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Second Phat weekend takes on new trails

Whistler Mountain Bike Park trail crews are a busy bunch, from physically clearing snow and debris off the trails to get them open, to maintaining the existing 200km network of trails.
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Whistler Mountain Bike Park trail crews are a busy bunch, from physically clearing snow and debris off the trails to get them open, to maintaining the existing 200km network of trails. They are also hard at work on new trails, and recently finished a new section called Funshine Rolly Drops that was featured in the second Phat Weekend downhill race this past weekend. The course also included Smoke and Mirrors, Blueseum, Wednesday Night Delight, Afternoon Delight and Lower Whistler Downhill.

The prize money — $1,500 — brought out the top racers once again, with Bike Park power couple Chris Kovarik and Claire Buchar winning their respective categories for the second Phat Weekend with solid margins.

In the men's open category, Kovarik finished that long list of trails in 2:44.93, with Remi Gauvin of the BC Team taking second in 2:50.36 and Cameron Porteous placing third in 2:51.25. Junior racer Zander Geddes crashed the open category once again with the hope of winning some prize money, placing fourth in 2:54.08. Rounding out the top 10 were Denis Courchesne in 2:54.64, Jordan Hodder in 2:56.57, Joshua Full in 2:56.73, Trev Burke in 2:59.86, Justin Dale in 3:01.70 and Paul Sales in 3:03.02.

In the female open race, Buchar finished in a speedy 3:11.27, followed by Pat Moreno in 3:43.86 and Simmone Lyons in 3:51.51. Kari Mancer was a close fourth in 3:51.55, Kate Whitley was fifth in 3:54.83, Deanne Lazaruk was sixth in 4:07.51 and Rose Oakhill was seventh in 4:46.02.

In master male 30-plus, Chris Dewar was first in 2:56.44, Shane Gayton was second in 2:59.88 and Steve Storey was third in 3:00.67. Rounding out the top 10 were Robin Potvin in 3:01.58, Jon Moon in 3:03.70, Richard Bedford in 3:05.73, Adam Dagg in 3:07.12, Dom Wrapson in 3:10.10, Zach Wade in 3:11.00 and Jeff Leigh in 3:21.93.

In junior, Tiago Azzi was first in 2:56.33, edging out Jack Iles and his time of 2:56.73. Finn Iles was third in 3:12.34, followed by Bradley Jansen in 3:15.11, Jackson Bathgate in 3:21.90, Alex Auger in 3:25.12, Tyler Tourond in 3:26.61, Conrad Murdoch in 3:33.92, Cooper Bathgate in 3:34.88 and Adam Woodhouse in 3:36.65.

The second Phat Weekend race wrapped up the downhill race season for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, which closes on Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 8. The final event is the second annual Chasse au Tressor scavenger hunt event and Thanksgiving dinner.

'Chasse Au Tresor' scavenger hunt in bike park this weekend

Most events in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park understandably revolve around speed in some way, with the odd event that rewards style or endurance. The Chasse au Tresor scavenger hunt, taking place this Saturday, Oct. 6, is completely different, and will reward things like teamwork, knowledge of the park, persistence and general mountain bike knowledge. Speed matters, but a lot less than the ability to follow the clues.

Riders must participate in teams of two or four. The ultimate goal is the Grand Prize, a 2013 Bike Park Pass, plus all the items donated by the usual event sponsors. Sram drivetrains, Kali helmets, handlebars, cranks, GoPro cameras and gear, and more.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. and runs to 10:30 a.m. on the GLC patio, and will be followed by a rider's meeting at 11:00 a.m. The search gets underway at 11:15 a.m., with riders following the clues and filling their passports with checkpoint stamp. The winning team will be decided based on their time and how well they solve the final puzzle.

The awards are tentatively scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the GLC.

Riders are encouraged to stick around or come back to the GLC later for the now annual turkey dinner, which gets underway at 5:30 p.m. with all the fixings and a complimentary Kokanee. The dinner is followed by a screening of entries in the amateur video contest, "What's Your Element."

The cost is $10 to take part in the Chasse au Tresor, the turkey dinner is $25, and special lift tickets are available for $16 for participants who don't have passes.

For more, www.whistlerbike.com.