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Whistlerites just off Test of Metal podium

Sports briefs: changes to Canadian luge association board; pemberton paddlers compete in vancouver

Whistlerites missed out on some special hardware at the Test of Metal on June 20.

Two riders took home some fourth-place finishes at the race's 20th edition.

In the pro/elite women's category, Chloe Cross finished in a time of three hours, seven minutes, 19.9 seconds (3:07:19.9), which was 13:47.9 back of winner Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops.

Meanwhile, Leah Trudeau was fourth in the recreational female division finishing in 3:12:29.2. Squamish's Zoe Dawson was tops, completing the race 5:09.6 ahead of Trudeau and just 3.3 seconds ahead of runner-up Meghan Kindree.

As for the men, Michael Robinson posted the top pro performance, placing 16th with a time of 2:49:18.9, or 15:42.8 off the winning pace of Evan Guthrie from Peachland.

In the recreational event, Austin Reith was the top local finisher, placing 15th with a time of 2:55:43.2. Squamish's Rhys Verner won the event, crossing the line 14:49.3 ahead of Reith.

Full results are at http://testofmetal.com/results.

Canadian Luge Association brings in new board

The Canadian Luge Association has some new blood in its ranks.

On June 15, the governing body announced it had elected Steve Harris as its new president. Harris is a Calgary police officer who has been involved in luge at the international level for over 30 years.

"This is an exciting, yet crucial time, in the history of the Canadian Luge Association," Harris said in a release. "We are in a good place both on and off the field of play, but we need to continue to challenge ourselves further as a team if we truly want to achieve our goals of winning Canada's first ever Olympic medal in the sport."

Harris had previously served as the organization's vice-president of sport. Replacing him in that role is Tyler Seitz, a two-time Olympian who was the first Canadian male to win a World Cup medal. Meanwhile, Ron Stitt was elected treasurer.

Whistler residents Lucinda Jagger and Jim Watts will resume their terms as directors-at-large alongside Ian Cockerline, Johanna Gouw, Justine Jones, Chris Wightman and Dan Doll.

Lastly, former president Ed Moffat was named chair of the new International Relations Committee. Moffat is an executive board member with FIL (International Luge Federation).

Pemby paddlers compete in Vancouver

Nothing lasts forever.

So despite the Pemberton Canoe Association taking a second-place showing in the junior A division with the Laoyam Eagles crew at the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival in Vancouver on the weekend, it was a touch bittersweet. The organization had won the division each of the previous 16 years. In the same division, the Laoyam Falcons made the A division final and placed fifth and the Laoyam Ospreys made the B division final en route to a seventh-place finish.

As for the adults, the mixed division team placed sixth in the recreational A championship final. Additionally, a team of alumni from Laoyam Eagles teams past got together as a surprise to mark the upcoming 60th birthday of coach and Olympian Dr. Hugh Fisher. Without any practices together, the squad, which dubbed itself the Lame Old Eagles, captured the competitive B division final.

Two other teams competed, including the women's team, which placed sixth in the competitive A final while the men's team placed seventh in the open championship final.

Pemberton getting adaptive paddling program

The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program is expanding into Pemberton.

Earlier this month, the organization received $5,000 from Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. for its Pemberton Adaptive Paddling Program.

The program will allow residents of Pemberton and Mount Currie with a cognitive, physical or sensory impairment to participate in group canoe and kayak lessons. The program is being run in partnership with Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP).

"The purpose of the Pemberton Adaptive Paddling Program is to increase participation in and awareness of adaptive sport among Pemberton area residents. We hope it will encourage individuals with a disability or their family members to contact us when they're looking for ways to be more active or social in their lives," WASP executive director Chelsey Walker said in a release.

The programming will be split into groups of children and adults. Each session costs $20 and is two hours in duration.

WASP is also seeking more Pemberton volunteers to help with Tuesday morning programming.

Those looking to sign up or volunteer can contact WASP at admin@whistleradaptive.com or 604-905-4493.

Rolling Thunder on track for summer

The second season of Whistler Sliding Centre's Rolling Thunder is set to open on June 27.

As part of the experience, groups of four ride with an experienced pilot in a bobsleigh with wheels down the centre's track. Rides consist of 10 corners and can reach speeds up to 90 km/h.

Proceeds from the program go to support amateur sliding sports and training for the athletes that take part.

"Our public programs, both in summer and in winter, are an important component for our mission to grow sport. Revenue generated by enabling public to try sliding sports immediately goes towards supporting athlete training and venue operations in the winter," Whistler Sport Legacies president and CEO Roger Soane said in a release.

Rolling Thunder is offered Thursdays through Mondays until Sept. 6. Riders are $89 (plus tax) per person.