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Sports Briefs: Crud 2 Mud returns

To enhance the transition from skiing and snowboarding to mountain biking, Whistler Blackcomb ran the annual Crud to Mud race, which somehow got lost in the shuffle during a poor snow year when there was not enough crud to work with.

To enhance the transition from skiing and snowboarding to mountain biking, Whistler Blackcomb ran the annual Crud to Mud race, which somehow got lost in the shuffle during a poor snow year when there was not enough crud to work with.

This year Whistler Blackcomb is bringing back the competition, which includes a giant slalom course on the mountain down to a transition area where skiers and boarders will pick up their bikes and race the rest of the way to the bottom. The winner is the athlete with the lowest combined time.

The competition is open to solo racers who want to do both parts of the course, as well as teams where partners can split up the snow and mud portions.

The race takes place on Saturday, May 22, a week after the official opening of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. The course will be revealed at the mandatory athlete meeting at 6 p.m. on Friday at the GLC.

The cost to participate in $45 for solo racers and $55 for teams of two, plus an additional $26 to ride the bike park if you don't have a pass. Advance registration is available at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations.

Full face helmets are mandatory for the bike portion of the course, and other padding is recommended.

In the past the competition has been about choosing the right gear. Ski boots make for a faster race up top, but aren't so good for riding the bike park. It takes time to transition from ski boots to shoes, but the few seconds to switch footwear could be easily made up by the extra comfort and control through the park. Snowboarders are generally slower through the giant slalom portion, but are far better on flat pedals than ski boots.

More information will be posted at www.whistlerblackcomb.com/bike.

 

Kishindo kids back in the ring

Two weeks after taking part in the annual Tiger Balm Invitational the Whistler Kishindo martial arts club was back in action last weekend at the B.C. Open in New Westminster.

The field was large and experienced, but Liam Rivera earned a bronze medal in point fighting with one win and one loss. It was only his second tournament.

That was the only Whistler medal of the weekend, but athletes did win some rounds in the continuous fighting category. It was also the first tournament for several competitors, including Kate Viner, Terry Learmouth and Cris Cox, who did well in point fighting.

The club is now in training for the West Coast/Can-Ams at BCIT, which take place at the end of May. Whistler Kishindo instructor Cole Manson will compete in that tournament, his first competition in six years.

 

Whistler Skaters on the podium in Victoria

The Whistler Skating Club took a large squad of skaters to the Vancouver Island Skate International in Victoria last weekend, and brought home a dozen medals.

In her first competition Arabella Ng placed first in the Canskate Singles category while Emelia Leigh - also competing for the first time - placed third.

In Elementary Women, Savanna Ellott and Jordynn Anderson were first in their respective flights, Madline Blaser was second, Caitlin Patterson third and Abbey Dekok fourth. Mio Chigama was ninth in her first competition.

Brothers Kristjan and Nikolas Rohde were second and third in the Elementary Men's competition.

Noam Steele placed first in Pre-Preliminary Men, and Lydia Robertson first in Pre-Preliminary Women.

Emily Cankovic led the way in Preliminary Women 11 and Over in third place, with Rebecca Blaser sixth. Jandzeela Tompkins was 10 th in Preliminary Women.

In Junior Bronze Women, Chantal Deane was first and Cassidy Deane fifth.

Rebekah Robertson placed ninth in Pre-Novice Women.

In addition to the medals, Lydia Robertson was invited to join the B.C. Coast Regional Select Team, which opens up training and development opportunities over the next 12 months as well as a spot in the B.C.-Yukon Territories championship.

 

Adventure race registration now underway

This is the year of the adventure race for Sea to Sky with the Callaghan Winter Sports Club recently combining their Woppet cross country race with the first mountain bike Loonie Race of the season hosted by the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association, the return of the Mind Over Matter Adventure Race to Squamish in May, the B.C. Bike Race passing through in early July and the Xterra Canadian Championships taking place in Whistler in September.

Next up is the Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race, which is taking place in Squamish on May 22. This is the fourth year for the Squamish event, which offers two courses - a 50 km enduro course and a 30 km sport course. Both feature trail running, bushwacking, wayfinding/orienteering and mountain biking, while the Enduro racers will also have a rappelling section.

The Enduro is open to solo racers, teams of two and teams of four, while the Sport event is for teams of two only.

Professional adventure racer, endurance athlete and personal trainer Jen Segger will be setting the course once again, based out of the Quest University campus.

Early registration is available for $147 per person until April 22, then will go up another $15.75. The price goes up another $15.75 the day before the competition.

For more information visit www.mindovermountain.com.

 

Yoga conference arrives in June

Given the number of teachers and studios, Whistler probably boasts one of the highest per capita concentrations of yoga instructors and yoga practitioners in Canada, if not the world - making it an ideal venue for the Whistler Yoga Conference from June 4 to 6.

Organized by Glenn Iles of Whistler Wellness and local instructor Tanya Di Valentino, the conference will bring 20 instructors and workshop leaders to town from across North America, spending three days with up to 300 students. There are several workshops for yoga instructors, although you don't have to be a teacher or even an experienced Yogi to take part.

Every evening there will be celebrations, including Kirtan chanting, spritual singing and yoga dance.

The event is being hosted at the Hilton Whistler Resort and Spa. Packages - not including accommodation or meals - start at $280.

For more information visit http://whistleryogaconference.com.