After strong performances at Panorama Mountain Village four local skiers have earned the right to represent either British Columbia or Alberta at the K2 National Championships in Collingwood, Ontario between March 21 and 25.

Three members from Team Panorama will be representing Alberta while one member of the Windermere Valley Ski Club will also be heading out to the 2011 President’s Choice K2 Canadian Championships.

Makena Jones, Keegan Sharp and Keelan Wittstock all qualified for the Alberta team while Courtney Hoffos will be the lone representative on the B.C. provincial team this year.

This championship will bring the best 13-15-year old skiers in Canada together to test their skills against each other.

“It is pretty cool. It will be interesting to see all of the other skiers from across Canada. This should be a great competition,” said Wittstock.

This is the first chance for the skiers to go to a competition of this magnitude and though they all hope to do their best the young skiers also see this as a chance to gain much needed experience.

“I am excited. This is a big trip for me. The experience is important. It is a chance to ski against the best skiers in Canada,” Hoffos said.

Head coach Mark Sharp of Team Panorama also sees the benefit of the race for the skiers. “I think to get there it takes a lot of hard work. You can’t take it easy and these skiers are on the right track.”

Sharp also said it was important that the clubs look to the individual benefit for the skiers on a long term basis.

For this reason the decision was made that even though Keegan Sharp qualified, he would not go to nationals this year and will most likely head to a Western Championships instead.