Mikayla Gairns and Evian Mullen proved they can keep up with hill hotshots from B.C. and Alberta.
Gairns and Mullen, who train with the Prince George Alpine Ski Racers, competed at the Kal Tire K2 Western Championships in Jasper on the weekend. The 14-year-old Gairns placed 27th and 28th in giant slalom races and was 47th and 20th in her slalom events. The 13-year-old Mullen, meanwhile, ended up 37th and 49th in her giant slaloms. After being disqualified from her Saturday slalom race, she bounced back with a 44th-place finish on Sunday.
Josh Webber, Prince George head coach, has been impressed with the progress both girls are making this season. They tend to push each other in training and on race days and that friendly rivalry has been a key part of their development.
"Mikayla, she's an unbelievable little skier," Webber said. "She never falls, always finishes. She comes from a racing family and is super-strong. She's our team leader, basically. When the coaches aren't there, Mikayla takes over."
As for Mullen, her work ethic sets her apart from most.
"She's super dedicated," Webber said. "She's come a long way with her racing. She's been working on some things throughout the winter and she's starting to get that now. Just getting her movement in her skiing -- it's starting to come together for her. She's starting to give Mikayla a run for her money in slalom."
For the Prince George club as a whole, the season has been a bit unusual because Webber himself has been on the sidelines for much of it. On Feb. 15, he was enjoying some relaxation time on his snowmobile and crashed while landing a jump. In the accident, he tore ligaments in his right knee and had surgery the next day. Even now, he's on the limp.
With Webber focusing on his rehabilitation, long-time club members Kali Flick and Alice Muirhead have stepped in to help out with the coaching. For that, Webber is grateful.
"It's huge," said the 31-year-old Webber, a first-year head coach after serving as an assistant to Mike Stratton the previous two seasons. "I can't thank them enough. It just shows their dedication and love for the sport, the fact that they did that."
The next event for local downhillers is the north zone finals, Saturday and Sunday in Smithers. The following weekend, three of the club's elite young racers -- Tianna Gairns, Shawn Nydegger and Gavin Rowell -- will be in Whistler for the prestigious Whistler Cup. Tianna Gairns, 12, qualified for the international meet as a member of Team B.C. The 12-year-old Nydegger and 11-year-old Rowell secured north zone berths in the event.
The Whistler Cup, for 11- to 14-year-olds, typical attracts athletes from more than 30 countries and has the atmosphere of an Olympics.
"It's massive," said Webber, who competed in the first-ever Whistler Cup in 1992. "They have these parades and there's people on stilts and all these costumes and kids from all over the world.
"It's unbelievable," Webber added. "It's a lifetime experience."
