Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Will Routley beats field up Cypress

One week after placing top-five in the Fantastic Four road race in Kelowna, Whistler’s Will Routley showed up with fresh legs to the inaugural Cypress Challenge on Saturday — a 12 km race from the service yard to the Hollyburn cross-country area on a

One week after placing top-five in the Fantastic Four road race in Kelowna, Whistler’s Will Routley showed up with fresh legs to the inaugural Cypress Challenge on Saturday — a 12 km race from the service yard to the Hollyburn cross-country area on a punishing 5.7 per cent pitch. Riders gained close to 900 metres on the climb.

It was Routley’s day. He was the first rider to the finish line in a time of 30 minutes and 53 seconds, 10 seconds ahead of his Symmetrics Cycling teammate Andrew Pinfold.

Routley currently sits second in the B.C Cup standings by just three points with three wins in five races. The last event in the series is a time trial Sunday, Aug. 26 where Routley will have a chance to pull into first overall.

 

Phat Wednesday ends with chainless race

The sixth and final Phat Wednesday downhill race of the season takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 29, once again with a chainless race on A-Line.

The format is the same as past races, with sign-on getting underway at 5 p.m. and the first racers heading down at 6 p.m. The cost is $2 to participate, with a lift pass and membership to the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association, with the proceeds going to the top riders in each category.

As a special bonus, Sram is handing out free chains to the first 150 competitors. Upwards of 200 riders may take part, so get there early.

As the last race of the year, it’s become a Phat Wednesday tradition for riders to wear costumes, and the best costumes will be awarded at the after party at the GLC.

 

Soo Valley Rumble added to Month of Pain

September has always been busy for events, and last year the collection of running and cycling events was christened “the Month of Pain”. This year the Month of Pain returns with a new cycling event taking place on the Samurai of Singletrack weekend that is open to the public.

The Soo Valley Rumble will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15 on a course to be named at the Sept. 13 Loonie Race. The race is presented by the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association and Chromag bikes, and will cost $15 to enter.

 

Cat Smiley takes third ISSA award

Whistler fitness trainer Cat Smiley was presented the International Sports Sciences Association’s Canadian Trainer of the Year award for the third consecutive year last week in recognition of her work to improve fitness and treat obesity.

Smiley runs the popular Boot Camp fitness program in Whistler, and last year launched a new program called Fat Camp that immerses obese clients into a full-time regimen that includes workouts, healthy eating and psychological counseling.

Smiley is also the head of Kick Ass Workouts, which includes The Original Boot Camp, Cat Smiley Boot Camp, Jump School, Nutrition Summit, personal training, Shape-Up Vacations, motivational speaking and fitness writing. She is currently working to franchise Kick Ass Workouts outside of Whistler.

 

Registration underway for Fall and Winter programs

The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s parks and recreation department launched their registration for fall and winter programs last week, with a full list of activities available online at www.whistler.ca and the Meadow Park Sports Centre. Programs include swimming, aerobics, fitness training, squash, cycling, running, a wide variety of sports and education programs for children, and drop-in volleyball, basketball and hockey.

Many programs do fill up, especially for younger children, and early registration is recommended.

 

Strut Your Stuff set for Sept. 8

The annual Strut Your Stuff community registration fair will return on Sept. 8, giving parents a one-stop opportunity to register their children for programs like gymnastics, dance, minor hockey, figure skating, ski racing, and a variety of other programs. More than a dozen local sports organizations will be hosting sign-up tables, and there is room for more — to reserve a table, call 604-935-8350.

In addition to registration, Whistler Minor Hockey and the Whistler Skating Club will be hosting an equipment exchange. Parents can also apply for grants from Kidsport Whistler to help with registration and equipment costs. Kidsport grants are also available by contacting Sheila Mozes at 604-905-9393, or Janet McDonald at 604-932-0113.

 

Mosher on top down under

Tyler Mosher’s bid to represent Canada at home in Whistler in the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games got another boost last weekend in New Zealand, where he was training with the Para-Nordic National Team. Mosher placed first in the men’s open 21 km race for his age category and 24 th overall. Mosher, who is 40 per cent paralyzed below the waste, was competing on Classic skis in a field of mostly skate skiers, and was the third classic skier to the line.

 

West Side Wheel Up returns Sept. 8

The 14 th annual West Side Wheel Up bike race returns on Sept. 8, once again raising funds for the B.C. Disabled Ski Team.

The race takes place on Whistler’s west side, starting with a sprint down Millar Creek Road from Function Junction, a short piece of Alta Lake Road, and a selection of trails that includes Lower Sproatt, Upper and Lower Beaver Pass, Whip Me Snip Me, Rebob and the entire length of A River Runs Through It.

Sign-on is from 10 a.m. at the entrance to Function Junction, and the race gets underway at noon. The cost is $20 to enter, which includes refreshments and a ticket for the raffle. The top prize will again be a season pass from Whistler-Blackcomb, followed by room nights donated by the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Dozens of local businesses have donated prizes to the race, while local stores are providing food and refreshments.

Organizer Phil Chew hopes to draw more than 150 people this year.