-

"Page 18, March 28, 1979 -

By RAY TALBOT

It’s spring break time - head for the hits. We all
know about those last :minute weather freaks but
as we go to press all our local'ski dreas are in great
shape with fine spring skiing and the long range
_ forecast is for more of the same.

_ Just got back from a:day of |
‘glorious. skiing” at Whistler.
” T’ve rarely seen the slopes so
“perfectly groomed! It was a
‘bit soft at the base of the
Green Chair sldpes, and on
the lower Gondola runs, but
on top it-was super fast. The
upper part of the Men’s.

Downhill course was sheer |

‘bliss, fast and smooth, ‘and
the schussboomers were out
in full force. 7

Ever since the World Cup
excitement. it séems Jike the
Whistler skiers have had
downhill fever! But a word of
catition to you slope runners
—those unwary skiérs in

front of you always have the

right of way, you must allow
thém plenty of room before
you hurtle by, and schussing
in beginner areas is strictly a
‘no-no, and that means all
those super ego pleasing
‘Green chair runs which a few
wild Willies seem to be
forgetting these days.

It’s quite a temptation to
let the old skis fly, for those
upper slopes are just about
tops right now, you can ski
‘off as you wish in just about
every direction. However,
the avalanche hazard is very
high this year so please pay
particular - attention to the
warning signs and don’t go
beyond the ski area boundar-
ies or in any closed areas.

Down at Mount Baker it’s
a similar story. In fact just
about everywhere you care to
go looks like pretty fine
skiing from Vancouver to
Manning Park and on up to

. the Okanagan ahd Kooten-
ays.

4 ¢

Up on Grouse “Mountain:

things are really flying.. All

.the “ world’s top freestyle
skiers are in town for the, §
Labatt’s World. Cup -Free--~ §

style Championships which
are slated for Grouse

Mountain this .week, march
~ 30th- -April

Ist. . -Grouse
‘Mountain skiers are having
quite an eyeful up on the
slopes as the competitiors
work out in their practice
sessions for the great events.

BAD FALL

Unfortunately our local
super ace, Greg Athans, took
a hard fall in a training run at
Bromont, Quebec. This put
hi out of the Mont. St. Anne

events, and he is still having

problems whicha re keeping
him out of the practice
sessions, he plans to. go into

the contest anyway, and
hopes to make a _ good
showing.

Rick Bowie of Alberta took
over Greg’s third place

overall in the Men’s stand-—

ings after the Mont St. Anne
Classic where Rick finished
second overall to John Eaves
of Montreal. Eaves is the top
star, and has the Men’s
combined title wrapped up,
but it's going to be a
spectacular _ contest for
second spot, Frank Beddor of
the U.S.A. is currently in
second place in the Mens
combined to John Eaves, and
Rick Bowie is in such great
form he is slated to move into

*BUYER PROTECTION PLAN!!

1979 SPIRIT

New Liftback

Not exactly as Mustrated

6 Cylinder motor
Power Steering
Bumper Guards

Front Sway Bar

Front Oisk Brakes
Custom Steering Wheel
Drip Rail Moldings
Rocker Panel Molding
inside Hood Release
Color Keyed Carpets
Body Pin Stripes

Automatic Transmission
Rear Window Defogger
Whitewall Tires

Rally Stripes

Front Sway Bar

Rear Bumper Guards
Folding Rear Seat
Bucket Seats

Lighted Ash Tray

Full Wheel Covers
Spare Tire Cover

| - includes pre-service A freight
Full AMC Warranty

“"* $5676

1600 MARINE DRIVE
North Vancouver 980-3431
ee B.C.‘sLargest AMC Jeop Dealer DLO1196A

= WORLD MOGUL CHAMPION, Greg Athans of Vancouver, will be out to repeat

5

‘this weekend at Grouse if his injured shoulder muscles hold together. Athans tore
muscles at a meet the end of February and has been recuperating since.

second spot in the Finals. Ex
Vancouverite, Stephanie
Sloan, now of Toronto, holds
top spot in the Womens

‘Combined with 223 points, -

and she-is rated favorite for
the winning place over Mia
Engi of Switzerland who
currently is in second
position with 196 ‘points.

}
?

dees

It’s going to be a fantastic .

show to watch, especially as
the top stars are Canadians.
And the Grouse Mountain
slopes are superbly sited for
spectators. Friday, March
30th sees the start of the
Mogul competition on the

‘Peak run, with. eliminations

commencing at

av

10:30 a.m.

The ‘finals Start at 1 :30 p-m.
that afternoon.

The Ballet Competition
takes place on the Cut on
Saturday, march 31st, and
the dramatic Aerials Contest

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Sailing Lessons

Come out to Sea with us
in our 26’ Thunderbirds.
6 lessons for $79.

Get yours r certificate from us.

THUNDERBIRD
SAILING SCHOOL

2540 Bellevue
926-2634