The Need To Speed
The Need To Speed
Published : 24-Feb-2011 09:09
Hitting 110mph on the roads of North America isn't wise if you don't want to appear on one of those real life TV cop shows, but it is legal in certain circumstances on the ski slopes of Canada. One such scenario is the 2011 Subaru Velocity Challenge (velocitychallenge.com) at Sun Peaks Resort which takes place next week from March 3-6, 2011.
40 of the world's fastest skiers will be in the BC resort where they're expected to reach speeds in excess of 175 km/h at North America's only speed skiing event.
"This event was started 22 years ago by six guys with shovels wanting to speed ski and now it's one of the best events in the world," said Event Organizer Adam Earle. "Having racers come from around the globe to compete at Sun Peaks is a true testament to the event and the support it receives from the locals, volunteers, businesses and beyond. It's the highlight of the ski season for people from around the world.
An official FIS World Cup race for the 9th year, racers from nine countries will compete at the 2011 event.
"We start preparing the Headwalls course over a month before the race is held, building up the start and finish areas, using snow fence to collect extra snow on to the course, and finally using a Pisten Bulley winch-cat," outlined Jamie Tattersfield, mountain operations manager for Sun Peaks Resort Corporation. "It's a steep and challenging course with an average grade of 55 percent that requires special attention from the most experienced members of our grooming team."
The steep and treacherous Headwalls Speed Track also includes several rolls that will most likely cause racers to become airborne during their controlled free-fall descent, creating some exciting moments for those watching the race.
"The Headwalls Speed Ski Track is considered one of the most difficult speed ski tracks in the world and it's always a wild ride at 175 km/h. Headwalls is convex, meaning you can't see the bottom from the top which raises a lot of eyebrows, even with the world's best racers," said Earle. "Imagine a ski racer wearing a Darth Vader-like helmet, a bright red skin-tight rubber suit and 240 centimetre long skis flying past you. Combine that with the sound the racers make as they cut through the air like a fighter jet and it becomes a spectacle not to be missed."
Anyone in Sun Peaks next week can view the event from the Sunburst Restaurant at mid-mountain, accessed by the Sunburst chairlift.
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