After receiving a record number of applications for the Spring grants, seven athletes who live and train on Vancouver Island in mountain sports received assistance for their competition/training costs from VIMSS.  

• Nicola Anderson, 15, Campbell River, Alpine Skiing

Nicola loves ski racing and has made many changes over the last year off snow to increase her skill and speed on snow. Her hard work has made her one of the top K2females in the Province and has given her the opportunity to represent BC at the Canadian Juvenile championships. She was 10th overall at the 2008 K2 Provincials and will be training at the Mount Washingtoncamp this Fall

• Simon Garstin, 18, Courtenay, Mountain Bike

Simon is an extremely motivated and talented young rider who is very dedicated to his sport of downhill mountain biking. With a number of first place finishes in B.C. Cup races, and a 1-2 place finish in two Canada Cup events, he is positioned to do well at the 2008 Canadian National Junior Championships. He is aiming to compete at two Canada Cups in Quebec that are qualifiers for the national team and 2008 World Championships.

 • Max Heard, 15, Duncan, Freestyle Skiing

Max has been competing at Mount Washington freestyle skiing competitions for the last five years and for the last three has been the winner for the combined events in his age group. At the 2008 B.C. Championships at Mount Washington he won the overall title for the Big Air event and finished 4th and 5th in mogul competitions. The highlight of his year was qualifying for the Junior Nationals and going to Quebec to compete. His goals for next season are to place consistently in the top three positions in the provincial Big Air competitions, and to repeat his win for overall Big Air title.

 • Lauren Hughes, 18, Victoria, Mountain Bike

Lauren is competing in her first year in the Elite category after a very successful junior career that saw her place 5th overall at the 2007 Western Canada Games. Her plan is to excel in the BC Cup circuit, the Marathon Series and the Canada Cups on the West Coast.

 • Thomas Skinner, 26, Victoria, Mountain Bike

Thomas' goal this season is to finish in the top ten at the National Championships; in 2007 he finished 21st with a flat tire and a broken shoulder; he is, if anything, determined. He is motivated by seeing the improvements and success he’s had in recent years in addition to being motivated by the success of others, such young riders he as been working with at an elementary school bike club.

 • Freya Wasteneys, 16, Campbell River, Nordic Skiing

Freya has become one of the best age prospects in the sport of Nordic skiing in BC. Her steady climb up the ranks has certainly been noticed as she was named to the BC Team for 2008/2009. In 2008 she achieved two top-10 finishes at the National Championships. Her goal for 2009 is to medal in the sprints and come top five in the longer distance races. This summer she will attend more glacier camps with the BC Team and continue to improve her technique.

 • Sylvia Watkins, 15, Royston, Nordic Skiing

Sylvia’s debut performance at the 2008 National Championships saw her pull off a top 15 placing. She has continued to push her racing ability to the edge and she was named to the BC Development team in 2008/2009. Her goals next season are to take her training to a higher level and to improve her technical skills.

“We wish all of the athletes who train at Mount Washington success in their competitions and training this summer and we thank our sponsors and those who continue to support our fundraising efforts including Mount Washington Alpine Resort, the Island Coastal Economic Trust and Rick Gibson,” said Rick Morson, Chair of VIMSS.