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Backcountry Safety wins the first ever Canadian Ski Mountaineering Champs

Last weekend, the Whistler Resort hosted the first ever Canadian National Ski Mountaineering Championships. This ski mountaineering event was part of the World Backcountry Freeride Jam that is gaining on popularity every year, and we encourage you to come check it out next year.

The ski mountaineering races (or randonnee and backcountry skiing races) took place over two days - there was a vertical race on April 20th (Friday) and a High Range Classic race the next day. The second event was officially the first Canadian National Ski Mountaineering Championships sanctioned by the Alpine Club of Canada. The races were international, therefore some fast Europeans came over to compete.

The vertical race (1150m) was won by a young Spaniard Kilian Jornet in just over an hour with the first Canadian - Andy Traslin - coming fourth overall. The main event - Spearhead Passage, on the next day, took racers from the Whistler Roundhouse, to Singing Pass, to Whirlwind Peak and back. Furthermore, this race was sanctioned by the International Ski Mountaineering Competition (ISMC) as a High Range Classic which brought it even more prestige.

On a spectacular course, 40 racers went on to battle for the glory. At the end it was won by Backcountry Safety sponsored athlete - Peter Svatojansky (who won another two North American events this year). Second and third place belonged to Spaniards. The first Canadian came fourth overall thus to become the first ever Canadian Ski Mountaineering Champion, and he was no other than Greg Hill from Revelstoke. Andy Traslin, from North Vancouver, took second with his brother Mike Traslin holding on strong for third.

The overall women Spearhead Passage competition was won by two Spanish girls that went almost as fast as the first Canadian man. The first ever Canadian Champions in the women's category are Julia Niles, Lydia Marmot and Melanie Burner.

If you are one of the ski mountaineering / backcountry skiing addicted ethusiasts then we would like to invite you next year for the first Mountain Storm - Ski mountaineering randonnee event organized by Backcountry Safety. The event will be held in Fernie, BC in January 2008.

Mike Traslin on the bootpack.

Overall podium (from left): Kilian Jornet, Peter Svatojansky, Manuel Perez.

Canadian Champs (from left): Andy Traslin, Greg Hill, Mike Traslin.

Canadian Champs (from left): Lydia Marmot, Julia Niles, Melanie Burner.

Related Links:

World Backcountry Freeride Jam
Mountain Storm - Ski Mountaineering Randonnee Race
Peter Svatojansky

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