Townsman Staff
A pair of local Cranbrook skiers are set to compete at the FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships in Valmalenco, Italy, which runs from March 22 to April 1.
India Sherret and Zoe Chore will represent Canada and Cranbrook at the event, which provides a chance for top youth skiers around the globe, aged 16 to 21, to compete.
"Representing Canada at World Juniors is an amazing opportunity," Sherret (left) said in a press release. "It is a chance to push myself in a very competitive environment that we don't often get in North America. By competing, it is a chance to see how I rank up against the next generation of world-class athletes."
Competing on the ski cross circuit and with two previous trips to the World Juniors, Sherret hopes her experience will help her find a way to the podium in 2015.
"This race is also an amazing cultural experience that many people never get to have," Sherret said. "We get to explore beautiful countries and make friend and meet people from all over the world. I consider myself very lucky to be part of such experiences."
Sherret is a member of the Canadian Ski Cross Development Team and grew up training with the Kimberley Alpine Team (KAT).
Chore is in her first year of ski cross and trains with KAT. She also began training with Alberta Ski Cross this season.
"The World Juniors is important as it will open my eyes to the competition and what I need to do if I want to win," Chore (left) said in a release. "It will be my first ski trip outside North American and I hope it will help inspire other KAT athletes to show them their dreams can come true and hard work really does pay off."
The ski cross event at the FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships is scheduled for the final day of competition -- April 1.
Aerials, moguls, dual moguls, slope style and halfpipe events are also scheduled for earlier in competition.
Ski cross is increasing in popularity due to the success of Canada at the Winter Olympic Games.
"The Junior World Championships are a great opportunity for us to see how the Canadian developmental program is on track against international competition," said Willy Raine, athletic director of the Canadian Ski Cross team.
Chore and Sherret are both fundraising locally. Those wishing to support them can contact india.s.ski@gmail.com or jane87@telus.net.
Canadian Ski Cross Roster for 2015 FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships:
Women: India Sherret, Cranbrook (Canadian Development Team); Abby McEwen, Edmonton (Alberta Ski Cross); Alexa Velcic, Calgary (Alberta Ski Cross); Zoe Chore, Cranbrook (Alberta Ski Cross and Kimberley Alpine Team)
Men: Ned Ireland, Lake Country, B.C. (Canadian Development Team); Matt Brady, Burlington, Ont. (Canadian Development Team); Kris Mahler, Canmore, Alta. (Canadian Development Team); Adam Gibson, Whistler, B.C.
Alternates: Zach Belczyk, Banff (Alberta Ski Cross); Trent McCarthy, Edmonton (Canadian Development Team)
Coaches: Stanley Hayer, National Team Coach; Sead Causevic, ChPC - Development coach