The sport of competitive ski racing is in good hands with these three Osoyoos youngsters doing well on the Nancy Greene Ski Race circuit. Ava Kosaka, 9, (front left) and her brother Achile Kosaka, 11, have both been skiing for half their lives, despite their tender age, as has Eva Wyse (front right), Eva’s dad Chris Wyse says the Nancy Greene ski race circuit is outstanding as the kids receive fantastic coaching every weekend throughout the winter race season and then get to compete in well organized, competitive events. Eva Wyse finished second in her age division at a big race at Big White in Kelowna 10 days ago, while Ava Kosaka finished seventh in the same race. All three local youngsters are gearing up to compete in the final competitive race of the season, set for early March at Apex Mountain in Penticton. All three belong to the Apex Mountain Ski Club as well. (Keith Lacey photo)
While hockey will always be the most popular sport for Canadians, regardless of age, a trio of young skiers is showing Osoyoos has talent on the slopes as well.
Eva Wyse, 9, Ava Kosaka, 8, and her brother Achile Kosaka, 11, are all members of the Apex Mountain Ski Club as well as the Nancy Greene Ski Race circuit that is designed to teach the fundamentals and skills necessary to become a competitive racer.
Just over a week ago at Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna, both young girls competed in the first Nancy Greene competitive race of the season and acquitted themselves very well.
Competing against other young skiers from across the Okanagan Valley – the Nancy Greene circuit is split up into several regions across the province –Wyse finished second in the under-10 girls race, while Kosaka finished seventh in the same event. Her brother did not compete in that particular race.
Because of their age, the youngsters ski on giant slalom courses, instead of downhill.
All three local racers will continue to practice every weekend heading into the final race of the season at Apex Ski Hill in Penticton in March.
Both Ava and Achile Kosaka were taught to ski at a very young age as their parents, Mike and Sev, are both avid skiers themselves.
“I’ve been skiing for about four years and I’m only eight,” said Ava, matter of factly. “I love it.”
Her brother has been skiing for the past five years – or almost half his young life.
Eva Wyse has been skiing for four years.
All three have a large haul of medals they have won since joining the Nancy Greene competitive downhill circuit the past couple of years.
All three youngsters say they love the competition and going as fast as possible once they hit the starting gate.
“I love to go fast,” said Ava Kosaka. “It’s fun.”
Her brother feels the same way.
“I think the best part is the adrenaline rush you get every single time you line up at the starting gate,” he said.
Eva Wyse said travelling down a mountain quickly with only a pair of skis to guide you is exhilarating.
Her father Chris Wyse couldn’t say enough good things about the Nancy Greene circuit as coaches and organizers do a terrific job teaching the basic skills and organizing wonderful race events for young competitors across the region.
“It’s a very well organized program,” he said. “They get top notch coaching that is offered almost every weekend throughout the ski season.
“The kids then get to test their skills in competitive races and those are always very well organized.”
While Ava and Eva are members of Dance Oasis in Osoyoos and they enjoy dancing, they say skiing is easily their favourite sport and recreational activity.
Achile also plays baseball during the summer months, but said skiing is also his favourite sport. All three youngsters say they will continue competitive ski racing and hope to climb the ranks as they get a little older and stronger moving forward.
Considering their young age and solid results, Chris Wyse is convinced his daughter and Ava and Achile Kosaka will continue to develop and succeed for many years to come.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
