Three Comox Valley performers are representing sa国际传媒 at the 2016 Winter X Games this weekend in Aspen, Colorado. Outside of Winter Olympic years, it鈥檚 the biggest thing going on snow.
Spencer O鈥橞rien of Courtenay, who made her Olympic debut at Sochi in 2014, is competing in women鈥檚 snowboard slopestyle, Darcy Sharpe of Comox in men鈥檚 snowboard slopestyle and sister Cassie Sharpe was in action Friday night in the women鈥檚 ski superpipe, narrowly missing the podium with a fourth-place finish.
鈥淎 number of clubs here on the mountain are involved in the development of our kids,鈥� said Peter Gibson, general manager and president of the Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
As in any sport, the ones with real talent begin separating themselves from the pack.
鈥淎ll three of our athletes in the X Games had a passion for it from an early age. They eventually graduate up to Whistler because of the stronger programs there. But they all got their starts here at Mount Washington,鈥� said Gibson.
Part winter carnival and part Mardi Gras on snow for adrenalin seekers, the Winter X Games have become a happening and a TV draw for ESPN in the United States.
The rapidly emerging Darcy Sharpe, who is only 19, and Cassie Sharpe, 23, are X Games rookies as siblings. The veteran O鈥橞rien is 27. All three are poised to give the Island, better known for producing ferry loads of Summer Olympians, solid representation at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
Gibson again touched on the zeal they displayed for being on Mount Washington.
鈥淒arcy would put a sandwich in his back pocket, head out, and he would be gone all day,鈥� said Gibson.
Darcy Sharpe was last year named top performer on the developmental Dew Tour. He has audaciously stepped up to the main senior stage with the horizon laid out in front of his career. He won the silver medal for big air at the 2015 FIS world championships and was fourth in the most recent World Cup event in Switzerland. Sister Cassie, who is coming off a hand injury, was the 2015 FIS World Cup women鈥檚 half-pipe champion.
It鈥檚 been a family affair for the Sharpes. Dad Don Sharpe is the director of marketing and business for Mount Washington.
鈥淒arcy and Cassie got a lot of family support to get to this level,鈥� noted Gibson.
O鈥橞rien, meanwhile, has already arrived and is the real deal 鈥� winning the 2013 FIS world championship and four medals at the last Winter X Games. It鈥檚 been quite a journey from her birthplace of Alert Bay, and first time on skis at age three on Mount Cain, to moving to Courtenay at age four and discovering Mount Washington.
O鈥橞rien and her discipline of slopestyle made their Winter Olympic debuts together at Sochi in 2014. It, however, did not end well when she made the Olympic final but faded to 12th. The Islander鈥檚 tearful reaction in the post-race TV interview prompted Twitter reaction from across the country, with even astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeting his support: 鈥淪nowboarder Spencer O鈥橞rien feels the weight of sa国际传媒 on her shoulders. Spencer, feel our pride and respect.鈥�
O鈥橞rien began her Winter X Games quest Friday night, with her board pointed firmly in the direction of Pyeongchang.
The X Games continue through Sunday.
