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Test of Metal applies for park status

With 1,000 spots in the 2008 Test of Metal selling out on the first day, there’s no question that the 67-km mountain bike race is one of the most popular in B.C., if not all of Canada.

With 1,000 spots in the 2008 Test of Metal selling out on the first day, there’s no question that the 67-km mountain bike race is one of the most popular in B.C., if not all of Canada.

The host town of Squamish also happens to be one of the fastest growing in the province, and there are literally dozens of projects underway or waiting in the wings for approval that could impact the town’s valued trail network.

As well, logging and other resource industries remain busy in the area, and two years ago the Powerhouse Plunge — arguably Squamish’s most famous trail — was threatened by a logging operation. The town rallied to Save The Plunge, and succeeded in minimizing impact to the trail, for now.

Rather than fight the same battles over and over, this week the organizers of the Test of Metal announced a plan to have the entire Test of Metal race course designated as TOM Sports Park.

“We’ve had a small committee working on this idea for several months,” said race director and TOM President Cliff Miller. “It is time to get some public support for our proposal.

“People who mountain bike in Squamish know that our trail system is under constant pressure. This will help to protect for years a piece of the resource that we’ve developed here.”

The course currently runs on a variety of trails, a mix of public and private property, as well as Crown and district lands. Some of that land falls in timber harvesting tenures, or is held by Crown corporations. The TOM team would start by having public lands in the District of Squamish declared parks, then work with private landowners and tenure holders to try and secure an uninterrupted route for the race.

“People seem to understand the importance of this race to the community, and the will is there to find a way to make it work,” said Richard MacKellar, who is developing the concept for the Test of Metal. “While recognizing that this will be a marathon, not a sprint — it will take time — we’re quite confident that we can make this happen.”

The Test of Metal has been following the same basic course since 1996.

To support the concept of a TOM sports park, visit the website at www.testofmetal.com and add a comment. Soon organizers hope to have a form letter that people can sign.

 

Opening rail jam on Sunday

The Telus Park Rider Sessions get underway on Sunday, Dec. 14 with a rail jam in the Whistler Terrain Park. The event is open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages, with different age groups sessioning the rails and boxes in the time allotted to their category. The judges and commentators keep the atmosphere fun and the skill level progressing for the event, and afterwards all participants are eligible to win draw prizes donated by sponsors.

The cost is $25 to enter, and registration is available at Whistler-Blackcomb Guest Relations desks around the village. Day of event registration is $30, and will be available until 9:45 a.m. in the Roundhouse Lodge.

All participants must wear helmets, and mouth guards and other protective gear is encouraged. As well, participants under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian at registration.

The awards are at 4 p.m. at 18 Below, and include a video playback of the day’s competition.

 

Get ready to race, KVRS style

The opening of the Kokanee Valley Race Series is just a week away, with the first giant slalom on Thursday, Dec. 18 on Blackcomb. Pre-registration is available for $25 at Guest Relations, and day of race registration is in the Rendezvous Lodge until 9:45 a.m. As well, racers can pay $160 for a pass to compete in all eight events.

The first run gets underway at 10:30 a.m. and the second run at noon.

This year the pro class racers are eligible to win prize money, while skiers in the age categories will win prizes. As always all participants will be eligible to win draw prizes, including a pair of Atomic skis.

The awards take place at the Mountain Club in the Westin Resort and Spa, one level below the Fire Rock Lounge. Video playback starts at 3:30 p.m. and the awards are at 4 p.m. You must be 19 or older to take part.

 

Another delay for provincial snowboard tryouts

Weather has not cooperated for the B.C. Snowboard Association, which has been forced to delay provincial team selection camps again due to the lack of snow. The new dates are Dec. 13-14 at Big White, and Dec. 20-21 at Cypress Mountain. Both mountains will host team training this season, with athletes focusing on the Olympic disciplines of halfpipe and snowboardcross, as well as big air and general park riding.

Contact development team head coach Mathrew Galina at huck_it_large@yahoo.ca if you have any questions or concerns about the date.

 

Tickets on sale for Telus Winter Classic

Tickets are on sale for the 17 th annual Telus Winter Classic, an annual fundraiser for the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation that includes a variety of events both on and off-mountain. Tickets are available to the individual events, including the Whistler Winetastic wine tasting reception on Friday, Jan. 23 and the Fire and Ice Gala and auction at the Roundhouse on Saturday night.

Teams can also enter, enjoying all the events including a Match Your Time race classic on Saturday. Events include a chance to ski with a pro, an après party, lift line priority on Saturday and a breakfast buffet.

To purchase tickets or book a team, call 604-938-7321, or visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com/wbfoundation.

 

Whistler Olympic Park, Callaghan Country open for XC skiing

New snow in the Callaghan Valley has allowed Whistler Olympic Park to reopen up to 14 km of its cross-country trails to the public and for Callaghan Country to open more trails than what was available last week. Tickets are available at the new Whistler Olympic Park day lodge, or the Callaghan Country lodge.

For more information, visit www.whistlerolympicpark.com and www.callaghancountry.com.