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Luge athletes robbed of home track advantage After years of anticipation, we were thrilled to arrive in Whistler last week to take our first runs down the new track at The Whistler Sliding Centre, which also marked the beginning of a two-year journey

Luge athletes robbed of home track advantage

After years of anticipation, we were thrilled to arrive in Whistler last week to take our first runs down the new track at The Whistler Sliding Centre, which also marked the beginning of a two-year journey towards developing home track advantage for the Canadian Luge Team at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

But our track to the Olympic podium in Whistler got off to a disheartening bumpy start.

Our team’s headquarters are set up at Alpine Lodge for this three-week March camp. At the end of a grueling week of training both on and off the track, an unwelcomed intruder made his/her way into our lodge this past Sunday night, escaping with two of our computers and camera equipment.

Most of us have had something stolen at one point in our lives. And thinking back to those experiences, we all know thieves take more than the goods. They leave you with a feeling of insecurity and violation that lingers.

In this case, they have also taken away our home track advantage.

As two Olympians on the Canadian Luge Team — one of the only national sport organizations in this country that operates on a miniscule budget without a title sponsor — we depend profoundly on our electronic equipment and other small possessions. The prospect of replacing them presents a demoralizing challenge. In a sport where winning medals is determined by thousandths of a second, sliding-sport athletes use computers and cameras for video analysis to foster development — not to mention to keep in touch with family and friends while representing Canada at international competitions each week throughout the year.

We ask the individuals who walked into Alpine Lodge on Sunday night to remember you took more than just electronic equipment. You have also taken away some of the heart and gold-medal spirit of the Canadian Luge team.

We realize that this incident doesn’t reflect the values of most Whistlerites. We hope that sharing our story with the community may lead someone to return our valued items. If you can help us with this challenge, please contact us via e-mail at cdornan@coda.ca.

Sam Edney,

Ian Cockerline

Canadian Luge Team

Ten years and still no limits how far this can go

Ten years ago I had this crazy idea to bring street kids from the gritty streets of downtown Vancouver to Whistler to snowboard. I was just a skier from Ontario who moved here to rip big mountains, what did I know? I asked a few friends around town if they’d be into supplying gear, lift passes, lessons, food and even a bed and the reaction was unanimously and very enthusiastically — yes! Since that first visit in ’97 we’ve had over 1,500 youth come up to ride Whistler-Blackcomb, and 45 of whom we’ve trained and supported have moved to Whistler to work. Of these, some have been here for nearly a decade. Who would have thought that a squeegee kid from the corner of Main and Terminal with a very uncertain future could end up teaching snowboarding to international jet setters?

This season we are celebrating our 10th anniversary and we could not have done it without you, Whistler. A BIG thanks to the following people and businesses for staying behind us through many challenging times and even more rewarding ones: Whistler-Blackcomb — Rob McSkimming and Bea Searle, Brian Good and HOUSE, Mike Varrin and the entire Food and Beverage Department, Bruce Irving and Adam Schell at Snowboard School.

Also, continuing supporters include the Tantalus Lodge, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, 2010 Legacies Now, Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Directions Youth Services, Community Foundation of Whistler, Whistler Community Services Society, Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors, 21 Steps, Tourism Whistler, Stacy Kohut, and many others who have believed in the power of this program.

Finally, enormous thanks to Graham Turner and Showcase, Sapient Snowboards and everyone who supported our raffle of 26 snowboards during the Showcase Showdown to raise a much-needed $2,700 for our organization.

With your help, Whistler, we are making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged and at-risk youth and helping them experience the Whistler dream that brought all of us here.

Chris Winter

Founder, Zero Ceiling Society of Canada

Where’s the logic?

I have to say that I am having some serious problems with the logic of our spending-happy council.

Would one of you please explain to the great unwashed how 10 per cent of $34 million for the Celebration Plaza makes more sense, (considering that it involves an outdoor skating rink), than the 33 per cent of $63 million sledge hockey arena (based upon the model that obviously included gold plated faucets in the washrooms). We would like to know!

What is wrong with setting up a presentation plaza on the, closed for the winter, driving range? Easy to secure. Already lit. has its own little building to store official doo dads and woo haws. It is also very easily accessed by the walking and bussing public.

I bet we even get change back on the $3 million to help create a real Olympic legacy like a world class sport's medicine, and training facility.

To all the kids in the hall, please try and remember, this is not your legacy. It is ours!

Bill Overing

Whistler

LUNA victorious in Battle

On Saturday, March 8th I attended an elimination round of the “Battle of the Bands” at Spruce Grove field house. I believe it is the third annual battle.

This event is organized by LUNA and the way it has grown is a tribute to the hard work of the LUNA team. The bands were composed of a variety of ages, from 15 to mid-30s, and covered a vast genre of musical styles, from solo artists, heavy metal and rock to hip hop.

I would encourage people who are interested in the arts to attend the final where the winner will be chosen. This event is coming up on Friday, March 14th at the Wildwood Pacific Bistro (Whistler Tennis Club) at 8 p.m.

I would also suggest that if you can’t make it send a donation to LUNA as this is just one initiative these hard working individuals promulgate.

Big thanks to Kiran and her team. For more information check out www.lunawhistler.com

Rick Clare

Whistler

Think twice

Do you enjoy going out to our fine restaurants or enjoy hoisting a few cold pints with friends? The rationale behind asking this question is a very simple one.  A number of businesses have been trying to lock up a number of properties within the Whistler area to rent out to "unknown" entities.

The dollar signs do look good, however start digging...  A good majority of these places that people are wanting to rent out are currently occupied by the service staff who take care of your dining /drinking experiences.

The clientele that end up visiting Whistler during the Olympics are going to be rather "unsatisfied" by the lack of quality service available during this time. Unfortunately, the lower than expected service levels will get out and will result in a long term reduction of visitor traffic and rooms booked.

So when considering the "Olympic Offer" think twice.

William Riley

Whistler

Big hearts stand out

I would like to send a big "Thank You" to the community of Mount Currie for their big hearts and their caring ways. They really pulled through as a community for helping get me and my family home in our time of sorrow at the loss of my father, Ambrose Joseph Wallace.

Being so far from home makes it that much harder for losing someone so close to me and my family.

I know he is looking down on us and smiling. I love you Dad; you'll be greatly missed.

Rhonda Joe

Winnipeg

Where are we?

As frequent skiers at Whistler-Blackcomb over the past 20-odd years we have met and talked with many visitors. One of the increasingly confusing issues that most people raise now is the complicated and multiple names by which this area is known.

Where is Blackcomb? What is the actual site of Whistler? Is Creekside a place?

Although Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains merged a while ago generally the whole skiing resort is known as “Whistler Ski Resort” and Blackcomb and Creekside are ignored. These latter two areas make up the whole and should be identified properly.

Do your readers have suggestions and ideas that should be put forward before the Olympics?

S. and W. Bayrakal

Cobble Hill, B.C.

An unfortunate miss

This is with reference to Mr. Jim Hills's letter in Pique Newsmagazine of March 6, 2008.

I am surprised that any member of my team was not fully familiar with the Telus World Cup races, and hasten to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused Mr. Hills. It is unfortunate as not only was our team fully briefed and involved with the events but we also had two event representatives sitting in our lobby to provide our guests with guidance and assistance.

Regrettably, Mr. Hills’s experience was to the contrary, for which we are truly sorry.

Mari Miyaoka

Front Office Manager

Legends (Creekside)

Rewarding opportunity available!

I have been a coach and the president of the Whistler Minor Baseball Association since 2000. The rewards have been incredible, and I am grateful I had the experience, however, the time has come for me to step down.

Whistler Minor Baseball now needs someone that has the energy and passion to provide leadership and support to the players and coaches. No experience is necessary!

I am proud to say that since the early 1980s this organization has produced some amazing ball players (both girls and boys). Credit is due to the past directors, and parent/coaches that have donated endless hours to continue to build the program, but most importantly to promote the sport for fun. I would like to thank those that have been incredibly supportive during the term that I have been president: Tim Wake, Chris Leighton, Bob Baker, Norm Groulx, Todd Bush, Rod & Pam Thompson, Diane Hemmingson, Bob McPherson, Shawn Wilson, Steve Shuster, and Ken Paynter. Those volunteering behind the scenes deserve equal thanks: Nancy McConnahie, Kim Wilson, Sylvia Wilson and of course Laroy Watt and Sue Sweeney in Squamish.

We are fortunate to have the RMOW as a partner and with Pemberton Little League on the rise, combined with our strong relationship with Squamish Minor Baseball, there continues to be great baseball opportunities for kids in Whistler. This assumes of course that someone take over the leadership role of this organization.

Finally, Whistler baseball enthusiasts, it’s “time to step up to the plate!” Consider this an excellent opportunity to “give back” and keep baseball for kids alive and strong in Whistler. Give me a call (604-932-2007)!

Laura Wetaski

Whistler