Whitehorse snowboarders Max Melvin-McNutt and Alexander Chisholme produced strong results in two different disciplines when they competed in neighbouring provinces on the weekend.
Competing in his first event of the season, Chisholme won a bronze medal in snowboardcross at the Western SNX Series in the Lake Louise, Alta., on Saturday.
“It was great being out competing again,” said the 20-year-old. “I emphasize that I really enjoy the sport and really enjoy the competition aspect of the sport. I can’t wait to be out there again.”
For the bronze, Chisholme advanced through two qualifying rounds to make the final. Just making it through the first round was a big deal, he said.
“I was really happy with that because the people I was competing against all had really expensive race boards and I’m just on a normal snowboard,” said Chisholme. “This weekend definitely showed that I enjoy the event and definitely want to pursue it further. I’m looking for a race board next season for sure.”
An International Ski Federation sanctioned event, Chisholme earned one point in the federation’s ranking system, thereby securing a spot at the Canadian Snowboard Nationals near Calgary at the start of April.
“I want to represent the Yukon at nationals this year in snowboardcross,” said Chisholme.
Melvin-McNutt continued to shine as the Yukon’s first boarder to make the B.C. Provincial Freestyle Team.
Competing at a BCSA Provincial Slopestyle competition in Sun Peaks, B.C., on the weekend, the 17-year-old came fourth overall - second in the 15-18 age group - on Saturday. He then took fifth overall and fourth for his age group on Sunday.
In his first competition with Team B.C. two weeks ago at Big White near Kelowna, B.C., Melvin-McNutt finished second out of 68 athletes and first for his age category.
“I’m glad I’m at this level now and I’m doing well with it,” Melvin-McNutt told the News after Big White. “I’m one of the top guys in B.C. right now, so it’s pretty sick. I’m glad I’m doing so well.”
The two boarders, who are also friends, have been teammates in the past. They both competed on behalf of the Yukon at three major Games: the 2008 and 2010 Arctic Winter Games and the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
Chisholme won bronze medals in snowboardcross in both Arctic Games and finished 17th at the Canada Games. At the 2010 Arctic Games, he won the overall gold medal in the junior male category.
A year ago at the Canada Games, Melvin-McNutt took eighth in the halfpipe for the Yukon’s best finish in snowboarding. At the 2010 Arctic Games, he was awarded the overall silver in the juvenile boys division.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com