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Sports Briefs: Whistler added to new Enduro World Series

Whistler added to new Enduro World Series In between the diverging mountain bike sports of cross-country and downhill, a new category of bikes and biking has arisen recently — freeriding.
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Whistler added to new Enduro World Series

In between the diverging mountain bike sports of cross-country and downhill, a new category of bikes and biking has arisen recently — freeriding. The bikes are a hybrid of cross-country and downhill bikes, and riders are not opposed to long climbs in the mountains to get to the best descents.

The trend has sparked a new category of enduro events that are huge in Europe and are starting to draw more attention in North America as well. Basically, riders will do a long course with several climbs and descents in a day, but will only be timed on certain sections — sometimes on technical climbs, but usually on the long, technical descents.

Crankworx Whistler, it was announced this week, has been confirmed as host for one of the seven international events that will be included in the new Enduro World Series, which will launch in 2013.

The event, sanctioned by the Enduro Mountain Bike Association, will launch in May in Punta Ala, Italy before heading to France for the an event at Val d'Allos and Crankworx Les 2 Alpes. After that the tour will come to North America for the Colorado Freeride Festival (July 27-28) and Crankworx Whistler (Aug. 10-11) before returning to Europe for events at Val d'Isere, France and Ligure Italy. The complete schedule is at www.enduroworldseries.com.

There was a bit of foreshadowing that the event would be coming to Whistler with Darren Kinnaird, the manager of both Crankworx festivals being named to the world series' board of directors the previous week. The tour itself was confirmed on Nov. 22.

"Since the series was announced on Nov. 22, we had a really short time frame to pull together the 2013 Enduro World Series calendar," said Chris Ball, managing director for the series. "EMBA has worked incredibly hard to produce a calendar that includes the biggest endure races in the best locations, on the best trails in the world. We're really excited about our 2013 events and we are proud to embrace the Enduro Des Nations event in France, the birthplace of the sport."

Garibaldi Open House tonight

The open house on the draft plan of the Garibaldi Park Management Plan takes place today, Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Whistler Conference Centre, providing the public an opportunity to comment on plans regarding the area of the park adjacent to Whistler.

Currently the draft plan supports the creation of a hut network on the Spearhead Traverse and heli-skiing within the area, but is opposed to reintroducing mountain biking to the Singing Pass area. The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association has created its own proposal for allowing uphill-only biking on the Singing Pass trail and then building a downhill to Cheakamus Lake. They are encouraging their 1,800 members to come out and voice their support for the plan at the Dec. 6 meeting.

To see the draft plan, visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp.html.

BC Bike Race sold out

The 2013 edition of the seven-stage BC Bike Race is officially sold out, a full five months earlier than the 2012 race.

The 2013 race runs June 29 to July 6, with each day of the race focusing on a different riding region. It starts on Vancouver Island, moves on to the Sunshine Coast and then finishes with epics in Squamish and Whistler. There are usually two course options for every stop, including a long distance marathon-style "Epic" option and a shorter "Challenge" option for recreational riders. Early Bird rates were $1,499 including transportation and camp amenities. The food plan is another $375 for the week.

More information about this year's route will be posted online as it becomes available at www.bcbikerace.com.

Swimmers go the distance

The Whistler Sea Wolves Swim Club held their very first 5km Swim-a-Thon at Meadow Park on Nov. 25, with 29 swimmers in the pool for two hours. Together they logged over 100 kilometres, raising money and pledges for the club.

The goal for each athletes wa to swim 200 lengths of the 25-metre pool, or as many as they could fit in. Some actually went farther than that.

The club is headed to a meet in Victoria this weekend and has a full competitive season ahead. The fundraising will help to purchase training equipment for the club and help with competition costs.

For more, www.whistlerseawolves.com.

Events Calendar

What: Fast Food: Skeleton Slide for Hunger

Where: Whistler Sliding Centre

When: Monday, Dec. 10, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m..

The Whistler Sliding Centre is inviting locals to come out and try the sport of skeleton to support food banks in Pemberton Whistler and Squamish. For one day only the cost of the skeleton ride is just $50, with all the proceeds going to charity. "This event gives anyone who hasn't yet had the chance an opportunity to come out and try skeleton for themselves," said sliding centre director Tracy Seitz. As well as try skeleton, participants can register a team of five for a "Local's Cup" challenge with the chance to win prizes for the fastest teams. There will also be prizes for the fastest sliders. For more information and registration, visit www.whistlerslidingcentre.ca.

What: Kokanee Valley Race Series

Where: Blackcomb Mountain

When: Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.

Join in the fun of the KVRS, a series of eight races taking place over the course of the winter. The opening event is a giant slalom on Gandy Dancer/Ross's Gold. The cost is $29 if you register in advance at Guest Relations, going up to $35 on race day at the Rendezvous Lodge. All participants are invited to the after-party and can win draw prizes donated by sponsors. For more, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

What: Park Rider Ski and Snowboard Event

Where: Blackcomb Mountain

When: Sunday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m.

The first event of the series is billed as an "All-Rounder Park Jam," with participants sessioning various features of the park. All ages and both skiers and snowboarders are welcome, and all participants are eligible to win draw prizes. Registration is $29 in advance at Guest Relations, and is available until 9:45 a.m. on race day at the Rendezvous Lodge for $35. Participants can expect professional judging, music and live commentary.

If you have a sports competition or events for the calendar, please email andrew@piquenewsmagazine.com.