Another epic season of ski racing is underway for Dreadnaught Ski Racing at Kimberley Alpine Resort (KAR). From Feb. 3 to 9, they hosted the Alpine Nor-Am Cup.
The North American (Nor-Am) Cup is one of the competitive tours organized by the International Ski Federation (FIS), in collaboration with Alpine Canada and the US Ski and Snowboard Association.
It takes place all over North America, giving athletes the opportunity to compete with other athletes from around the world.
The level of competition, which is just below World Cup level, gives these skiers the chance to qualify for the World Junior Championships and future spots in the world cup. Venues like Kimberley Alpine Resort and organizations like Dreadnaught are critical to the development pathway of these speed athletes, there are not too many places as well equipped to host events of this calibre.
Donna Briggs, chairperson with Dreadnaught Racing, explained that this event was unique, as it was the first time ever for a sanctioned, two-run downhill at the Nor-Am level.
The ski run Dreadnaught is short, at around 50 vertical metres.
"Our one-run race track is too short, that's why we've never been able to host a downhill at the Nor-Am level, so they've allowed for a two-run downhill to make up the vertical," Briggs explained. "This is quite a unique event because this is the first time we've had the ability to host a Nor-Am level downhill, before the highest level we could host was FIS-level, which of course we have every year in January."
There were between 105 and 120 athletes competing at this event, from as far away as Great Britain, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
"[Dreadnaught Racing's season] started with the FIS Speed Camp and Downhills and Super G along with the night slalom from January 22 香蕉视频直播� 31," Briggs said. "Mother Nature was very kind and delivered the most beautiful blue bird days with nice cold temps at night.
"The night Slalom as usual was well attended with over 150 athletes many coming just for this event as it is so popular and a great opportunity to score some excellent points."
Right after the FIS series, all the volunteers got a well-deserved day off to prepare for the Nor-Am Speed Series. In 2018, Dreadnaught and KAR hosted the Nor-Am finals, but during that event they were unable to include the downhill race discipline, due to the run not having the required vertical drop. Since then, the FIS governing organization for Alpine Ski Racing approved the use of a two-run downhill format, in order to allow more venues the opportunity to host downhill racing.
"Dreadnaught has hosted the first 2 run downhill in North America this past week and hope that this opens the doors for more elite racing in Kimberley,香蕉视频直播� Briggs said. 香蕉视频直播淲e are already looking forward into 2026 to bid on some high level events for our community."
Briggs extended her gratitude to the many local and out-of-town volunteers, plus all the staff at KAR, who made events like this possible.
"The track preparation, administration and timing crew produced a world class event," she added. "Also a big thanks you to our sponsors Kimberley Alpine Resort, Trickle Creek Lodge, Mountain Spirit Resort, Viasport, Rick and Marj Jensen Family Foundation, Mark Trothen, and the City of Kimberley for the ongoing financial or in kind support of Dreadnaught Racing."
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