Skilled cyclists will be returning to Sicamous this summer after the district secured the Canadian qualifier for the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships.
The recently announced schedule includes the Sicamous stop on June 7 as one of the international qualifiers after a successful debut last year. Organizer Carly Procyshyn described the event as "awesome" at the time, adding that she heard a lot of positive comments from competitors.
"The feedback from the international riders was our track is so incredibly unique, it's like a riding experience because you're in the trees, you've got the caboose in the background," Procyshyn told the Observer after last year's event. "It's just such a unique location versus a lot of tracks that are plopped out in the middle of a field."
Such reviews helped put Sicamous back on the diverse list of 20 qualifier stops, an increase from the 15 last year due to more countries participating in the growing sport.
"New destinations join the qualifiers this year, bringing fresh energy to the series," a media release reads. "Armenia and Nepal, will host qualifiers for the first time on Pump for Peace tracks, continuing the mission to make cycling accessible to all."
The winners from each event will earn a ticket to the finale set in Monthey, Switzerland on Sept. 5 to wrap up the season of "thrills, spills and unforgettable memories."
