By Andrew Mitchell
A field of 85 racers turned out for the Jan. 25 Kokanee Valley Race Series event, a giant slalom on Lower Franz’s. According to organizers the field was boosted by participants in the 23 rd annual Appleton Rum Peak to Valley Race, looking to get in a little extra gate training before this weekend’s races.
One of the competitors was snowboarder Ross Rebagliati, who is racing again with the goal of qualifying for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. He finished more than half a minute ahead of the other snowboarder in his category after two runs.
There are still spots for individuals available in the Peak to Valley, which has been sold out since last summer. If you’d like to join a team of four for this event, which starts at the top of The Saddle and finishes in Creekside, drop by Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations.
The next KVRS event of the season is a slalom on Feb. 15 on Whistler Mountain. Pre-registration is available at Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations for $20, or you can register until 9:45 a.m. on the day of the event for $25 in the trailer at the top of the Garbanzo Express.
Jan. 25 GS Results
Women 60-Plus
1. Grace Oaks — 2:17.80
Women 50 to 59
1. Randall Carpenter — 2:17.71
2. Terry Piensanti — 2:47.39
Women 40 to 49
1. Sanae Tanaka — 2:04.79
2. Kary Firstbrook — 2:05.12
3. Claudia Frowein — 2:19.79
Women 30 to 39
1. Heike Strippler — 2:14.65
2. Karin Kafkova — 2:16:02
3. Hilary Hendriks — 2:22.16
Women 19 to 29
1. Jacqueline Bullen — 2:26.93
2. Mayumi Ueno — 2:33.63
3. Melinda Good — 2:41.96
Men 80-Plus
1. Owen Owens — 2:30.78
2. Gar Robinson — 2:41.10
Men 70 to 79
1. David Trussler — 2:10.96
2. Alfred Zeilberger — 2:17.35
3. Werner Himmelsbach — 2:29.69
Men 60 to 69
1. Butch White — 2:04.85
2. Jules Lajoie — 2:08.04
3. Lou Fenniger — 2:08.83
Men 50 to 59
1. Alain Rey — 2:00.09
2. Ken Chaddock — 2:02.75
3. Paul Psutka — 2:03.21
Men 40 to 49
1. Tom Jackson — 2:02.27
2. Scot Elder — 2:03.46
3. Chris Wetaski — 2:03.92
Men 30 to 39
1. Mike Stewart — 2:01.69
2. Marco Narflin — 2:09.41
Men 19 to 29
1. Jon Moon — 2:02.78
2. Fred Tremblay — 2:04.46
3. Paul Hothersall — 2:05.52
Men Pro
1. James Clarkson — 1:55.78
2. Chris Kent — 1:56.90
3. Ken Pederson — 1:57.14
Men Snowboard
1. Ross Rebagliati — 2:13.27
2. Peter Deschwanden — 2:48.12
