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Audi sponsoring Alpine team

The Canadian Alpine Ski Team and Alpine Canada have been without a major automotive sponsor after their longstanding partnership with Pontiac GMC expired this year, but Audi Canada announced on Monday that they would step up to the plate with a long-term sponsorship of their own.

The company, based in Ajax, Ontario, will support alpine, para-alpine and ski cross programs through 2014 - the year of the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The new partnership was effective immediately.

"We are delighted to partner with Audi Canada," said Alpine Canada president Max Gartner. "Audi has a long association with the sport of ski racing as title sponsor of the FIS World Cup and we look forward to continuing our winning tradition in partnership with a brand we have long admired."

By sponsoring Alpine Canada, Audi will have booked real estate on some of alpine and ski cross's biggest stars, including world champions Erik Guay (downhill), Chris Del Bosco and Kelsey Serwa (both ski cross), as well as Olympic ski cross champion Ashleigh McIvor. The alpine time will also get stronger this year with the return of several athletes from injury, including 2009 world champion John Kucera.

Alpine Canada currently has two "gold" partners including Audi, with the other being the Osisko Mining Corporation based in Quebec. "Summit" level partners include Canadian Pacific, Hermes, Spyder and Telus; "Official" partners are Mike Wiegel Helicopter Skiing, Kenwood, Cold-FX, Air Canada and Sport Chek; funding partners are Own The Podium, the Government of Canada, Alpine Canada's Podium Club and the Alberta Lottery Fund.

 

Paddler off to Hawaii

Cheryl Skribe of the fledgling Whistler Rowing Club is heading out with a Canadian team to the Open Ocean World Championships taking place in Hawaii next week.

Paddling an outrigger canoe, the team will start off with a 42km race from Maui to Molokai on Sept. 17, warming up for the 66km paddle from Molokai to Oahu.

The team is the current world champion in the sprint and long distance outrigger races.

 

Semenuk third at Red Bull District Ride

The World Freeride Mountain Bike Tour wrapped up its world tour with a street event in Nuremberg on Sept. 9 - one of a handful of top tier "Diamond" level events. Whistler's Brandon Semenuk had already locked up the overall title but went hard in Nuremberg anyway to take third overall in that contest. Martin Soderstrom of Sweden placed second, while British rider Sam Pilgrim took the win.

Other Canadians in the final were Anthony Messere, who placed seventh and Darren Berrecloth in 11th.

The stunts were wood, the landing ramps a mix of wood and dirt and bales of hay were placed around the stunts in case of a crash. It was the longest slopestyle course ever built, measuring over one kilometre from the entry ramp to the last landing ramp.

When the tour points were handed out, Semenuk finished 2011 with 4,090, followed by Cameron Zink with 3,439.5 and Sam Pilgrim with 3,348.75. Anthony Messere, a 15-year-old from the Surrey area, placed fourth, Darrent Berrecloth was ninth and Kurtis Sorge - another B.C. rider - was 10th.

 

Youth football teams open season

The Sea to Sky Broncos and Whistler Saints football teams both played their season openers this past weekend. The Broncos Pee Wee team, which plays in a full contact league using NFL rules, lost 22-14 to the West Vancouver Colts. Devon bailey scored once on a 60-yard kickoff return, while Jack Forsyth rushed for one touchdown and a two-point conversion. Sam Johnston, Xavier Catoret and Nolan Robinson Nault combined for 12 tackles on defence.

The Whistler Saints, which play in a flag football league, drew 8-8 against the North Vancouver Packers. Luke Haasen had a touchdown and kicked a two-point conversion.

The teams are still recruiting for the long season ahead. The teams practice every Tuesday and Thursday at Spring Creek, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. To register for the Saints (ages 6 to 9), contact Ralph Forsyth at 604-935-0301. For the Broncos (ages 10-11) contact Derek Schumann at 604-962-0300.

 

Loop the Lakes on Sunday

This Sunday, Sept. 18 marks the return of the Loop the Lakes trail run to Squamish with 8km and 15km courses available based out of Alice Lake Provincial Park. Registration is available a 7:45 a.m. on race day until 8:45 a.m. for $30 - or $25 if you bring a non-perishable item for the Squamish Food Bank.

The 15km race gets underway at 9 a.m., and the 8km race at 9:10 a.m. There is also a kids one-kilometre race, staring at 11 a.m.

While it's the same day as the Terry Fox Run, the organizers are encouraging trail runners to make it their Terry Fox Run this year by making an online donation to the Terry Fox Foundation.

For more, visit www.challengebychoice.ca.

 

Pemberton hosting Karate tournament

The Pemberton Karate Club is hosting it's second annual Qepen Karate Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Ullus Community Complex in Mount Currie. This tournament will double as a First Nations Karate Tournament, with special trophies for First Nations participants.

The tournament is for all ages and levels, include children and white belts. The tournament runs from 10 a.m. onward.

 

Women's hockey league hosting draft night

The Whistler Women's Hockey League is looking for new players, and will be recruiting at their annual draft night on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. for

Participants will start out with a free skate and drills before moving into a scrimmage.

Representatives from all six local teams will be on hand to recruit players they need for the season, based on how their teams finished last year.

You need to be at least 19 years old and have full equipment to take part. As well you should be a decent skater and know the rules of the game, and how things like shift changes work. Prior hockey experience is an asset and will increase your chance of making a team.

 

Whistler Wolfpack looking for a den

The Whistler Wolfpack women's roller derby team is off to a great start with two coaches and enough skaters to form two teams - creating a local league for girls to practice before taking part in games against teams from other communities. And there's still a week to go before registration wraps up on Sept. 15.

What the team is lacking right now is a place to practice. They've moved from underground parking lots to hotel parking lots, but are looking for a venue with a smooth floor and enough room for a track - about 30 metres long and 18 metres wide.

If you're interested in joining the team, which hopes to start competing in the New Year, or if you have a space available where the team can train, email whistlerwolfpack@gmail.com.