In the 1970s, five young Canadian men took the world of ski racing by storm, putting Canada on the map in the process. Jim Hunter, Dave Murray, Dave Irwin, Ken Read and Steve Podborski - who eventually earned the moniker of Crazy Canucks - made their way around the ski racing circuit, travelling through Europe in their rusty old Volkswagen and making serious waves on the alpine scene by becoming the first non-Europeans to win a men's World Cup downhill event.
Former Whistler resident Janet Love Morrison put their story on paper several years ago and last year the book capturing the group's triumphant and inspiring journey was finally published : The Crazy Canucks: Canada's Legendary Ski Team .
With the Olympics on our doorstep, the author and one of the Crazy Canucks, Dave Irwin, are coming to sign copies right here in Whistler. Love Morrison and Irwin will be at Armchair Books Saturday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m.
LUNA's battle cry
Solo artists and bands will face off in just a few short months as part of LUNA's fifth annual Sea to Sky Battle of the Bands and organizers are calling on interested artists to put their names forward for the competition.
They've just issued their call for entries and this year they are offering a new bursary opportunity for musicians who otherwise may not be able to participate.
"We usually have great representation from Whistler, Pemberton and Squamish," LUNA coordinator and event co-producer Kiran Pal-Pross said in a recent press release. "This year, we'd like to further encourage musicians in outlying areas like Horseshoe Bay, Lions Bay, Britannia Beach, Mount Currie, Birken and D'Arcy to apply by removing one of the biggest barriers - transportation."
Previous Battle of the Bands have played a role in boosting the musical careers of many local artists like Papa Josh, Animal Nation and The Tell Tales.
The competition is open to solo artists or bands with one member residing between Horseshoe Bay and D'Arcy, and at least one member under the age of 35. Anyone interested in applying must submit an entry form and fee, two original songs, a photo and tech rider by Friday, April 9. More information and forms are available at www.lunawhistler.com/battle.html.
Getting creative for TWSSF 10
Seeing as the Olympic Games have just begun, it may be hard for most to look ahead to the months and events that follow. But organizers of the annual Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival are urging people to do just that.
They're inviting the artistically-inclined and tech-savvy among us to get their creative juices flowing in preparation for their new media digital showcase, Project ThreePointOh (3PO.) The competition will feature three- to five-minute digital shorts that morph elements of film, photo, graphics, animation, visual art and other forms of media into a production that's greater than the sum of its parts, something that will conjure up emotions from the audience.
The competition debuted last year at TWSSF, with Dave Mossop and Callum Peterson of Rocky Mountain Sherpas winning over the judges with Paper Shredders.
This year, 10 selected digital shorts will be screened to the public and a panel of judges on Monday, April 19, with the Best of Show awarded $2,500 cash. Creators are invited to submit their productions by Friday, March 26. For more information and submission guidelines, visit www.wssf.com/2010/threepointoh.
House hunting?
While many visiting countries have set up "houses" in Whistler, not all are open to the public. Some, like U.S., France, Bavaria and Italy House, are just for athletes, media, visiting dignitaries and other VIPs. But here is what the others have in store:
• Austria - Lost Lake; the passive house is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Jamaica - Savage Beagle
• Norway - MY Place; Norway House will be open to the public daily starting Feb. 12 for waffle breakfasts.
• Switzerland - Mountain Club; already open to the public from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
• Whistler/Canada - Whistler Public Library; only open to public on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for pancake breakfasts and again for a community function on Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m.
• Slovenia - Westin; open daily to the public starting at noon, with Happy Hour for press and public at 5 p.m. each day.
• Alpine Canada - FireRock Lounge at the Westin; open daily to the public starting Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.
• Bobsleigh Canada - Tapley's Pub; open to the public from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• PRIDE - Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre; already open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
