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Sports Briefs: Christmas contests for skiers and riders

Skiers and snowboarders have about 40 hours to digest their Christmas feasts this year before their stomachs will be tested in a high flying slopestyle competition - the second Park Rider Sessions, presented by Telus, of the season.

Skiers and snowboarders have about 40 hours to digest their Christmas feasts this year before their stomachs will be tested in a high flying slopestyle competition - the second Park Rider Sessions, presented by Telus, of the season.

The slopestyle takes place on Sunday, Dec. 27 on Blackcomb. Pre-registration is available for $26 at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations, or you can register on the day of the event for $30 in the Rendezvous Lodge.

Helmets are mandatory and minors need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian to compete.

The slopestyle events have been known to sell out some categories in the past so early registration is recommended - although organizers will do their best to squeeze everyone in.

There are prizes for the top skiers and riders in each category, and all participants are eligible to win draw prizes donated by event sponsors.

Next up on Wednesday, Dec. 30 is the first King of the Rail event of the season.

This event takes place under the lights at the base of Blackcomb with an open jam format judged by the athletes themselves. The top riders and skiers in each age group win a cash prize based on the number of participants, and all participants are eligible to win draw prizes from Nintendo, Atomic, Telus, DNA, Showcase, Glacier Shop and other sponsors.

You can register from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the event site. There's an athletes' meeting at 5:45 p.m., and the contest runs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $15 to take part and both helmets and mouthguards are mandatory.

 

Wolf Pack split games, one remaining in December

The Squamish Wolf Pack played their final game of December on Wednesday evening after press time, with just 14 games remaining in their 48 game schedule. A win against the Port Moody Black Panthers would give the Pack a record of four wins and four losses on the month, the first time the club has finished a month without a losing record in its two seasons in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League.

At press time the Wolf Pack were five points back of the Delta Ice Pack and a chance of competing in the playoffs, although Delta had played two fewer games.

This past weekend was encouraging. The Wolf Pack beat the Mission Icebreakers 6-4 with three goals in the second and third periods and 38 shots on net. The Icebreakers made just 22 shots with four goals scored, two of them on the power play.

Malcolm Gould led the way for the Wolf Pack with three goals and an assist, followed by Michael Mackie-Kwist with a goal and two assists.

Saturday's win was followed by a loss to the North Delta Devils on Sunday, where the Wolf Pack were outscored 4-2, including two power play goals.

Luke Kasteel and Jake Charles scored for Squamish.

 

Paralympian McKeever sets sights on Olympics

Paralympic and World Cup champion Brian McKeever is set to make history as the first athlete to represent Canada in the Olympic and Paralympic Games after winning the 50-km Olympic trials at Canmore this week. He also placed second in the 15-km freestyle race over the weekend against some of the top racers in North America.

"That is all I had today and I hope it is enough to convince the selection committee that I deserve a spot on the Olympic team," said McKeever, a visually impaired athlete with roughly 10 per cent vision, after completing the 50K marathon.

"I tried to ski consistent laps because I know this race doesn't start until the midway point, or event the 35-kilometre mark."

Freestyle races are also more challenging for McKeever without tracks to follow, however he used other racers on course to get his bearings and stayed with teammates until breaking away on the final lap.

Canada's national team did not take part, opting to skip the Olympic trials in order to race in World Cup events in Europe.

 

Kocher just off the biathlon podium

Zina Kocher and Jean-Philippe Le Guellec led the Canadian charge into the second week of the biathlon season in Slovenia last weekend, with Kocher placing fourth after four perfect trips to the shooting range - the first time she's gone 20 for 20 in her biathlon career. That put her within reach of the podium in the women's 10-km pursuit competition. It was the second best result of her career.

Le Guellec started 35 th in the staggered start 12.5-km men's pursuit, but passed his way to 13 th spot while going 18 for 20 at the range.

Bobsleigh teams make history

Canada's female bobsleigh teams made history at Altenberg, Germany last weekend with the Canada 1 and Canada 2 sleds placing first and second.

The Canada 1 sled was piloted by Kaillie Humphries with Heather Moyse, while Helen Upperton drove the Canada 2 sled and teammate Jenny Ciochetti to the silver medal.

In the men's two-person bobsleigh, Lydon Rush and teammate Lascelles Brown finished a career-best fifth.

The skeleton athletes also raced, with Jeff Pain leading the team in fourth place. He was leading the pack after his first run, but missed his line on the fourth corner to fall back in the overall standings. Jon Montgomery placed seventh and Mike Douglas 11 th .

All three Canadian women finished in the top 10 with Melissa Hollingsworth sixth, Amy Gough seventh and Michelle Kelly 10 th . It was the first time that Hollingsworth finished off the podium this season.