The Jasper Freeride team had an amazing performance at Mt. Norquay last weekend as they competed in the Caribou Cup.

Four racers from Jasper competed in the event which landed one up-and-coming star on the podium.

“We had a great weekend,” said Patrice Fortin, one of the Freeride coaches. “We took second place in the ten year old girls category.”

Fortin said Jacquelyn Proc took silver in the Giant Slalom event on Saturday.

“The success that they had at the Caribou Cup is a direct result of the efforts of the athletes and the coaches,” said Fortin.

Also on the Jasper team, Patrick Mahler finished ninth in the ten-year-old boys category, and Walter Ostrander finished eighth in the nine-year-old boys category.

Fortin said he was happy with the results and said they all had excellent performances.

Some of the success the Jasper team has had this year is a result of a rigorous training program.

Derek Gamblin is the head coach of their ‘fast track’ program. He said they have a unique system under the Nancy Greene umbrella.

“I kind of coach them like I would if I was coaching the K1 or K2 program,” said Gamblin. “I intensify the training just a bit more than what the Nancy Greeners would do.”

The Freeride team represented Jasper at Mt. Norquay with professionalism. Waiting for the results on Saturday children from other clubs were running around, throwing snowballs and screaming. Calm and collected the Jasper team waited quietly, together as a team.

“Preparing the kids in a calm environment with their coach is going to enhance their confidence and that way they can focus on what they have to do,” said Fortin.