March 8, 2024

The BC Mogul Team wrapped up their tour on the NORAM Circuit, conquering events at Deer Valley, Apex, Val St Come, and Stratton this season. The athletes, led by Head Coach Sim Lemieux, achieved remarkable feats. 

Kicking off at Deer Valley Resort on the Champions course, renowned as the most challenging mogul course globally, Cole Carey (known as Cowboy Cole) triumphed in the Dual Moguls to victory. Moving to Apex Resort, the team expressed gratitude to Apex Freestyle for hosting a stellar event on their home course. The journey continued to Val Saint-Come, where athletes faced challenging conditions, battling warm weather turning to frigid temperatures, transforming the moguls into icy obstacles that required chainsaws for chopping landings. 

The tour culminated at Stratton Resort in Vermont, with the team delivering an impressive finish. Despite a challenging first day in singles, Sina Clegg rebounded admirably, securing a 3rd place in the Dual Moguls and claiming her first-ever Noram podium.

The Canada Cup events at Panorama and Canyon Resort were equally triumphant for BC Team and BC Club athletes. Panorama witnessed a BC Team sweep of the men’s podium and a clean sweep for the women, with Sina Clegg taking 1st, Chelsea Elliot 2nd, and Miranda Helvoigt 3rd. The action shifted to Canyon Resort in Alberta, where the hunger for more accolades drove the athletes. Shawn Mason secured 3rd in both Duals and Singles, Annika Cooper clinched 1st in singles and 3rd in duals, while Miranda Helvoigt wrapped up the event with a 1st in dual moguls.

As the competitive season nears its end, two significant events remain. Junior Nationals Moguls & Aerials are scheduled for March 20-24th in Whistler, BC, marking the first national event hosted by Freestyle Whistler on the Gemini Mogul course on Blackcomb Mountain. Team BC, represented by 25 provincial athletes, promises an exhilarating watch. Following Junior Nationals, SR Nationals awaits at Val St Come in Quebec, offering qualified athletes the chance to compete against the mogul maestro, Mikael Kingsbury.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Freestyle Canada just revealed that three BC Team athletes have been nominated for JR Worlds 2024 in Valmalenco, Italy. Following Citrine Boychuk’s success at the Youth Olympic Games, Sina Clegg and Cole Carey have each earned spots to showcase their prowess on the world stage. Former BC Team athlete Quinn Dawson is also set to partake in World Jrs. Wishing these athletes the best of luck on this incredible journey.

This season has proven exceptionally demanding for our Park Team, characterized by extensive travel across the continent and adverse weather conditions. Despite these challenges, our athletes have exhibited remarkable resilience and determination.

At the Canada Cups held at Sun Peaks and Horseshoe, our athletes have demonstrated an outstanding performance, boasting a 100% success rate in qualifying for finals. I am particularly proud to acknowledge Eliza Bell’s achievement of her inaugural Canada Cup podium with a notable 3rd place finish at the Sun Peaks Slope event and Gabi Dinn’s 2nd place in the Big Air category at the same venue.

Venturing into the NorAm competitions at Copper Mountain, Colorado, and Mammoth Mountain, California, our athletes encountered further challenges from adverse weather conditions. Nevertheless, they showcased exceptional skill and resilience, with Zoe Greze-Kozuki delivering an impressive performance at Mammoth despite battling strong 50 km/h winds, securing a commendable 4th-place finish.

Following the unfortunate cancellation of the Horseshoe NorAm event due to inclement weather, we will conclude our season with NorAm competitions in Aspen and Stoneham, culminating in the highly anticipated Nationals in Whistler. I am thrilled at the prospect of having athletes compete on the infamous Blackline course, a dream I have had for nearly a decade. I extend a warm invitation to all to check out this spectacular event.  It will surely not be one to miss.

Additionally, I extend heartfelt congratulations to all BC athletes selected to represent Canada at the forthcoming Junior World Championships. Mattheus Heslop, Ella Garrod, Avery Krumme, and Gabi Dinn have showcased exceptional talent and dedication. I am confident in their ability to throw down and have a blast along the way.

In closing, we thank all involved in supporting our athletes throughout this demanding season. Together, let us continue to uphold the values of excellence, sportsmanship, and camaraderie that define the BC Freestyle program.

Yours in the spirit of excellence (and fun),

Cam, Simon and Graham