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Nordics Twoonie race goes classic

Tonight (Jan. 28), the weekly Whistler Nordics Twoonie Race is a classic race rather than the usual skate. If you don't have equipment then Cross Country Connection will provide Whistler Nordics members with gear before the start of the race.

Tonight (Jan. 28), the weekly Whistler Nordics Twoonie Race is a classic race rather than the usual skate. If you don't have equipment then Cross Country Connection will provide Whistler Nordics members with gear before the start of the race.

It's also a headlamp race, veering off the lighted trails at Lost Lake to enjoy more of the terrain.

Sign-in is at the Cross Country Connection at 5:30 p.m., the start is at 6 p.m. Get there early if you need to purchase a Whistler Nordics membership or pick up classic skis for the race.

The cost is the usual $2 for Whistler Nordics members, but as one of the "try-a-twoonie" events on the calendar non-members can also participate for $5. A map of the course is available at www.whistlernordics.com.

There are two events remaining after tonight. The Feb. 4 race is sponsored by Cross Country Connection and the Feb. 11 event by Quinny's Café.

Some good rivalries are emerging this winter. For the second week in a row Callaghan Valley Training Centre skier Thomsen D'Hont battled for the win with Olympic biathlon manager Max Saenger. Both finished with times of 25:30, although the edge went to D'Hont by a fraction of a second after two laps in the dark. Emil Svensson, a Swedish skier, was just behind in 25:36. Rounding out the top 10 were Antoine Arcand, Colin Bell, Munro Duncan, Brent Murdoch, Markov Andrey, Matteo Abel and Sean Anderson.

Aurlei Germain was the top female completing two laps. Boyd McTavish won the one lap race in 21:30, with Sarah Sladen first among the women.

The junior categories were competitive as always. Jack Iles won the boys' one lap race in 30:34, with Michael Murdoch and Finn Iles placing second and third with identical times of 21:49. Akiko Clarke won the girls' race in 21:50, followed by Jennifer McTavish in 22:21 and Katie Madden in 22:34.

 

Whistler XC skiers strong at Overlander Ski Marathon

A group of local skiers headed to the Stake Lake Nordic Centre outside of Kamloops for the annual Overlander Ski Marathon, competing on courses ranging from 50 km for open men and women to just 1.5 km for the younger kids.

All of the Whistler athletes competed in the 30 km loppet, with Brent Murdoch placing fifth overall and second in men's 40 to 49, Robbie Metza placing eighth and second in men's 50 to 59, Matteo Abel placing 20 th and seventh in men's 40 to 49 and Birken Metza 29 th and third in men's 18 to 29.

 

Germany leads World Cup medal count

As of Jan. 25 Germany was firmly in the lead in World Cup medals in Olympic sports with 171 to Canada's 123. The U.S. was third with 116, and Austria fourth with 92.

Germany's domination in luge had a lot to do with it, with the team earning 38 medals this year to Canada's zero. They also have 10 medals in biathlon.

That doesn't mean that Canada will place second to Germany in the Olympics - Only nine medals are up for grabs in luge, and other countries will win at least a few of those. As well, there are only a handful of biathlon events - eight in total for men and women - other countries will also factor in that sport.

By comparison, Canada is expected to win medals in hockey and curling and is a favourite in all of the freestyle disciplines.

 

Whistler riders unbeaten in Australian DH series

Whistler's Chris Kovarik and Claire Buchar are having a blast riding in Australia and have now won their respective categories in the first two events of the Australian National Downhill Series. Considering the number of top-tier World Cup riders to come from Down Under it's a good sign for Whistler's fastest couple.

Kovarik is originally from Australia and Buchar is a Canadian who has called Whistler home for a decade. They both compete on the World Cup downhill circuit, and recently started spending their winters is Australia and their summers in Whistler.

Buchar was not the official winner given that she's not an Australian, but she was still allowed to compete.