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XTC Squamish cancelled

Organizers of the XTC Squamish off-road triathlon and duathlon were forced to cancel their event due to low registration numbers, which they credit to the date change this year to June 26, 2010 compared to September in 2009.

Organizers of the XTC Squamish off-road triathlon and duathlon were forced to cancel their event due to low registration numbers, which they credit to the date change this year to June 26, 2010 compared to September in 2009. The new date is close to the Squamish Triathlon on July 11 and just one week after the annual Test of Metal race.

The venue at Alice Lake also complicated matters. B.C. Parks only allows two events per month through the park, and dates in both July and August were booked out.

 

B.C. Bike Race sold out

The fourth annual running of the seven-day B.C. Bike Race sold out last week, with 500 participants signed on to tackle a diverse range of trail networks from Vancouver Island to the Sunshine Coast to Squamish and Whistler.

For the first time this year there are both hardcore and light trail options, with the former weighing in at roughly 60 km per day and the latter closer to 30 km.

Partly because of the decision to run dual courses and partly because of word-of-mouth, the number of women taking part increased by almost 20 per cent this year.

The list of athletes is posted on the B.C. Bike Race website, but some of the highlights include the pairing of national team riders and Olympians Geoff Kabush and Catharine Pendrel in the mixed co-ed category, three-time Xterra world champion Melanie McQuaid, La Ruta de los Conquistadores winner Manny Prado, husband and wife team of Wendy Wimms and Norm Thibault, Chris Sheppard, Barry Wicks and Kris Sneddson, and the team of Marty Lazarski and Stephan Widmer.

The race runs from June 27 to July 3. For more information visit www.bcbikerace.com.

 

Toonie Ride takes on North Secret

After a dual ascent of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park on June 3, riders should be more than ready for tonight's June 10 race on North Secret (the first part of Comfortably Numb) and Green Lake Loop trails.

Sponsored by Whistler Bike Guides, Riverside Café, Riverside Resort and Campground, Whistler Pocket Chocolate and Whistler Brewing, the course starts at the Wedgemont parking lot and finishes at the Riverside Campground.

Registration is at 5:30 p.m., and the ride gets underway at 6:30 p.m. WORCA memberships are available on-site, as well as online at www.worca.com.

The June 17 Toonie Ride is sponsored by Lost Lake Connection and takes place around the Lost Lake trails.

 

Beaver Pass temporarily closed

The Beaver Pass trail on Whistler's west side is temporarily closed to the public while B.C. Hydro does work in the area, including regular clearing of trees and brushes under the hydro lines. The work will be underway through the summer, although the majority of work will take place over the next month.

 

Buchar seventh at Fort William World Cup

Whistler's Claire Buchar continues to be solid on the World Cup downhill tour, most recently placing seventh at Fort William. Sabrina Jonnier of France took the win ahead of British rider Rachel Atherton, with Floriane Pugin of France placing third.

Micayla Gatto of North Vancouver was 11 th in the race, which takes place on one of the longest and most winding courses on the tour.

The top Canadian man in the race, Nanaimo's Steve Smith, didn't even crack the top 50.

Gee Atherton took the win, followed by Cameron Cole of New Zealand and Greg Minnaar of South Africa.

 

Escape Route to demo stand up paddleboards

Although it's rare that someone finds something new to do in the great outdoors, the growth in popularity of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) has been nothing short of incredible. Originally started by longboard surfers, SUP is now a fixture on open ocean, lakes, rivers and just about everywhere else there is water.

Escape Route has embraced the sport recently, stocking up on boards and gear, and is also working with local tour groups in Squamish (Mountainsurf Adventures) and Whistler (Stand Up Paddle Boards of B.C.) to provide lessons and instruction. As well, Escape Route is planning some free clinics for the public on Alta Lake over the summer, complete with wetsuits, paddles and instruction, and has made demo boards available in their store. For more information, drop by Escape Route at Whistler Marketplace.

 

Sailing Club races underway

The Whistler Sailing Club held its first club race on June 2, its second on June 9, and plans to host additional races every Wednesday through to Sept. 1.

All types of boats are welcome to take part in this informal race series, which gets underway in front of the youth hostel on Alta Lake until that facility closes. The cost is $45 per boat for the entire series, which includes a membership in the club.

Sailors meet at 6 p.m. at the hostel, and races get underway at 6:30 p.m.

More information on the club and the race series is available online at www.whistlersailing.com.

Information about the club's popular Learn to Sail programs is also available online.

 

Remote Control car enthusiasts host race days

Whistler Mini-Z enthusiasts - meaning remote controlled cars that are extremely fast and nimble - are hosting regular races in town.

If you are interested in racing your Mini-Z car or want to know more about the sport, contact derek&sarah@telus.net to find out about the next event. The last one took place this past Sunday.

For more information on Mini-Z racing, visit www.mini-zracer.com, or go to www.youtube.com and type in "Mini-Z" to see what a race looks like.