The Thursday, Feb. 23 Whistler Nordics Loonie Race took place on Upper Panorama, with some exciting descents in the dark. Some skiers accidentally raced a shorter course, while others used headlamps to negotiate a longer 7 km course.
The winner of the full course was Robbie Metza with a time of 22:34, while Maureen Harrimen was the top woman in 25:00. Bobby Bunbury was the top junior male on the short course in 16:25, and Akiko Clarke was the top female junior in 19:13.
Peak Performance and Murdoch & Co. sponsored last week’ race, with pizza from Java and Russels Beer.
Tonight’s race (March 2) gets underway at 6 p.m., with registration starting at 5:30 p.m. outside the Lost Lake ticket booth.
Hockey teams head into playoffs
The Whistler Minor Hockey Association heads into the post-season this weekend in position to win a few new banners for Meadow Park. The Atom C2 squad remains undefeated at 15-0-0, the C1 team has just two losses, and both teams will be competing for Lions Gate League banners this weekend. The Bantam C1 team is in a three-way race for third in the Lions Gate League, and the C1 Midgets are in third in their division. Altogether seven teams have winning records heading into the playoffs.
Week 18 Boxscores
Nesters Market Atom C1 (12-2-3) defeat North Vancouver; 9-6
Bantam C1 (10-10-3) defeat West Van; 4-3
Bantam C1 (11-10-3) defeat Whistler C2; 6-0
Bantam C1 (11-11-3) lose to North Van; 8-1
Bantam C1 (11-11-4) tie North Shore; 3-3
Vision Pacific Bantam C2 (10-11-7) lose to Whistler C1; 6-0
Whistler Blackcomb Midget C1 (16-5-2) tie Whistler C2; 2-2
Whistler Blackcomb Midget C1 (17-5-2) defeat North Van C1; 11-2
Whistler Blackcomb Midget C1 (17-6-2) lose to Squamish; 5-3
Intrawest Midget C2 (13-4-3) tie Whistler; 2-2
King of the Rail wraps up
After a successful season with record numbers of riders, skiers and spectators, the King/Queen of the Rail season will wrap up this Saturday evening, March 4.
The deal is the same as always. Competitors can register after 5 p.m. in the Blackcomb Daylodge, and the event runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the base of the mountain.
The cost is $5 to enter, with cash prizes for the top riders/skiers in each category, as voted by the riders themselves. You also need a valid Night Moves lift pass.
There will also be a prize draw, including Atomic skis or an Atomic snowboard, and other goods from Nintendo and Atomic.
Gymnasts impress at test event
The Whistler Gymnastics LEAP (Lets Evaluate Athletes Progress) team recently traveled to Bowen Island for their first physical ability-testing event.
The tests included a no-foot rope climb, timed chin-ups and leg-lifts, the L-press, the long jump, the high jump, sprints, back bends and splits.
LEAP also has skills testing events that cover basic gymnastics moves.
Charlotte Mahoney met all the criteria to advance to the next level, while her teammates also impressed coaches with their abilities.
The LEAP team includes Cambria Willis, Jessica Girard, Maxine Shuster, Ellie Krasny, Tatiana Fogarty, Jessie Budge, Kalea McCrank-Ranger, Iyla Nordin, Martina Gershon and Louise Saint-Jacques.
Cycling B.C. supports youth cycling
This week Cycling B.C. has launched a new Future Heroes Foundation to encourage and support young cyclists in the province, including road, BMX and mountain bike disciplines. It will be funded by Cycling B.C.’s member clubs, and funds will be distributed to youth and youth programs based on need, ability and other criteria.
The goal is to make B.C. the top province for youth cycling in Canada.
The first act of the Future Heroes Foundation is to fund the Cycling B.C. Youth Awards.
"Our long history of great champions ranges from Torchy Peden at the turn of the last century to the tremendous recent successes of Allison Sydor and Roland Green at the turn of this century," said Cycling B.C. executive director Tom Fawsitt. "Cycling B.C. is very excited about this strong commitment from B.C.’s cycling community. Support from the community is fundamental to building great programs."
Each year the Future Heroes Awards will be presented at the Cycling B.C. Awards Ceremony. Successful candidates will be selected based upon their performance success in the 12 months prior to the granting of the award. The first recipient of a Future Heroes Award was North Vancouver’s Micayla Gatto, a downhill bronze medalist at the 2005 Mountain Bike World Championships.
