Steve Hatch cleaned up at the 35th annual Over the Hill Downhill ski races last weekend at Silver Star.
The 45-year-old Kelowna businessman captured three gold medals last Sunday in what has been dubbed 'Canada’s Best Recreational and Masters Race.'
Following a first place effort with his team's combined times in the morning race, Hatch won the Canadian Masters downhill champion title with the overall fastest time.
He capped it off with a third gold as the fastest male in the age 45 to 49 division.
"This title is something not entirely new to Hatch who has won the event three times in the last 5 years. “I think I was stronger and faster this year as a result of coaching others” says Hatch. “It’s hypocritical to coach without demonstrating and by doing so has made me a better skier even at this age”
The races pits male or female, young or old in teams of four against each other for the glory of being the fastest down the hill.
A total of 99 competitors dug out some historic speed suits all in the hunt for the prestigious honour of being named the highly coveted overall event winner.
Hatch is a graduate of the Nancy Greene program with the Big White Ski Club, former Canadian men’s alpine team member, recent assistant coach of the local U16 team and current co-coach of the Big White Ski Club master’s team.
His coaching partner, also from Big White, Gerry Whitaker, took an impressive gold in the age category 55 to 59.
Teck Speed Camp…
Big White's alpine ski team earned its share of double podium finishes at the Teck Speed Camp and Race Feb. 7 at Silver Star Resort.
Four Kelowna athletes skied to double gold—Cara Shaw (U16 girls), Jaxon Slaney (U14 girls), Luke McMillan (U14 boys) and Kiera Swift (U12 girls) each won two races.
Gillian Callaghan (U16 girls) and Shayna Little (U12 girls) each picked up a pair of silver medals.
Anthony Kurkjian (U16 boys), Adam Fricska (U14 boys ) and Simon Yanow (U12 boys) each won two bronze medals.
“I had fun watching you guys at the speed camp on the weekend," coach Wade Christie told his athletes. "We got lucky with the weather and for the most part the track stayed hard and fast with air at the main street road to get your attention.