It's an event with that features more than 400 skiers from around the globe, co-chaired by a Vernon native and true icon in the sport.
Six members of the Vernon Ski Club have qualified for the O2E Brands Whistler Cup which runs April 9-13.
The Whistler Cup – celebrating its 32nd anniversary in 2025 – is a prestigious international youth alpine ski race held every year at Whistler. It's the only event of its kind in North America.
Taking part in U16 competition from the Vernon Ski Club will be Kolten Hornhardt, Robbie Drew, Tanner Carr, Caleb Shaw, Kaden Liddy, and Elijah Nasipayko-Shippam. Their coach is Rodger Poole.
Organized and hosted by the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, the competition has become one of the most prominent youth ski races globally since its inception in 1992. The Whistler Cup attracts top young alpine ski racers from across the world, particularly in the U14 and U16 age categories, providing these athletes with the opportunity to compete against the best in their age group on an international stage.
The event features traditional alpine disciplines such as slalom, giant slalom, and Super-G, all of which test the racers' technical skills and speed. Held on the world-class Dave Murray Training Centre, which also hosted the alpine skiing events during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler Blackcomb, one of North America's largest and most renowned ski resorts, the Whistler Cup offers a level of competition that mirrors the intensity of professional ski racing.
Many of the athletes who compete here go on to race in FIS (International Ski Federation) events or are selected for their national teams, making it a crucial stepping stone for future stars in alpine skiing.
Vernon native Rob Boyd is co-chair of the O2E Brands Whistler Cup, along with Graham Ross.
Boyd is a well known Canadian ski racing legend.
Among his many accomplishments, he was the first Canadian to win a World Cup downhill event on Canadian soil. The former Crazy Canuck brings a wealth of ski racing experience and community relationships, both on and off the slope.
"I am honoured and excited to accept the co-chair position of the O2E Brands Whistler Cup," said Boyd in December 2024. "Many great visionaries have done a lot of heavy lifting to bring this incredible event to the level it currently enjoys, and I'd like to recognize and thank them for their contributions.
"There are some big shoes to fill going forward. Through the many partnerships, supporters, parents and athletes, we can build on that momentum and ensure the Whistler Cup evolves and thrives for generations to come."
Boyd was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in Vancouver in 2003, and the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in Vernon in 2011.
The Whistler Cup event includes opening ceremonies, parades, and social gatherings, allowing 400-plus young racers from more than 20 countries to bond beyond the slopes and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and international camaraderie.
For many young athletes, the Whistler Cup is both a challenging race and an unforgettable experience.
Competition begins Thursday, April 10.
