Proof that it really was Silver

Following up on the timing malfunction at the National Games that resulted in a Bronze Medal for Cory, there is video proof now that the time posted for the Silver Medalist - we'll call him J - was incorrect and in fact, Cory really did earn a Silver Medal in Slalom.  Unfortunately, the race organizers refuse to do anything about it.  So much for fair competition eh.

Rogers TV live-streamed the event and here is a video of part of J's first run, clearly showing that it took him 22 seconds to complete the last 17 gates - more than half - of the race course:



Now here is J's second run, starting from the same gate...



which clearly shows that he completed the same part of the race course in about the same time he completed it in his first run, 22 seconds.

Now since they posted a time for his second run that was 9 seconds faster than his first, that means he would have had to ski the first 12 gates in his second run 9 seconds faster than he did in his first run, and then completely slow down to ski the last 17 gates at the same speed as his first run - that is just not possible.

But the organizers refuse to look at the video and won't admit that the clock obviously stopped for J's second run, when that blowing snow that obscures him from view in the video caused the sensor at the finish line to stop the clock.

The official times posted for Cory and J are as follows:

1st Run:
Cory 39.21
J 43.51 (4.3 seconds slower than Cory)

2nd Run
Cory 39.67
J 34.85  (4.82 seconds faster than Cory)

In this video, Cory is on the left and J is on the right, both racing the bottom half of the race course starting from the same point.  And J is certainly not nearly 5 seconds faster, in fact, Cory seems to finish about 1 second ahead of J. (15.98 elapsed seconds vs 16.97)



So there it is, clear proof that Cory earned a Silver medal in Slalom at the National Games.  Since Cory's Head Coach chose not to ask for a review of the results when the times were posted (it should be noted that J is in the Head Coach's own club), there is nothing now that can be done.

Fortunately, it appears that the loss of the 2 points associated with a Bronze medal versus Silver will not affect Cory's standing in the selection process for Team Canada for next year's worlds.

But shame on the race organizers to refuse to rectify their error, and well, just how wrong was it of the Team BC Head Coach to allow the results to stand without asking for a review.

But we'll end the season on a much more positive note.  Cory achieved exactly what he set out to achieve and that was to become the 2nd best alpine ski racer in Special Olympics in Canada.

2nd best in Giant Slalom, 2nd best in Super Giant Slalom, and yes, clearly now, 2nd best in Slalom.

And with the gold medalist being the best skier in the world as well as best skier in Canada, that puts Cory in the top 5 ski racers in Special Olympics in the world!

Now that is a positive note!

CADS 2016

Cory attended his second Canadian Association of Disabled Skiers Annual Festival in Kimberley, BC - the same location as his first visit in 2014.

It's a mountain we really enjoy, a great racer mountain with long wide runs, fun terrain, and terrific BC interior snow (much drier snow than on the coast).  And a great view of the valley below and the Purcell Mountains across the way.

Cory also enjoys the format of the event.  As his big races are over by the time of the Festival, it's just a couple of hours of race training in the morning, with a couple of hours of free-skiing in the afternoon, then a couple of hours of socializing with friends in the apres-ski hospitality room.

 Racers & coaches preparing for training...

In training action wearing his new Team BC jacket...

Course inspection under a spectacular blue sky....

and a race course all to yourself....

enough with the training, let's just ski!

Mountain weather is always changeable and we got a bit of fresh snow during a lift ride up...

some steep terrain...

And what is ski racing if not a chance to enjoy a cold locally-brewed beer (Kokanee!) in a hot tub...

A small certification ceremony for the racers marks the end of the Festival...

so then it's on to spectacular Fernie Alpine Resort for our first day at this legendary location

And a long drive home - 13 hours - with some snowy conditions in spots made for an appropriate end to a terrific season for Cory.  A season where he set himself a tough goal, worked hard to prepare for competition, and skied the best races of his life, mission accomplished.