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Sports Briefs

Test of Metal romances waitlist

For the estimated 500 people waiting to get spots in the 2007 Test of Metal, organizers are offering a series of contests to help more enthusiastic riders jump into empty spots.

The first contest is due at noon on Feb. 14, as waitlisters are asked to submit 200 words on their most romantic Valentine’s Day. Test of Metal staff will narrow the selection down to five finalists, and event chief Cliff Miller will pick the winner.

If you’re on the list, send your submission to signup@testofmetal.com .

In other Test news, mountain bike instructor Diana Kilby will be hosting the Test of Metal Training Weekends on April 14-15 and April 28-29. The classes are open to both men and women, of all ages and abilities.

Kilby will provide participants with eight-week training programs, nutritional tips, race-day preparation tips, and suggestions for pacing during the race and for post-race recovery. As well, Kilby will cover skills development, and pre-ride sections of technical trails above Alice Lake as well as the Powerhouse Plunge.

The cost is $240 for the camp, or $280 with race entry. To register, contact Kilby at 604-984-0170 or e-mail ridingbetty@yahoo.com .

Finally, more information is available on the Pre-Test Race on June 9, taking place on a shorter 40 km course. First place in all adult categories will receive spots in the Test of Metal the following Saturday, second place will earn spots in the Gearjammer, and third place will earn entries in the newly formed Grass Roots Mountain Bike Association.

Sign-on is available on the Test website at www.testofmetal.com . The race will be limited to 250 racers, with a separate, shorter race for teens.

 

Queen of the Rail this Saturday

It’s ladies first, second and third this Saturday night as Whistler-Blackcomb hosts the third annual Queen of the Rails contest — the women’s only counterpart to the regular King of the Rails events.

The event is open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages, and as always will be judged by the participants at the end of a 1.5 hour jam session at the base of Blackcomb.

Sign-on gets underway at 5 p.m. in the Blackcomb Daylodge, there is a competitor meeting at 5:45 p.m., and the jam runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $5 to participate, with a valid Night Moves lift pass, and the top skiers and snowboarders in adult and youth categories will receive a share of the entry fees. As well, all participants are eligible to win draw prizes.

Spectators are welcome to come out and cheer on the athletes from the sidelines.

 

LUNA drop-in nights continue through February

LUNA is offering drop-in sports nights through the month of February, offering a fun, co-ed atmosphere to get your heart pumping.

On Monday, Feb. 12, LUNA is hosting drop-in floor hockey at Whistler Secondary from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bring non-marking gym sneakers and sports clothes, as well $3 for LUNA members and $5 for non-members. No experience is necessary.

The following Monday, Feb. 19, the sport is dodgeball — same time, same place, same price.

As well, LUNA is hosting a drop-in Jam Lounge on Friday, Feb. 16 at 18 Below (Base II) from 7 to 11 p.m.

 

Rock slide cancels Winterhawks games

Although they had another busy weekend schedule ahead of them, Whistler’s minor hockey teams were turned back by Sunday’s rock slide and highway closure. As a result teams played just home games this past weekend, mostly on Saturday.

The Atom Rep team won one and tied against Burnaby, bringing their record to 14-3-5 on the year. Their next home game is this Saturday at 10 a.m.

The Peewee C1 team beat Squamish 7-2, bringing their record to 7-3-2 on the season. They play at home on Sunday at 9 a.m.

Batam C1 also managed a pair of games, losing 3-2 to North Van and beating Squamish 5-2 to bring their record to an above .500 10-9-0. They play at home on Saturday at 3:15 p.m.

Midget C2 beat North Van 5-4, bringing their record to 12-4-0.

 

Cougars poised to move into second

The Squamish Cougars are one point back of the second place New Westminster Whalers in the WHA Junior West Hockey League, with a home and home series against the struggling Armstrong Sharks. They will be at Brennan Park in Squamish this Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile New Westminster is facing the top-ranked Lumby Fighting Saints, as well as Armstrong in an afternoon game on Sunday.

 

Canada hires ski cross consultant

Although it’s still up in the air whether ski cross will be featured in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Canadian Snowsports Association has hired Calgary’s Cameron Bailey to serve as the CSA Ski Cross High Performance Consultant.

Bailey’s task over the next four months will be to investigate, research, and provide the CSA Ski Cross Advisory Committee and Own the Podium 2010 with a series of recommendations towards creating a national high performance strategic plan for the sport.

In November the IOC approved ski cross as a new Olympic discipline, and the sport could be included as soon as 2010 if the Vancouver Organizing Committee decides that it’s technically and financially possible to host the event. They are also looking at Canada’s prospects, and whether we are capable of winning a medal in the event.

If not in 2010, the event will be held at the 2014 Olympics.

The International Ski Federation currently considers ski cross to be a freestyle discipline, although it has more in common with Alpine events and a majority of athletes are former alpine racers. However, Alpine Canada is participating in the high performance strategic plan, and may take over the management of a national ski cross team from the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association.

 

Squash League, week 10

Team                                  Points Total

Summit Sport                    17        155

Slope Side Supply            14        126

Splash Nash Spas 14        121

Valley Bus. Ctr.      13        115

Scotia Bank                       13        107

McDonald’s                      0          90

Meadow Park                    1          90

Mountain Crests    10        90

Hilton                                 3          87

Whistler Medical   18        87

IT Pharmacy                      4          86

Affinity Sports        4          82

VIP Holidays                     7          78

Sun Dog Eyewear 6          68