The athletes competed in the giants slalom, men and women above 18 category, junior boys and sub-junior girls category and snowboarding and race turn. The two days long skiing events came out as a big draw for the snow sports enthusiasts in the state.
The skiers from Manali, Lahaul, Kaza, Narkanda, Shimla and as far as Mumbai almost the painted the ski slopes red with action on the skis during two days long 2nd Alpine Premier League ( APL).
APL was organised by the Ski Himalayas in association with Baragarh Resort and Spa Manali from 31st January to 1st February 2022.
In the first day of the skiing competition, Aanchal Thakur, an international skier, who comes from Manali won top slot in the senior women giants slalom 18+. Sandhya came second while Tanuja was third in the competition held here today. In the U-18 giant slalom (boys) event, Sahil Thakur came first, Nishant Thakur second and Ankit Vyas was third.
In the Sub junior U-12 (girls), Sashiya Thakur won the event, while Prakriti Sharma came second and Muskaan third. In the Sub-junior boys giants slalom U-12, Prithvi Thakur came first, Prakshit, 2nd and Sanjay Thakur third.
In men giant slalom senior, Heeralal won the first position Yogesh Kumar 2nd and Kirath Krishan 3rd.
In men veteran Giant slaloms Chunilal came first, Muralidhar 2nd and Roshanlal Thakur 3rd. , Gokul Chand fourth and PT Angdu was honoured with 5th prize. In women’s cross country 5 KM Geeta Devi came first, Diksha Thakur second and Nisha Devi third.
In Men’s cross country 5 KM Abhinav Thakur was first, Chandrakant 2nd and Rahul 3rd. In snowboard cross downhill Rinku came first Manish Thakur 2nd and Suraj 3rd. The winners were given the cash prizes by the organisers of the APL. The winners got the cash prizes ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 5000.
APL organiser and MD Ski Himalayas Amitabh Sharma said over 215 athletes from Manali, Lahaul, Narkanda, Shimla, Chopal, Rohru, Kaza as far as Mumbai participated in the two days long event. The idea was to harness local talent so that they develop and learn new skills and participate in international events, he said.
Convenor of the APL Nakul Khullar, who runs his Baragarh Resort and Spa in Manali said the event was a big success as local youth, who got new opportunities to sharpen their skiing talent came out and took part in the events. “The Ski Himalayas has taken a good initiative that will go a long way in promoting winter sports among youth in Himachal Pradesh”, he added.
APL has come as big draw for all the winter sports lovers across the nation and for the tourists as well who enjoyed the events in the backdrop of snowy Rohtang mountains in the valley of gods, said Khullar. “We hope to continue with the APL in years to come”, he added.
