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Sports Briefs: BC Parks seek feedback on biking in Garibaldi

This week BC Parks has started to collect feedback on proposed amendments to the Garibaldi Park Management Plan, including a plan that would allow mountain biking back on certain trails within the park boundaries.
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This week BC Parks has started to collect feedback on proposed amendments to the Garibaldi Park Management Plan, including a plan that would allow mountain biking back on certain trails within the park boundaries. The decision to ban bikes from the Singing Pass Trail led to the creation of the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association back in 1989, as mountain bikers lobbied to overturn the decision.

The feedback section includes a link to the original management plan as well as a list of sections that could be amended before an updated plan is finalized in 2013.

The item regarding mountain biking is "To explore whether or not the objectives should be updated to include mountain bike access in the Spearhead area, including development/designation of specific trails."

The amended plan also includes a provision for a hut-to-hut winter touring route through the Spearhead Traverse, a project that has already generated public funding and support.

To provide your feedback on the plan, visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp.html.

Ricker defends banked slalom title

Less than two days after earning a World Cup bronze medal in snowboardcross, Squamish's Maëlle Ricker was back in action at the Mt. Baker Legendary Banked Slalom, defending her title in one of snowboarding's most iconic events for six years running. Her fastest time was 1:31.81, almost five seconds faster than the next racer. Helen Schettini of Whistler was ninth in pro women.

Terje Haakonsen returned to the top of the podium after a few years' absence to win the men's title, followed by Josh Dirksen and Temple Cummins. Canada's Rob Fagan was fourth, Tom Velisek 13th and Logan Short 26th.

Mark Fawcett won the Pro Masters category, while Pemberton's Chris Ankeny was 12th.

Snowboarders top Dew Cup

At the third and final stop of the Winter Dew Tour at Ogden, Utah, Canadian snowboarders finished the series strong and walked away with titles.

Spencer O'Brien and Sebastien Toutant, both members of the national team, won the final slopestyle events as well as the overall Dew Tour Cups.

"It feels great," said Toutant. "The first stop I got second place, the second stop I got second — to end up with a first place to win the Cup is a great feeling."

Some of the athletes that would have been at that event opted to fly to Japan for the Toyota Big Air. Antoine Truchon placed third for Canada while Mark McMorris was fifth.

Gymnasts on podium in first meet

The Whistler Gymnastics Club headed to its first meet of the season last week, hosted by the Flicka Gymnastics Club in Burnaby. With all the top clubs in the Lower Mainland taking part, local gymnasts did well overall and a few landed on the podium.

In Provincial Level 1 Tyro, Jennifer Lafreniere was first all around after silver medals on vault and floor, a bronze on beam and a fourth place finish on bars. Charlie Jarratt was fourth all around with a silver medal on beam and silver on floor, tying Lafreniere.

Emily Sargent was sixth all around, while Ronin Devine, in her first met, was 10th.

In P1 Argo 2002, Katie Faerge was 11th all around out of 18 competitors, and finished with a silver medal on bars.

In P2 Tyro, Gigi Kranjc tied for third all-around out of 17 gymnasts, with bronze medals on vault and bars.

In P2 Argo 2002, Hailey Jackson was ninth out of 18 athletes, and earned silver on bars and bronze on vault.

Only one P3 Level athlete took part, with Keeley Wentzel winning gold on vault and placing fourth all around.

As well as competitive gymnastics, the club's Kids In Progress (KIP) level athletes took part, including Skyler Williams, Ajah Newsome, Ayva Speirings, Mali Ricard, Kaila Lafreniere, Jaden Cote and Elle Johnston.

Meanwhile Whistler Gymnastics is continuing to celebrate National Gymnastics Week. On Thursday (Feb. 16) and Friday there will be a discounted rate for Drop-in Trampoline programs running from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. for LUNA members.