Jesse Melamed, Andreane Lanthier Nadeau, Georgia Astle and many others want to prove their skills on home soil
Welcome everyone to mountain biking’s biggest outdoor show: Crankworx Whistler. The festival has already begun and Sunday’s Canadian Open Downhill will be the fitting start to an action-packed week of competition.
Numerous Sea-to-Sky stars are on board, including Enduro World Series king Jesse Melamed looking to defend his title at Whistler and Andreane Lanthier Nadeau looking for a second chance after heartbreak in 2022. On the downhill side, Georgia Astle knows the challenge that awaits her but is hoping to take home another medal and make her home fans proud.
Also keep an eye on a veritable army of emerging talent, talent who have been making waves in the Canada Cup of late. Anthony Shelly and Sophi Lawrence have won multiple medals in recent weeks, as have Bailey Goldstone and Lucas Cruz. Most recently, Gabriel Neron secured a gold medal himself.
Though he’s not a mountain biker, James Elliott made history by becoming the first Canadian to hike and fly 1,220 kilometers across five western European countries to complete the Red Bull X-Alps adventure epic.
Whistler Gymnastics Coach Catou Tyler also reached a milestone by being named Community Coach of the Year.
In golf, James Lee is now a two-time (and record-breaking) BC Junior Boys champion.
The Whistler Wolves ended their season with a loss to the Vancouver Dragons.
Looking further ahead of the calendar, women can show off their skills at WORCA’s upcoming Witsend Enduro, while ultrarunners who miss the Whistler Alpine Meadows can at least try their luck at the Rubble Creek Classic.
In winter sports news, Lucinda Jagger (formerly of Whistler Sport Legacies) was named Canada Snowboard’s new Vice President of Sports, and three athletes from Whistler Mountain Ski Club qualified for this year’s BC Alpine Training Group.
Don’t forget this week’s sports trivia.
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Do you have a local sports tip? Contact sports reporter David Song at dsong@wplpmedia.com.
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