FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2013
Vancouver Island Athletes Receive Funding from
Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Society
Courtenay, BC – Eight Vancouver Island athletes who compete in mountain sports have
been awarded travel grants by the Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Society (VIMSS)
to assist them with training and competition expenses for the upcoming season.
VIMSS is a not-for-profit association and one of its goals is to raises funds for emerging
amateur athletes who compete in the mountain sports of Alpine, Nordic and Freestyle
Skiing, Snowboarding, Adaptive Snow Sports, Biathlon and Mountain Biking. Since
2003, the Society has raised over $80,000 to award to athletes with a variety of
fundraising initiatives
An example of the athletes funded this year is nordic skier Alex Stapft who requested
assistance in order to qualify for the 2012 Provincial Championships in Prince George
and the National Championships in Callaghan Valley, BC. He’s the captain of his team
despite many of his teammates being older than him, and in addition to training,
competing and helping with his club’s fundraising, Alec “helps little kids with race prep
and coach racers and people interested in the sport who would like to stay with it and
race when they are older. “
The following athletes* received travel grants:
Thomas Bergvinson, Snowboard, Courtenay
Kole Harle, Alpine Ski, Campbell River
Max Heard, Freestyle Ski, Duncan
Riley Heard, Freestyle Ski, Duncan
Keegan McKooey, Alpine Ski, Cumberland
Alec Stapff, Nordic Ski, Campbell River
Avalon Wastenays, Nordic Ski, Campbell River
Jamie Wastenays, Nordic Ski, Campbell River
*bios attached
“All funds raised help these dedicated athletes to offset the travel and competition costs
that are the price of success,” said VIMSS Chair Karen Bonell. “We wish all of the
Vancouver Island athletes success in their competitions and training this season and we
thank our sponsors and supporters who continue to support our fundraising efforts.”
VIMSS also is responsible for operating the newly constructed Vancouver Island
Mountain Centre at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, located at the end of Nordic Road
across from Raven Lodge and Strathcona Park’s Paradise Meadows. The non-profit
centre provides group accommodation for up to 40 people, full kitchen and dining
facilities plus meeting rooms and a Fitness Centre. It’s a perfect location to start your
outdoor adventure, host your meeting or use as a training base in the 3500ft alpine.
Surf to VIMountainCentre.com for additional information.
For more information, contact:
Drew Cooper, Director, VIMSS
250.740.6169
2012 Winter VIMSS Grant Recipient Bios
Thomas Bergvinson, Comox Valley, Snowboard, 13
Thomas had 4 podium finishes (one gold and 3 silver) in regional competitions last
season. He credits his other activities (wakeboarding, trampoline and skateboarding) as
contributing to his successes.
Kole Harle, Alpine Ski, Campbell River, 14
Following up a successful 2011 season where he sustained multiple podium finishes,
Kole qualified for Can/Am Westerns and the Canadian team for the Whistler Cup
competing against athletes several years older.
Riley Heard, Freestyle Ski, Duncan, 17
Riley brought home two bronze medals from the 2012 BC Winter Games, in single
and double moguls and was third overall in the 2012 BC Freestyle Series
Max Heard, Freestyle Ski, Duncan, 20
Max had an outstanding run during the last two seasons with a gold and silver medals
at the Canada Winter Games followed up with gold medals at two key national and CanAm competitions.
Keegan McKooey, Alpine Ski, 13
Last season Keegan had strong finishes against competitors two or more years older
than her, often finishing in the top third of the competition. An active volunteer in her
community, she strives to be a role model for younger athletes in the club.
Alex Stapff, Campbell River, Nordic Ski, 16
Alex has raced for the past four years and won the Coastal Cup in 2011 at Mt.
Washington; he is the captain of the team, helps with fundraisers, builds race courses
for his club and assists with coaching younger skiers.
Avalon Wastenays, Nordic ski, Campbell River, 15
This past season Avalon consistently hit the podium with a Gold, 2 Silvers and a
Bronze medal at various provincial competitions including BC Championships and BC
Winter Games (both Silver).
Jamie Wastenays, Campbell River, Nordic Ski, 17
Jamie was 5th in the 2012 BC Championships in the 10K event and was 3rd in his age
category at the 2012 Vancouver Island 30 km Loppet. When not racing he helps young
racer with tips on technique and racing, showing them how to wax their skis, and
making sure they are prepared for the workout/race.