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Ski jumpers appeal ruling

A group of female ski jumpers is appealing a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that upholds the International Olympic Committee decision not to include their sport in the 2010 Winter Games.

A group of female ski jumpers is appealing a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that upholds the International Olympic Committee decision not to include their sport in the 2010 Winter Games.

Following the ruling the ski jumpers had their lawyers review the case to see if there are grounds for an appeal, and on Thursday, July 16 lawyer Ross Clark submitted the paperwork to the courts.

The ski jumpers allege that they are being discriminated against by the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC), which they claim is an agent of the federal and provincial governments that is bound by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms - and specifically to a section of the Charter that makes it illegal for governments to discriminate against a racial group or gender when funding amenities like sports facilities.

The Supreme Court ruling did agree that VANOC is acting in a government capacity that's bound by the Charter, as well as acknowledge that the exclusion of female ski jumpers was discriminatory. However, Supreme Court Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon said the discrimination was on behalf of the International Olympic Committee and not VANOC, while only the IOC has the power to give an event Olympic sanctioning.

According to Clark, interviewed by CTV, "(VANOC) cannot host events on Canadian soil that implement discrimination," regardless of the fact that the decision was made by the IOC.

There's no word as to when the appeal could be heard, but Deedee Corriandi, president of Women's Ski Jump-USA and spokesperson for the jumpers, said they have requested a quick resolution because of the tight timeframe. However, she also says that VANOC can accommodate the jumpers on short notice, and that her group will not give up until they are included in the Games.

Titus's Knee Knacker record falls

The record for the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run was held by Whistler's Kevin Titus for five years, but on his second attempt at the 48 km course Aaron Heidt managed to break that record by more than two minutes. Titus finished in 4:42:37 in 2003, while Heidt came in at 4:39:52 last weekend.

Heidt, who has moved from Squamish to the Interior, also holds the record in the 25 km Comfortably Numb Trail Run and annual Lumpy's Epic Run in Pemberton. At the end of August Heidt and his partner - 2009 Comfortably Numb winner Adam Campbell - are heading to Colorado for the TransRockies, a 113-mile, six-stage run with over 8,000 metres in elevation gain.

From Whistler, Walter Wallgram placed 27 th overall and third in the men's 50 to 59 age category in 6:25:15.

Catherine O'Neill was close behind in 36 th place, sixth among women and sixth in the Under 39 age category in 6:40:45.

Imre Sorban of Brackendale finished 13 th in men's 50 to 59 in 7:46:40.

Johanna Gunn was 24 th in women's Under 39 in 8:24:04.

Francine Hong of Squamish was 17 th in women's 40 to 49 in 9:09:52.

Womenzworx looking for ladies

Women are one of mountain biking's fastest growing demographics, largely thanks to the efforts of a few female riders to bring more athletes into the fold through camps, clinics, group rides, and women-only events like Womenzworx.

The third annual Womenzworx festival takes place during the Crankworx freeride mountain bike festival Aug. 10-11.

This year Womenzworx consists of two open events for pro and amateur riders that lead up to the Gaia Invitational slopestyle course in the Boneyard.

Training takes place on Monday following a 1 p.m. riders' meeting, with open training on the mountain from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and slopestyle training and invitational selections from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The competitions take place Tuesday. There is a timed Technical Descent competition on In Deep from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a judged Jumps and Tricks contest on Dirt Merchant from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Gaia Invitational takes place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

So far just five riders are invited to Gaia - Lorraine Blancher, Stephanie Nychka, Casey Brown, Claire Buchar and Kathy Pruitt. Up to five more riders will be selected in the qualifier on Monday to take part in the finals.

"Gaia participants will judge themselves," said Andrea Kraft of Sombrio, which is supporting the event. "The hope here is to create a sense of community and camaraderie which seems to be essential in the long term success of women participating in mountain biking.

"Womenzworx is a fusion of slopestyle and downhill disciplines in a fun and supportive setting which we anticipate will encourage more ladies to participate in our sport that we are all so passionate about."

There is a total of $4,000 in prize money up for grabs. Registration is available at www.crankworx.com.

Own The Podium goes beyond

The Own The Podium 2010 program has been heralded for Canada's best ever showing in a world championship year - 29 medals, more than any other country.

However, there have always been questions about what happens to the program after the 2010 Games and the commitments from governments and sponsors run out. Gary Lunn, the federal Minister of State for Sport, answered that question this week by announcing the creation of a 2010 And Beyond Panel to analyze the program and make recommendations for the future.

The panel will look at the future needs of Canada's summer and winter athletes, and look at ways to help athletes continue to be successful post-2010.

"Canada's summer and winter athletes have made significant progress at the last two Olympic and Paralympic Games as a result of having access to the necessary tools required to win, and it is our responsibility to ensure the nation's best athletes will continue to benefit from these increased resources well into the future," said Alex Baumann, executive director of Own The Podium.

Sea to Sky Junior Golf Championship returns

With nine golf courses between Furry Creek and Pemberton it's not impossible to imagine the next Mike Weir or Lorie Kane coming from Sea to Sky.

Although there have been a few previous attempts to run a local junior tour the concept was resurrected in 2008 with the first Sea to Sky Junior Golf Championship, taking place on three local courses over three days.

Back by popular demand, the 2009 Sea to Sky Junior Golf Championship takes place July 27 to 29 with rounds of golf at Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton, Whistler Golf Club and Squamish Valley. Last year the courses were The Meadows at Pemberton, Nicklaus North and Squamish Valley.

The cost is $100 per golfer, with boys categories from ages 10 to 12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 18, and an open girls category.

The entry fee includes the three rounds of golf, refreshments on course, and the awards dinner after the final round. Prizes will be awarded after the last round of golf.

Entry forms are available at local pro shops, or you can obtain a form by e-mailing apolo@shaw.ca.

There is limited entry, and early registration is recommended.

Sailing races continue through end of July

There is at least one more sailing race organized by the Whistler Sailing Club, taking place on July 29. There were 20 boats in the water for the group's July 15 event, and a similar number were expected for July 22.

To take part bring your boat to the second dock north of the boat launch on Carleton Way for a skipper's meeting at 6 p.m.