Chief of Course Report


Canadian National Junior (J1) Championships


Well, we did it again!! 

Whistler Weasel Worker John BenbowI know that there were a lot of thanks handed out at the nightly Beer Tent during events but not everyone was there every night, so I hope that this reaches all of our many volunteers and contributors.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for a big job well done!

We provided a world-class track and race for junior ski racers from across Canada, from the USA and from many other countries and gave our kids a unique ski racing experience.

When the decision was made to do a pre-race setup on the weekend of February 21st and 22nd it was for 2 reasons:  One was to get a jump on the setup for the J1 Nationals and the second was to create a safe environment for our national men’s team while training on the Dave Murray Olympic Downhill. 

We were not asked by anyone to take this action but I can tell you that it has not been over looked. As Bob Miller later announced in the Beer Tent, Max Gardner of ACA called B.C. Alpine president Robin McFarlane to let him know how pleased ACA and the National Team were with the course preparation, and to please pass on the Team's gratitude to the Weasel organization for taking the initiative in providing such a high level of safety for the team.   

While they were here, the Team coaches also expressed their thanks and made this statement, “This does not happen any where else in the world. Our team has their own private downhill because of the Weasels”. We also need to thank Whistler Blackcomb for their tremendous cooperation and VANOC for months of effort in track preparation that resulted in perfect snow conditions.

Was it a very successful training camp for our boys? We think so!  Our National Speed Team left us for Norway, where they won one gold, one bronze and eight top tens the following weekend.  I think that we can safely say we contributed to these great results. 

The following Thursday the Weasel Army arrived for "day one" of the J1 setup. In each of the mornings of Feb. 26th and 27th we were treated to four training runs of the National men’s team and then it was off to work we went. 

We covered off any and all possible weather conditions "Ole Mother Nature" could throw at us and yet the crews never waivered. Plans were adapted, races were shifted around, and we had a 100% success rating for the event. We started with -19deg C temperatures and blue skies, and worked through 25cm of snow, slalomed in a monsoon and completed with a record 1.5hr tear-down program.  

While I was standing at the start ramp on that one rainy morning,  a coach skied past with an umbrella.  I wondered to myself, “what the hell am I doing here”.  However, before the morning was over, the sun was out and we got off all of the races planned for the day. 

I would like to acknowledge some key people who made my job easy:

Chief of Race: Gary Taylor handled all the outside the fences organization and allowed us to build a world-class track without any interference.

Coordinators: Bob Miller, Ron Hunter, Dave Shefley (Shef,) and Dave Oser, kept everyone well organized and productive.

Equipment: Bill Cuthbert (B.C). and Natalie Pearlman, under a new system had our crews supplied with anything that was called for.

Technical Delegates: Bill Guensch and Amanda Shaw allowed us to move races around and worked with every decision and plan that was put forward.

ACA: Dan Gallagher is always a pleasure to work with and always has something to teach us. We appreciate his unbelievable work ethic.

VANOC:  Rod MacLeod, Jelly, and all of the Net Crew, Groomers and Snowmakers worked so hard to prepare both the tracks, to rig the A-Nets and always lent a helping hand in so many ways.

Beer Tent:  Special thanks to Michelle (Chief of Beer) and to Owen for looking after all of the volunteer needs.

The team coaches and all the racers:  For helping our Weasel Course crew achieve a record tear-down.  After a week`s hard work with very early mornings, it was a treat for our crew to get so much friendly help and to have an opportunity to work a little with these talented young people.  Jelly, the Net Crew boss, was heard to comment, "These nets seem to be rolled a lot better than last year".  

From the early morning course-set crews to the gate judges, the security crew and everyone in between this was a great effort by all and everyone involved should be very proud of our accomplishments. If hosting ski races were easy, anyone could do it.  You all showed that it takes very special people to come out and do what we do,  to work as a team in all kinds of weather, and to be back the next time the call goes out,  and to do it all again.  

I really enjoyed working with each and every one one of you. Now, please get some rest and sharpen your edges for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.  I look forward to working with you next year. 

Sincerely

John “Bamboo” Benbow

Chief of Course, Dave Murray Olympic Downhill