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Kidsport seeking guidance from community

Kidsport Whistler is hosting a general meeting on Dec. 11 to discuss the status of the program and ways that the program can direct resources in the future.

Kidsport Whistler is hosting a general meeting on Dec. 11 to discuss the status of the program and ways that the program can direct resources in the future. Representatives from the community, including sports organizations, parents, and school groups are encouraged to attend.

Some of the topics being discussed include:

• Based on 2007 donations to Kidsport by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, Kidsport will receive an additional $5,000 from Kidsport B.C. and approximately $5,000 from the Sports Funder Lottery for program development in Whistler. Members of the community will be asked for their input on how that money should be spent.

• Kidsport Whistler is looking to offer a second registration night in June, similar to Strut Your Stuff, to support summer and fall sports, or organizations that need early or advance registration.

• Community members will be able to give their opinions on the role that Kidsport Whistler should play in future directives for community sport.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to say thanks and goodbye to Janet McDonald of Whistler Community Services Society, who served as coordinator for Kidsport Whistler since 1996.

Kidsport provides financial assistance to children aged 5-18 involved in sports, with grants that can help to pay registration fees and the equipment costs. Between 35 and 50 kids each year receive grants from Kidsport, including kids and youth in Pemberton and Squamish.

 

Park Rider Sessions back to the grind

The Park Rider Session, presented by Telus, will resume Sunday, Dec. 16 with a rail jam in the Whistler Mountain Habitat Terrain Park.

Participants will be divided into age groups and given a rough start time based on numbers. After that point the groups will take to the park and session various obstacles while judges give advice and keep score.

The jam is open to everyone, skis and snowboarders of all ages, with minors requiring a signed waiver from their parents. Helmets are required, and mouthguards and other padding recommended.

Pre-registration is recommended as some age categories have been known to sell out, and you can save $5 from the registration fee of $25. You can register in advance at any Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations or Ski School desk, or on the day of the event until 9:45 a.m. on the lower level of the Roundhouse Lodge.

The contest will get underway at 10:30 a.m., and the awards take place at 4 p.m. at 18 Below. All competitors will be eligible to win draw prizes.

 

Lennea makes Nor-Am Cup podium

Whistler’s Brad Lennea earned a bronze medal in his first Para-Alpine Nor-Am Cup race of the season, a giant slalom in Breckenridge Colorado. Lennea, who competes as a sit skier, finished behind American sit skiers Tyler Walker and Christoph Devlin-Young.

Lennea wasn’t the only Canadian on the podium.

In the women’s sit ski race, Edmonton’s Kimberly Joines placed first overall by a margin of more than six seconds on the next racers. Laurie Stephens and Ricci Kilgore of the U.S. were second and third, while Canadian Chantal Fowler placed fourth.

In the visually impaired category, skier Kathleen Forestell and guide Julie-Christine Roy-Ruel placed first in the women’s category, followed by fellow Canadians Carly Grigg and guide Morley Shannon.

On the men’s side, Canada’s Chris Williamson and guide Nick Brush placed first overall.

In the standing category, reigning World Cup champion Lauren Woolstencroft took the gold by a wide margin over teammates Karolina Wisniewska and Arly Fogarty, who placed second and third respectively.

 

Moguls team in action this weekend

Olympic and World Cup champion Jennifer Heil is still on the sidelines after injuring her knee in training, but Canada will be well-represented when the moguls team kicks off its World Cup season in Tignes, France this weekend.

The team spent three weeks in Whistler preparing for the race.

“It’s great to get the competitive season started,” said Kristi Richards, a world champion from last season. “We’ve all put in a lot of great training this summer and fall, now we get to put it all to work.”

The season should be a lot busier than last year, when European events were cancelled or moved around because of the lack of snow.

After a few events in Europe the team will return to North America for events at Lake Placid, New York and the Canada Post Freestyle Grand Prix at Ski Mont Gabriel in Quebec.

The women’s mogul team also includes Nathalie Bazin, Jackie Brown, Whistler’s Sylvia Kerfoot, and Stephanie St-Pierre. On the men’s side, the team includes Alex Bilodeau, Maxime Gingras, Vincent Marquis, Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau, and Warren Tanner.