Photo: Contributed

More than 250 of the province's best young biking talent will be in the Okanagan today for the BC School Sports High School Mountain Biking Championship.

This annual event is held in a different location every year.

It is considered one of the most prestigious biking events in the province and attracts young talent (13-18) from as many as 35 communities. 

This year, the event is hosted by Salmon Arm Secondary School. 

"There is definitely a lot of excitement in the mountain biking community about the visiting talent, as well as the experience for our SAS riders," says Chris Stromgren is the Salmon Arm Secondary mountain bike coach.

"Historically, Salmon Arm has had a strong team at the BCSS Provincial Championships, where SAS has won four times. We are excited to see what this year brings as hosts of the event."

Racers will compete in two race formats – an All-Mountain cross-country endurance race (9-12km) and an Enduro race consisting of two to three timed downhill stages. 

Stromgren is the event organizer and race director. "Mountain biking has a significant positive impact on our community and an event such as this, focused on youth participation and organized through the hard work of community volunteers and local trail organizations really works to benefit the economic and physical health and well-being of our community."

The official event kicked off last night with course pre-riding at the South Canoe Trail System.

Races today kick off at 8:45 a.m. with the All-Mountain discipline, and then at 12:15 p.m. the Enduro Heats begin. “It will be a weekend of adventure and fantastic competition”, says Stromgren.