WCHA Revelstoke 2014 – Recap
The past weekend came and went in a blur of dirt and 2-stroke smoke at the 1st annual Revelstoke Hillclimb competition hosted by WCHA at Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR). The event was finalized last minute on Tuesday due to a concerning lack of snow, but in the end, William Eaton, groomer extraordinaire, farmed up enough slush to compose the course for the weekend event. 48 riders of all skill levels came out and entered various events, with farthest traveller hailing from Onion Lake, SK.
Personally, it was my first time being present at a hillclimb event and I can promise you that it won’t be my last. I entered the womens’ open category only and wish I had entered into more classes. It is an entire different side of sledding than I am used to. The anxiety and excitement involved with the racing side of it is very addicting and the community aspect is pretty fun too, everybody is hanging out and chit-chatting in the pits all day. The organizers consist of a small crew from Grand Prairie, Alberta including Tyler Collett, Darren Brochu, Jonathan Penner, Steve Penner, Ivan Celuszak and Les Driedger. These guys developed the idea from Timber Metcalf, a friend of theirs who just didn’t have the time to build it. The goal is to create a hillclimb circuit in BC and Alberta in an attempt to grow the sport and bring it back to life. Ultimately, the WCHA circuit could act as a training tool to help riders grow into the coveted Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association (RMSHA) which can be recognized by the infamous Jackson Hole World Championship Hillclimb. This season was the premier year for WCHA and the group intends to expand into multiple venues next season and add pro and am classes to the program. I am looking really forward to seeing what happens with it in the future and getting out and seeing the local talent battle it out on the slopes including the boys from Backus Racing, Top Secret Shop and Carl Kuster. I have to admit, I was a little intimidated when I first showed up, wondering what possessed me to enter this contest – I have never seen a hillclimb event in real life let alone compete in one! But all the veterans were super helpful and keen to bring new people into the sport and that made it really easy for a beginner like me to get comfortable jumping on board. – Written by Nadine Overwater
Family event for team Overwater
Carl Kuster on the opening berm. Photo by Kathy Burke
First berm of the course was a bit rowdy. Photo by Kathy Burke
Day 1 carnage. There was surprisingly little of this kind of action. Photo by Brianna Lukkar
Course was a little light on snow but everyone still made it happen.
What’s a sledding event without Heber Fullmer there to document it with his 3D rig?
The sun did pop out for at least 30 seconds.
Derek Wood pinning it to a 4th place finish.
Carl Kuster nearing the top. He won several races but not all of them.
Entertainment during the event.
T3 x 3 at the RTR tent.
Trucks and sleds. Sleds and trucks.
Nadine Overwater on her way to winning the women’s class. Photo by Brianna Lukkar.
Awesome awards presentation venue courtesy of RMR
The winners who stuck around for the awards
times for 800 improved class
Other results
Official Results
