Ski Trip 2007 Wrapup
by James Vallance

Apex Alpine Resort
Penticton, BC
March 22 - 24, 2007

Apex took our Top 25 sales reps to Apex Alpine in Penticton, British Columbia for our annual Winter Ski Trip. In yet another Apex EAST vs. WEST classic - this year, TEAM EAST took home honors as the 2007 APEX Winter Olympic Champs.

Day 1

Foosball Tournament

Gold: Andrew Westlund & Dan Rath (EAST)

Silver: Shawn Safarkah & Faz Frouhar(WEST)

Bronze: Colette Tubbs & Scott Thompson (WEST)

Comments: Tournament Organizer, and top contender Shawn Safarkah was upset in the final by TEAM EAST's Andrew Westlund and Dan Rath. Shawn's partner Faz was overheard saying they'd guarantee a victory and early lead for the WEST. Maybe this display of overconfidence was a sign of things to come!

Pool Tournament

Gold: Arron Rigden & Jeff Weber (EAST)

Silver: Doug McLean & Tyrone Ashmeade (WEST)

Bronze: Dave Darling & Jim Cooke (EAST)

Comments: Upsets all around. Best strategy of the night - hands down goes to WEST's team of Theresa Gardner and David Moon. When Gerry found out that his new store administrator was going to be Theresa, he almost fainted. Too bad April Fools was still another couple weeks away. Theresa and David were able to pull off the unthinkable upset of pre-tournament contenders Jay Lundgren and Gerry Leiper from Team EAST, but in the end it didn't matter as pool sharks Rigden and Weber finessed their way to a trouncing of Doug and Tyrone.

Day 2

After an early breakfast, it was time to hit the slopes. After a few warm up runs everyone met up for the slalom races.

Slalom - Ski

Gold: Rob Robertson (28.00) (WEST)

Silver: Kit O'Kane (29.68) (WEST)

Bronze: Andrew Westlund (30.24) (EAST)

Comments: With Dan Perrett unable to defend his crown - WEST took desperate measures to protect their claim as fastest skiers down the mountain. WEST members Rob and Kit were spotted in the equipment rental shop getting a last minute "wax job" on their skis, which helped them earn themselves top spots. You'd think with all the talk these days about illegal substances in sports, they'd stay away from "enhancing their equipment". Regardless, a tainted victory for the WEST.

Slalom - Snowboard

Gold: Josh Schaper (39.88) (EAST)

Silver: Joel MacDonald (42.56) (EAST)

Bronze: Jim Cooke (43.10) (EAST)

Comments: Where's team WEST? Where's team WEST? You'd think with mountains less than a 30 minute drive from downtown, WEST would be primed to take this event. Note even close as TEAM EAST sweeps the standings. What's with this Schaper guy? Fast Cars, Fast Boarder. Maybe this is why Fayyaz opted out of the boarding competition!

Snow Volleyball in the Village

Winner: TEAM EAST - 2-0 (Game 1 Score: 21-15 - Game 2 Score: 21-18)

Comments: What will no doubt go down in Apex folklore, Joel MacDonald's powerful speech during a time out in Game 1, lifted the spirits of team EAST as they smashed their way to a powerful victory over the WEST in Apex's annual Snow Volleyball Tournament.

Once again, another successful Apex event. Congrats to all the members of TEAM EAST!