Two members of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club's ski cross team came home with gold medals from the NorAm Cup Finals at Big White on March 11-12.
Marielle Thompson won the first day, with teammates Catriona Blair and Danielle Wilhoeft second and third. On day two Thompson won gold again with Catriona Blair picking up her second silver medal and teammate Bryann Palmer winning the bronze. Morgan Taylor also competed for the team, and placed seventh on both days.
On the men's side, the WMSC's Stan Rey and Rob Lepine were first and third, with Sven Winter fifth, Nick Geddes eighth, Curtis Koepke 11 th , Frazer McGaw 12 th and Tyler Allison 14 th .
On the second day Rey finished on top once again, with Rob Lepine sixth, Sven Winter ninth, Frazer McGaw 11 th , Curtis Koepke 13 th , Tyler Allison 14 th and Nick Geddes 15 th . Rowdy Reeves and Jacob Lepine, both in their first year with the team were 20 th and 22 nd .
The overall NorAm Cup trophy went to Marielle Thompson on the women's side and Stan Rey for the men. Both will be taking part in the Canadian Championships in Calgary next weekend, where they'll face members of the national World Cup and Olympic team.
Pole to Pedal race is the ultimate transition event
The cross-country ski season is alive and well at Whistler Olympic Park, and expected to last a long time with a deep snow base that could stick around for months.
To celebrate the continuing season the Callaghan Winter Sports Club is hosting its first annual Woppet, or Loppet at Whistler Olympic Park (WOP). There is a 30 km course available, plus a 7.5 km cruiser course that is open to classic skiers as well as skate skiers.
Online registration is available at www.zone4.ca for $40 until April 2. Day of race registration is available for $50 until 9 a.m. on race day, April 3. The Woppet runs at 10 a.m. and the Cruiser just five minutes later.
All entries include a barbecue lunch.
Where the event gets interesting is by joining forces with the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association, which is hosting its season-opening Toonie race on April 4, and participants in the Woppet are invited to take part to make it a true Pole to Pedal Race. The riders with the lowest combined times in both events will win Pole to Pedal titles. More information on the Toonie is available at http://sorca.ca.
Ore Crusher registration underway
Registration for the annual Squamish Ore Crusher cross-country opened on March 6, with the event itself taking place on May 15 on the usual selection of Cheekye Fan trails.
This is a classic cross-country race with a Lemans-style sprint to the bikes at the start, followed by up to five laps around a course that is relatively easy but completely relentless with long false flats and rooty singletrack.
The race is open to kids 12 and up with the proceeds going towards Don Ross Secondary's Outdoor Leadership Program.
This year the event is part of the Hell of a Series series, which includes the North Shore Festival, the North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal, the Gearjammer and the new Just Another Bike Race finals in Squamish.
For more information and registration visit www.orecrusher.com.
Park Rider Sessions back with a halfpipe
The Park Rider Sessions presented by Telus will pick up where they left off in January with a halfpipe contest on March 21.
The event is open to all ages, and early registration is available for $26. Day of event registration is available at the Rendezvous Lodge until 9:45 a.m. for $30.
Helmets are required, mouthguards are recommended, and skiers/riders under the age of 19 will require a signed waiver to participate.
The final event of the series is a slopestyle on Whistler on April 18.
Canadian DH Girls host party and premiere
The Canadian DH Girls - a collective of mountain bike downhillers that includes Katrina Strand, Rebecca McQueen, Miranda Miller, Danie Uyesugi, Micayla Gatto and Claire Buchar - is hosting a movie premiere and party on March 25 at the GLC.
The cost is $5 at the door, which includes the premiere of Women of Dirt: Awesomeland, as well as DJ The Librarian. Prize giveaways include a Troy Lee D2 helmet and a season's pass to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
A preview of the movie has been posted at PinkBike.com.
For more on the Canadian DH Girls visit www.canadiandhgirls.com.
