Lucas Gairns knew he was being thrown to a pack of wolves as he lined up in the start gate at Tabor Mountain Friday for his first-ever North American Cup ski cross race.
He was a year too young last year when the Nor-Am tour came to Prince George for the first time but at 16 he's now old enough to meet the minimum age requirement to take the plunge in one of ski racing's most exciting events.
By Gairns' own admission, he got schooled Friday by the more experienced athletes he had to contend with on Day 1 of the competition but promises he'll be better prepared when racing resumes today.
"I didn't actually think it was too good," said Gairns. "I didn't do too good in the qualifying and afterwards I kind of messed up at the start of the heat and I got set back and couldn't pass the guy ahead of me."
Gairns was eliminated in the first round of heats, finishing behind Kevin MacDonald and Noah Giron in the first heat. MacDonald, of Mississauga, Ont., went on to win his next two heats and was first in the big final Friday, fending off Zach Belczyk of Banff and Ned Ireland of Kelowna, who were second and third respectively. Trent McCarthy of Edmonton ended up fourth.
Jason Oliemans of Smithers crossed the line just ahead of Reece Howden of Chilliwack in the men's small final. Americans Erik Sparkowski and Morgan Haymans were third and fourth respectively.
Eleven women entered Friday's ski cross and early-race favourite India Sherret of Cranbrook captured the title in the big final ahead of second-place Leah Emaus of the United States. Abby McEwen of Edmonton was third and Antoinette Tansley of Whistler ended up fourth.
In the women's small final, Mara Bishop of Calgary captured the flag ahead of Zoe Chore of Cranbrook. Mara White of the United States was third and Sarah Clarke of Calgary placed fourth.
Friday's races drew 36 competitors.
In ski cross racing, groups of four racers start down the course at the same time, skiing over a series of tabletop jumps, banked corners and bumpy flats (rollers) to get to the finish first. The first two skiers in each heat advance to the next round.
The big final order of finish determines the first four overall placings, while the small final determines fifth through eighth.
Gairns is the brother of 18-year-old Tiana, who won both races at Tabor last year and went on to claim the Nor-Am women's points championship in 2016. Tiana is sidelined this weekend with a concussion. Stuart says he learned a few lessons Friday he plans to put to good use today.
"I think I learned I need to pump the rollers a little more," said Gairns. "I learned a little bit on how to do that just by watching the better people go down there. That's where you gain the speed.
"The jumps are super good, it's a super-nice track this year."
Time qualifications start today at 11 a.m. and race heats start at 1 p.m. There is no admission charge for spectators. Skiers and snowboarders who want to take advantage of great conditions today at Tabor will pay half-price for lift tickets as part of the National Ski Day celebration.
