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Big turnout for Ski and Snowboard Cross

The first of three Snow Cross events hosted by Whistler Blackcomb took place on the weekend with over 130 racers aged 13 and under taking part. The male and female aged 10 and 11 categories sold out, with the maximum of 32 kids in each.
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The first of three Snow Cross events hosted by Whistler Blackcomb took place on the weekend with over 130 racers aged 13 and under taking part. The male and female aged 10 and 11 categories sold out, with the maximum of 32 kids in each.

Saturday was the time trial and training day and Sunday was race day.

In Female Ski 12 and 13, Brooklyn Higgs was first, Rhegan Williamson second, Gabrielle Binette third and Cara Parmar fourth.

In Male Ski 12 and 13 it was Stephane Barnett in first, followed by Philippe Joncas, Jacob Lokash and Mathew Terry.

In Female Ski 10 and 11, Maja Woolley won four straight races to place first overall, followed by Jillian Deane, Arabella Ng and Rosie Smith.

In Male Ski 10 and 11, Tait Jordan was first, followed by Blair Nellis, Nathan Romanin and Brendan Flynn.

In Male Ski 8 and 9, Taylor Nellis was first, followed by Matthias Shorter, Eric Milley and John Nicolls.

In Female Ski 8 and 9 the win went to Danika Boucher, followed by Jaden Dawson, Kaila Lafreniere and Sierra Haziza.

In the snowboard categories, Zakk Harman was first in Male Snowboard 11 and Under, followed by Armaan Abraham, Brendon Keuling and Toby Peterson.

There were only three girls in Female Snowboard 11 and Under, so they raced twice and ranked athletes using a system where the rider with the fewest points wins. Jennifer Lafreniere was first, Samantha Deally second and Stephie Peterson third.

In Male Snowboard 12 and 13, Devon and Willem Stroud each won a single race to tie.

The 14-plus Ski and Snowboard Cross takes place on Feb. 16-17, followed by another 13 and under race on Mar. 16-17.

Events Calendar

What: Telus Winter Classic

When: Jan. 25-26

Where: Whistler Mountain

This is the 20th year of the Telus Winter Classic, a fundraiser for the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. The main ski event is a "guess your time" race. Entry includes lift line jumping privileges for the day. For more, visit www.whistlerblackcombfoundation.com.

What: Master's Recreation Race

When: Saturday, Jan. 27

Where: Whistler Mountain

This event is sanctioned by BC Alpine. Registration is at the Raven's Nest. Anyone can take part if you're over the age of 18, but you require a Masters Racing Licence if you're seeking national points. For more, visit www.bcalpine.com.

What: Peak to Valley Race

When: Feb. 1-2

Where: Whistler Mountain

There are still spots available for this classic event, which has teams of four — at least one must be female — skiing a long giant slalom from near the top of the mountain to the timing flats above Creekside. The total vertical drop is 1,443 metres with roughly 180 gates over five kilometres of snow. Teams will be ranked by the combined age, and half the skiers will race Friday and the other half on Sunday. The fastest participants — usually former international ski racers — take between four and five minutes to reach the bottom, depending on conditions, while the average is usually between five and seven minutes. For more, visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com. If you're a solo racer looking to link up with a team, call WB Guest Relations and ask to join the wait list.

What: Luge World Championships

When: Feb. 1-2

Where: Whistler Sliding Centre

The men's doubles and men's individual races are on Friday at 3 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. respectively, while on Saturday the women compete at 3 p.m. and the team relay gets underway at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $10, and children six and under are free.

Tickets are available online at www.whistler.com, or at the info kiosk outside the Whistler Conference Centre. As well, tickets will be sold at the gate to the Whistler Sliding Centre for cash only.

To get to the Whistler Sliding Centre you can upload the Excalibur Gondola in Whistler Village and get out at Base II. Cross the parking lot and follow the signs. The walk is about five minutes. There is no event parking available.

As well as the competitions, there will be an Opening Ceremony for the competition on Wednesday, Jan. 30 in Village Square, starting with an athlete parade at 6:45 p,m. Rachel Thom will be on hand to perform the national anthem and Squamish First Nations Eagle Song Dancers will also welcome the athletes. After the ceremonies, there will be live performance by Vancouver's The Boom Booms.

What: Park Rider Ski and Snowboard Event

When: Feb. 10

Where: Blackcomb Mountain

The fourth event in the Park Rider Ski and Snowboard Event series is another slopestyle on Blackcomb. All ages are welcome to take part. Advance registration is $29 both online and at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations. Day of race registration is available at the Rendezvous Lodge until 9:30 a.m. for $35.