Whitney Makes Canadian National Para Alpine Ski Team

North Bay’s Mike Whitney is currently at Copper Mountain, in Colorado, USA participating in both training and ski racing for the Canadian National Para Alpine Race team. He finished with good results finishing in the top ten in both slalom and giant slalom by finishing 5th in Giant Slalom and a 6th and 8th place finish in two slalom Noram events. He qualified for World Cup events to be held in Winter Park, Colorado, and Panorama, B.C. in March 2012.

The previous season was a busy one as Mike was on the Canadian Prospect Team and competed in numerous events in hopes of making the National Ski Team as one of the youngest and upcoming members.

Mikes accomplishments started in January, 2011 at Winter Park, Colorado, he placed 5th in both Super G and Giant Slalom then travelled to La Relais, Quebec and placed 2nd in two slalom events. He also competed also in Waterville, New Hampshire and placed 1st in two slalom events.

He then travelled to Halifax in February, for the Canadian Winter Games and represented Ontario in the Para Alpine events and received gold in Slalom and Silver in Giant Slalom.

In March, he attended the Austria Nationals in St. Lambrecht and placed 10th in both Giant Slalom and Super Combined and 12th in Super G. Then travelled to Kimberley B.C for the Canadian Nationals where he placed 4th in 2 Giant Slalom events and 5th in a Slalom event. To cap off the ski season, he attended the U.S. Nationals in Alyeska, Alaska and placed 5th in Slalom, 8th in Super G and saved his best for last by earning a 2nd in a Giant Slalom event followed by his first Noram win in Super G.

During the summer months, he attended a camp in Nakiska, Alberta followed by more dry land training once week each month in Whistler, B.C. In August, the Canadian National Para Alpine Ski Team advised that Mike was successful in earning a spot on the National Ski Team.

He travelled to Chile in September for training in Giant Slalom, then in October to Saas Fee, Switzerland for Slalom training and November to Nakiska, Alberta for both ski discipline training.

Mike also received a special award from West Ferris Secondary School for MVP for the Schools Alpine ski team for his success in NDA this past year.

Mike continues to be busy taking commerce from Carleton University through E-Learning. Mike developed his own web site and you can follow his Quest for Gold, pictures from around the world and his blogs to learn about all the ups and downs in his monthly activities by visiting his site at MikeWhitney.ca. He will be resting over the Christmas break to prepare for what looks like an even busier ski season in 2012.

Submitted to BayToday.ca