Before the days of refrigerated concrete tracks, luge was an on-snow event, with courses sculpted out of the frozen ground. There still is a purist streak in the sport and the International Luge Federation (FIL) even runs a separate tour for "natural" luge events.
On Saturday, Mar. 17, BC Luge is hosting a special on-snow luge event at Whistler Olympic Park, letting members of the public pilot special sleds down a hand-made course. All you need to participate is a helmet, goggles and good gloves, and all other equipment will be provided including a luge-style sled for some serious tobogganing. The cost is just $15 per person, running 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more, visit www.bcluge.com.
Freeride Club Tests legs at Crystal
The Whistler Freeride Club sent a team to Crystal Mountain in Washington State this past weekend to compete in a Junior Freeskiing Tour event.
The contest got underway in wind, fog and snow after a 24-hour weather delay, with all seven Whistler athletes qualifying for the finals. However, due to the small weather window the organizers reduced the number of qualifier to 15 and three athletes got bumped.
Cooper Bathgate led the team in the age 12 to 14 finals and placed fifth, while Conrad Murdoch was seventh and Liam Peiffer 10th and Jackson Bathgate — the top qualifier though he crashed in the finals — 15th. The three athlete bumped from the final were Mitchell Long, Cal MacConnachie and Tom Peiffer.
In the 15 to 17 female category, Carlene and Camilla Loughlin both competed, with Carlene making it to the finals and placing fourth.
None of the WFC athletes qualified in the top 15 in the boys 15 to 17 group.
"We had some heartbreak with Conner MacDonald and Dylan Gilespie both losing skis in the middle of great runs in the 15 to 17 Male category, and some glory with Jackson Bathgate winning quali's and Carlene Loughlin coming fourth in her first competition ever," said coach Derek Foose. Other coaches with the team were Gavin Phillipson and Dave Weale.
WB announces new alpine bike trail
Whistler Blackcomb announced plans this week that would bring high alpine riding to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, with a new "Top of the World" trail planned for this summer that will bring riders from the Peak Chair to the Garbanzo Zone. The trail will increase the bike park's vertical by over 332 metres/1,091 feet to bring the total to 1,507 metres/4,946 feet.
The trail will wind through alpine tundra into the sub-alpine before connecting with the park. To preserve the experience, ridership will be limited to 100 per day for an additional $15 on top of a bike park pass. The trail will be recommended for advanced riders.
"Top of the World is a technical downhill singletrack trail and is suitable for advanced all-mountain, freeride and downhill mountain bikers," said Brian Finestone, manager of the bike park.
The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will open on May 18 and the Peak Zone will likely open in mid-July, weather and snowpack permitting.
Gymnasts qualify for provincials
Provincial Level 2 athletes from Whistler took part in the Zone 5 trials in North Vancouver on Monday, vying for spots at the upcoming provincial championships.
In P2 Argo, Hailey Jackson won gold on vault and tied for second on the floor en route to third place all around, earning a spot at provincials.
In P2 Tyro, Hannah Peatfield was third all around with a silver on vault, bronze on bars, fourth place finish on beam and fifth place finish on floor. Gabby Flynn won gold on vault and tied with Peatfield on bars to place fourth all around. Gigi Kranjc was sixth all around with a bronze on floor. Caleigh Lamont also took part and earned a bronze on the vault, but a miscue on the beam cost her any chance of finishing in the top six and qualifying for provincials.
In P2 Novice, Caitlin MacConnachie was fifth all around out of 13 gymnasts. She was fifth on bars, fourth on beam and fifth on floor to make the cut.
The provincial artistic gymnastics championships are April 13 to 15 in North Vancouver.
Atom team on way to finals
The Whistler Winterhawks Atom C1 team won their last round-robin playoff game against Squamish on Saturday to qualify for the championship game in West Vancouver where they'll contend for the Capilano Division banner in the Lions Gate League.
The team is comprised of Hayden Chandler, Stephen Cousar, Tristan Dan, Kai Daniells, Jacob Garcia, Carter Gaudet, Marco Jelenic, Shikari King, Milo Malthaner, Jack Morrow, Matthew Stein and Conor Vandenheuvel. Coaches are Casey VandenHeuvel, Grant Cousar, Sheldon Gauden and Greg Daniells.
Vancouver Circus School coming
Through Cirque de Soleil and other innovations, circus as an art from has never been more popular. And starting Mar. 19, it will be offered in Whistler as the Vancouver Circus School hosts a special spring break camp.
The Vancouver Circus School will be hosting their classes at the Oros Whistler Gymnastics Centre in Cheakamus Crossing, with coaches teaching classes on aerial silks, static trapeze, juggling and other skills.
The Vancouver Circus School was founded eight years ago by the father-and-son team of Aaron and Travis Johnson. Aaron has performed around the world, and helped develop the national Trampoline Coaching Education program. He also served as the head acrobatic coach for the Cirque de Soleil show Mystere, working in Montreal and Las Vegas. He founded the Vancouver Circus School with his son Travis to share acrobatics and circus arts with a wider audience.
The school's involvement in Whistler starts with the spring break camp, but will continue in the future. Information will be posted at www.vancouvercircusschool.ca.
