Speed Skiers head for Sun Peaks
Sun Peaks Ski Resort in British Columbia will host the fastest skiers on earth from March 5th to 8th as they gather for the 2008 Subaru Velocity Challenge World Cup of Speed Skiing.
This year is the 19th running of the event and organizers could not be happier with the turn out expected. “We have speed skiers from nine countries coming to Sun Peaks for the event this year and they are some of the fastest skiers on the planet” says Adam Earle, Velocity Challenge Organizer. “We have the Men’s and Ladies World Record holders coming as well as numerous racers who are the fastest skiers in their respective countries. They all love to come to Sun Peaks and race on the Headwalls speed track. The track at Sun Peaks is unique in the sport and all the racers come for the challenge.”
Unlike many speed skiing tracks in Europe that are smooth and concave in shape allowing racers to see the whole speed track from each start, the course at Sun Peaks is convex with several rolls on it meaning the racers only see a small portion of it prior to accelerating up to 175 km/h. “Our track is legendary in the world of speed skiing” says Earle, “It has been said that it is one of the toughest courses in the world to ski and we love having that designation.”
While speeds at Sun Peaks will be slower than the current World Record of 251.41 km/h held by Simone Origone of Italy, there is no doubt that the racers will be ready for the task. According to Earle, even the racers that have been well over 200 km/h on skis find the Headwalls a true test of their skiing as they try to keep their skis on the ground at 175 km/h. “It is absolutely amazing to watch. If you have never seen or heard a skier traveling at over 170 km/h down a near vertical slope then you don’t want to miss this event.”
The Headwalls speed skiing track can be accessed by skiers, snowboarders and foot passengers on the Sunburst chairlift that services the Sunburst mid-mountain restaurant, allowing great views of this spectacle of speed.
Speed Skiing is the fastest non-motorized sport on the planet.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc
