Tommy’s pub in Banff.
The weekend also included awards to the top U16 athletes from the season.
Kiki Alexander from the Kananaskis Alpine Ski Club won the women’s title, followed by Avery Lebsack of Lake Louise and Eleri Smart of Team Panorama.
On the men’s side, William Hansson of Sweden won the men’s title. Thomas Sangwine was second and Jamie Casselman was third.
Alexander, 14, is a Cochrane native who skis out of Nakiska. This was her first big win, and she said a training camp in Colorado truly set the tone for her season early on.
“All the girls really pushed me to be the best I can be,” Alexander said. “My family, my coaches and my friends have been really supportive.”
Hansson skied with the International Racer program and wasn’t present at the Bozo Cup races.
As for the KinderCup, Banff’s Emma Carmichael, Katy Fynn and Jessie Ferguson finished 1, 2, 3 on the day. Carmichael, outfitted in a cow onesie, was dominant all day long in the dual slalom.
“It was a tough race, but it was pretty good,” Carmichael said. “The key was staying in the ruts. It was an easy course, but you had to watch your line.”
Carmichael, 13, said she wants to move on to FIS, and see how skiing goes from there.
Ben Morrish, 15, also of Cochrane, was the man to beat in U16. He bested Jamie Casselman in the final, while Mark-Andre Haley was third.
“I have to credit my coaches,” Morris said. “It’s not necessarily what they said today, but they’ve always been helping me learn and improve.”
Cassidy Grey, of Team Panorama, won the U16 girls KinderCup race.
“I wish all of our races were like that. I was just smiling the whole time,” Grey said. “It turned into a bit of a bobsled track out there, but it’s OK.”
Grey said she didn’t have any big plans to celebrate her win, but her Sunday night was already planned.
“I’ll go home and study for my science test,” she said.
Danny Proffitt won the U14 boys race, followed by Cole Lamoreaux and Slade Hoffman.
In the older categories, many familiar names returned to the podium. Analise Astley won the women’s master’s race over Mischi Boehnisch and Charlie Leon. Andre Quenneville bested Pete Bosinger for the men’s master’s title, while Felix Belczyk was third.
Cam Brewington won the men’s amateur title over Aiden Mills and Geoff Irwin.
