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The stuff of legend and lore. The 16th edition of the world’s steepest ski race, the Saudan Couloir Ski Race Extreme, returned to the World Ski & Snowboard Festival this year after a more than 15 year hiatus.
The race, which started back in 1987, was a festival highlight bringing out the legends of ski racing, big mountain pros, and a healthy dose of amateur skiers who weren’t afraid to charge. The event was billed as a great success with over 150 participants.
One of the legends was race namesake the famous extreme skier Sylvain Sudian.
The tradional course saw skiers drop down the face of the Sudain Couloir, onto Blowdown, and into Jersey Cream, participants ended the race near the entrance of the Jersey Cream Express.
Finishing the race at an impressive two minutes, 16.36 seconds, Whistler skier Stan Rey took home top spot in the men’s pro division. A freeskier with a racing background, Rey drew on his ski-cross background to rally through the course.
“I’ve never raced it. I always wanted to when I was a kid, but I never had a chance to. And now that it’s back, I was stoked to be able to be a part of it,” said Rey, who raced on a brand-new pair of 193 giant slalom skis.
As usual the legendary race had many crashes, most of the action was in the Sudain Couloir.
Marie-Pier Préfontaine took top spot in the Women’s pro category, finishing the course in 2:24.46. “It was really fun. It’s a fun event and people are super stoked,” said Préfontaine.
RACE RESULTS:
PRO FEMALE
1. MARIE-PIER PREFONTAINE, BIB 3, TIME 2.24.46
2. BRYNNE BENBOW, BIB 4, TIME 2.37.09
3. JANE EMERICK, BIB 7, TIME 2.40.56
PRO MALE
1. STAN REY, BIB 13, TIME 2.16.36
2. JORDY NORRIS, BIB 29, TIME 2.17.30
3. HAYDEN SIDEY-PHILLIPS, BIB 36, TIME 2.21.43
FEMALE OVERALL
1. MARIE-PIER PREFONTAINE, BIB 3, TIME 2.24.46
2. BRYNNE BENBOW, BIB 4, TIME 2.37.09
3. JANE EMERICK, BIB 7, TIME 2.40.56
AMATEUR FEMALE 19-34
1. CAMILLA LOUGHLIN, BIB 118, TIME 2.58.40
2. MANDY ROUSSEAU, BIB 116, TIME 3.35.41
3. LAURA BROWN, BIB 117, TIME 3.44.26
AMATEUR FEMALE 50+
1. COREY HARLE, BIB 45, TIME 2.51.46
2. KANA OKAZAKI, BIB 40, TIME 3.46.82
3. PATRICIA GOOD, BIB 43, TIME 3.47.72
AMATEUR MALE 19-34
1. CONNOR BROWNE, BIB 123, TIME 2.45.93
2. PETER WOJNAR, BIB 122, TIME 2.52.31
3. DANIEL KARLSSON-AMADOR, BIB 139, TIME 2.52.85
AMATEUR MALE 35-49
1. ALEX BLAIS, BIB 96, TIME 2.43.54
2. SHANE SZOCS, BIB 84, TIME 2.52.70
3. DAVE HAWKSHAW, BIB 106, TIME 2.53.18
AMATEUR MALE 50+
1. STEVE DUNN, BIB 66, TIME 2.47.01
2. CHRIS WETASKI, BIB 60, TIME 2.52.86
3. MICHAEL NOC, BIB 51, TIME 2.53.54
