Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Dixon injured again

Sports Briefs: Whistler skier fractures right leg for second time in two years
sports_upcoming2
Back on the shelf Whistler's Robbie Dixon has suffered yet another injury setback, fracturing his right leg during training in Switzerland last week. Photo by pentaphoto / courtesy of alpine canada

Robbie Dixon has suffered yet another injury setback, as Alpine Canada announced that the Whistler ski racer fractured his tibia during a training session in Switzerland.

The 29-year-old was apparently injured on his first run of the day in Zermatt on Aug. 6, feeling pain in his right leg after a quick vibration of his ski over rough terrain. He was airlifted to hospital.

The injury is located just below the spot where he endured a tib-fib fracture in November 2012. That ailment forced the veteran national team speed skier to miss the entire 2012-13 season. He returned to the World Cup circuit for part of last winter, but cut his campaign short to have a steel rod removed from his leg.

Prior to his 2012 injury, Dixon had gone through a series of concussions that also limited his ability to race.

Alpine Canada announced that Dixon returned to Canada on Sunday, Aug. 10, and is scheduled for surgery. No timetable for his return was provided.

"Perseverance has always been a strong trait of Robbie's," said Alpine Canada VP of sport Paul Kristofic in a release. "I have full confidence with his commitment he will make a strong recovery."

ILES 16th in NEW YORK

Before arriving back at home in Whistler for Crankworx competition, Jack Iles posted a 16th-place finish in the junior men's World Cup downhill race held Saturday, Aug. 9, at Windham, N.Y.

Less than one week removed from the first World Cup podium finish of his career, Iles posted a finish time of two minutes, 40.264 seconds, which put him eight seconds off the winning mark recorded by the U.K.'s Taylor Vernon, and less than one second outside the top 10.

Iles will return to the World Cup tour when it resumes at Méribel, France, before the end of August. He will also race at the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Championships, taking place in September at Hafjell, Norway.

DOAK HONOURED BY SPIRIT RUN

Whistler's Lauren Doak has been selected as one of two recipients of the Frank Reynolds Bursary, presented by the Whistler Spirit Run.

Doak, as well as Vancouver's Lauren Fraser, will each receive $500 for the award, which recognizes athletes showing a promising future in track and field or other running events, plus qualities of good character, leadership and volunteerism, among other criteria.

Doak plans to study kinesiology starting in the 2014-15 school year.

FOOTBALL SEASON BEGINS

Local youth football coaches Ralph Forsyth and Derek Schumann are running a free mini-training camp for players aged six to 13 on Friday, Aug. 15.

The camp, running 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spring Creek Community School, will teach participants basics and fundamentals of the game and include scrimmages.

Players only need to bring shoes for the field, a water bottle and a lunch or snacks. Contact Forsyth at ralph@ralphforsyth.com to RSVP or learn more.

Regular practices for the Sea to Sky's North Shore Football League teams begin Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 5 p.m.

SPORTY WEEKEND IN SQUAMISH

While Crankworx Whistler winds down this weekend, there will be some other events to keep an eye on down the highway in Squamish.

Just Another Bike Race wraps up the Test of Metal mountain bike race series for 2014 on Saturday, Aug. 16. The race will also act as the 2014 Canadian Mountain Bike Marathon Championships, starting and finishing at Hunter Park on the Stawamus Dyke.

The Squamish 50 Trail Running Festival has its race days on Saturday and Sunday, offering 50-mile, 50-kilometre, 23-km and kids' race distances. The truly brave can also sign up for the 50/50 and run the 50-mile event on Saturday, followed by the 50-km run on Sunday.

Visit www.squamish50.com for more info.