By Angelica Ingram
March 14 2017
Racers from across the globe embraced chilly weather and exhilarating speeds on March 11 and 12 to participate in the Fédération Internationale de Ski/International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Cross Race at Sir Sam’s Ski and Bike.
The two-day event included racers age 16 and up with a few younger racers as well from Canada the U.S.A and Japan.
Victoria Fenninger who runs the racing program at Sir Sam’s was instrumental in bringing the event to the Haliburton Highlands said Sir Sam’s owner/operator Chris Bishop.
Many coaches and skiers commended Sir Sam’s on the event complimenting the efficiency and organization of the race.
“It was a great experience” said a member of the four-person racing team from Japan.
Technical delegate for FIS Jim Hemlin said the race provided lots of good training for the athletes.
According to Sir Sam’s ski cross involves pitting four skiers racing head-to-head on a track with jumps rollers and a variety of features.
“Attracting a race of this caliber is exactly what we had in mind when we modified our ski and boardercross track earlier this year” stated Bishop in a press release. “There is great value to our business our tourism region and even the province in bringing a race of this size.”
Fenninger has been running a ski cross program at Sir Sam’s for the past three years and says it has been a big boon to the local ski hill to have such a high calibre event as it provides development for skiers and training for coaches.
She says the race was made possible due to collaboration and co-operation among many groups.
“It’s exciting to see clubs and groups come together you can’t do it alone” said Fenninger.