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Sports briefs

Betty vs. Veronica sequel announced

The incredible popularity of the Betty vs. Veronica bike race this summer left WORCA race director Tony Horn with dozens of people asking him, "are you doing it again next year?"

This week Horn answered that question by announcing Charlie's Angels, a two-day women's only event taking place July 27-28, 2012. The format will be similar with a downhill race on the Friday evening, followed by a cross-country race and party on Saturday. Instead of two teams - Betty or Veronica - racers will be placed on one of three teams; Jill, Kelly or Sabrina.

The course will be announced over the winter months through a series of clues, and the first Angel to guess the course will receive a free entry from "Charlie," a.k.a. Tony Horn.

 

WORCA trail maps now available

The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association has made an updated trail map for the Whistler area available at bike stores throughout the village. The maps are waterproof and pocket-sized, and retail for $10 - with $3 from every sale going to WORCA's trail maintenance projects.

 

Saints win first, Broncos close

The Whistler Saints flag football team added a tick to their win column on Sunday with a win over the North Vancouver Raiders. The final score was 12-6, with Alex Binette and Luke Haasen scoring touchdowns.

The SaInts play in a league for kids aged 6 to 9.

Meanwhile the Pee Wee-level Sea to Sky Broncos lost their second game by a close 12-8. Jack Forsyth scored the touchdown and Ian Davidson chipped in a two-point conversion.

The Broncos play in a full contact league with full equipment and NFL rules in effect, with kids aged 10 to 11.

Both teams practice Tuesday and Thursday at Spring Creek, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the North Shore Football League running through November. To play, call the Saints' coach Ralph Forsyth at 604-935-0301. For the Broncos (ages 10-11) contact Derek Schumann at 604-962-0300.

 

Slopestyle team names coach

The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association has had a busy off-season with the confirmation of two new freestyle disciplines for the 2014 Games in Sochi. The inclusion of ski halfpipe was expected and the team is largely the same as the informal group that has been competing and winning at top tier events around the world.

The slopestyle announcement was a little more surprising, but back in August the first official team and coach were named for the upcoming season. And last week the program just announced that J.F. Cusson - a former freestyle moguls skier and coach - would be taking up the reins as assistant coach under Toben Sutherland.

Cusson is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the freeski movement. Along with Whistler's Mike Douglas, he was a member of Salomon's Teneighty Team. He won the first Winter X Games big air competition in 1999.

Athletes on the team include Kaya Turski, Kim Lamarre, J.F. Houle, T.J. Schiller and Alexis Godbout. The "B" Team is comprised of Maude Raymond, Jessica Warll, Ian Cosco, Phil Casabon and Charles Gagnier. Cosco is the only member of the team who currently lives and trains in Whistler full time, although most team members are here at least part of the year to train or coach ski camps on the glacier.

 

Audi sponsoring Alpine team

The Canadian Alpine Ski Team and Alpine Canada have been without a major automotive sponsor after their longstanding partnership with Pontiac GMC expired this year, but Audi Canada announced on Monday that they would step up to the plate with a long-term sponsorship of their own.

The company, based in Ajax, Ontario, will support alpine, para-alpine and ski cross programs through 2014 - the year of the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The new partnership was effective immediately.

"We are delighted to partner with Audi Canada," said Alpine Canada president Max Gartner. "Audi has a long association with the sport of ski racing as title sponsor of the FIS World Cup and we look forward to continuing our winning tradition in partnership with a brand we have long admired."

By sponsoring Alpine Canada, Audi will have booked real estate on some of alpine and ski cross's biggest stars, including world champions Erik Guay (downhill), Chris Del Bosco and Kelsey Serwa (both ski cross), as well as Olympic ski cross champion Ashleigh McIvor. The alpine time will also get stronger this year with the return of several athletes from injury, including 2009 world champion John Kucera.

Alpine Canada currently has two "gold" partners including Audi, with the other being the Osisko Mining Corporation based in Quebec. "Summit" level partners include Canadian Pacific, Hermes, Spyder and Telus; "Official" partners are Mike Wiegel Helicopter Skiing, Kenwood, Cold-FX, Air Canada and Sport Chek; funding partners are Own The Podium, the Government of Canada, Alpine Canada's Podium Club and the Alberta Lottery Fund.

 

Pemberton hosting Karate tournament

The Pemberton Karate Club is hosting its second annual Qepen Karate Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Ullus Community Complex in Mount Currie. This tournament will double as a First Nations Karate Tournament, with special trophies for First Nations participants.

The tournament is for all ages and levels, include children and white belts. The tournament runs from 10 a.m. onward.

 

Friday Night Wrestling returns to Squamish

Bodies will be flying at Totem Hall on Friday, Sept. 30 as All Star Wrestling returns to Squamish, with five matches in the lineup.

There's a Girls Gone Wrestling match between Raven Lake and Sammi Bambi Hall.

For warm-up, Lumberjack Bubba will face Travis Sprax, and Bruiser Joe will face The Toga Boy.

There are two main event matches. In one, the Greatness on Demand Tag Team Champions will take on Mr. India and Squamish's own Cody Smith. Mr. India and Smith are former tag champions and will be looking to regain the title.

The ASW Cruiserweight Title is also on the line, with reigning champion "The Great Kasaki" taking on Matt XStatic for the belt over two of three falls.

The price is $15 for a front row seat or $12 for general admission. You can get your tickets in advance at the Grizzly Bar & Grill, Howe Sound Equipment and Totem Hall, or at the door on event night. Doors open at 7 p.m.

All proceeds will go towards the Squamish Nation recreation department.

 

Jeff Christie retiring from luge to get into brewing

The Canadian men's luge team will be a veteran short this season with the announcement that Jeff Christie will be leaving this year to pursue his own personal dreams - taking a Bachelor of Commerce at Royal Roads in Victoria, then returning to Calgary to open his own microbrewery.

"I have achieved my goals in luge, and I feel now is the right time to prepare myself for the next step of my life in the business world," he said.

Christie, 28, has been active in luge since he was 12 and represented Canada in both the 2006 and 2010 Winter Games. He also raced in eight world championships, with a career-best showing of 11th.

Christie will continue to be involved in the sport. He sits on the Canadian Olympic Committee's Athlete Commission, and has taken on two positions - a director of the Maple Leaf Luge Club and an area representative of the B.C. Luge Association.

It was through luge, and travelling around Europe, that Christie acquired his passion for beer. In particular he spent a lot of time in Germany, the most dominant nation in luge with three tracks, as well as one of the first nations in beer.

"People keep telling me the best beer is in Germany, and my philosophy is then why can't we have the best in Canada?" he said. "I know it is going to take an incredible amount of work, but I am now dedicating myself fulltime towards bringing the experiences I have gained in Europe to one day opening a brewery in Canada. My commitment will be there to make this happen, but first things first - if I want this dream to become a reality, I have to complete my education."