Those following Nelson’s Olympic hopeful Sasha Zaitsoff can catch him competing this weekend in a televised event.
He will be racing Slalom at the Wengen World Cup in Switzerland on Sunday, January 19. The race will be televised on CBC TV at 1 p.m.
The 23-year-old got his start racing with the Nancy Greene ski league in Fernie before moving with his family to Nelson where he continued training with the Red Mountain Racers.
Last weekend, Zaitsoff continued his push to secure an Olympic spot – one of 12 spots available to the Canadian National Team. He skied the Adelboden World Cup under tough conditions.
“It was spring conditions,” relayed Zaitsoff’s mother Elaine who is closely following her son’s progress from her home in Nelson. “Sasha said it was very strange seeing green grass in the mountains.”
By the time Zaitsoff skied the run had deteriorated and while he finished the race, he didn’t qualify for the second run.
Making the Olympic team has been a dream since early childhood.
“We are proud of Sasha's accomplishments whether he reaches his final goal or not,” Elaine said. “His work ethic, passion, commitment and drive at striving for these goals have made him a confident young man who can take on anything and can give back much to the community.”
Whenever the athlete visits home he takes time to ski with local kids training at Whitewater, something he thoroughly enjoys.