Welcome one and all to the greatest outdoor show in mountain biking: Crankworx Whistler. The festival has already begun, with the Canadian Open Downhill set to properly kick off an action-packed week of competition on Sunday.
Plenty of Sea to Sky stars are on deck, including Enduro World Series king Jesse Melamed who looks to defend his title in Whistler, and Andreane Lanthier Nadeau who seeks a second chance after heartbreak in 2022. On the downhill side, Georgia Astle knows the challenge that awaits her, but hopes to take home another medal and make her home fans proud.
Keep your eye on a veritable army of up-and-coming talent as well, talent that has lately been tearing it up on the Canada Cup circuit. Anthony Shelly and Sophi Lawrence have racked up multiple medals in recent weeks, as have Bailey Goldstone and Lucas Cruz. More recently, Gabriel Neron locked up a gold medal of his own.
Though he isn't a mountain biker, James Elliott has made history as the first Canadian to hike and fly over 1,220 kilometres across five Western European countries to finish the Red Bull X-Alps adventure epic.
Whistler Gymnastics coach Catou Tyler also knocked down a milestone by being named Community Coach of the Year.
In golf, James Lee is now a two-time (and record-breaking) BC Junior Boys champion.
The Whistler Wolves saw their season end with a road setback to the Vancouver Dragons.
Looking further ahead on the calendar, women can test their mettle at WORCA's upcoming Witsend enduro while ultra runners missing the Whistler Alpine Meadows can at least scratch that itch with the Rubble Creek Classic.
In winter sports news, Lucinda Jagger (formerly of Whistler Sport Legacies) has been named Canada Snowboard's new Vice President of Sport, and three Whistler Mountain Ski Club athletes qualified for this year's BC Alpine Training Group.
Don't forget about this week's sports trivia.
Check back in with Pique Newsmagazine for the latest Sea to Sky sports news and features highlighting the athletes you know and love.
Have a local sports tip? Contact sports reporter David Song at [email protected].
