: READY, ‘SET, go! The youngsters above took part in the Grouse Mountain Ski-Wee ski program, which ' teaches downhill skiing to three- to stx-year-olds. Before they got as far 2s tackling the sispes, however, they had to learn how to manoeuvre in their cumbersome ski boots, an ast unto itself (right). NEWS photo Tom Burley INTENT ON getting the best timed run possible, Whistler Mountain Ski nummer Club member Andy Maj concentrates on technique during the 3.C, =@mmuzunarm Winter Games trials held at Grouse Mountain last weekend. 21 - Wedaesday, January 13, 1988 - action PAGE 34 ur event at A HOST of skiers will brave the slopes of Grouse Mountain for 24 hours straight Jan. 16 to !7 to raise money for the Lions Society for Crippled Children. The Coca-Cola 24-Hour Ski Marathon kicks off Jan. 16 at noon with a Le Mans start, and organizers are expecting the second annual fund-raising event to be even more of a success than last year’s, which saw $20,000 in pledges raised. “It took three or four years to put together,’’ society spokesman Victoria Ree said of the event. ‘“‘There are so many avid skiers it just seemed natural."’ Set to try to go the distance are 19 individual skiers and 22 teams; North Shore News Ss last year there were 24 teams and six individuals skiing for the entire 24-hour event. Teams pay a small registration fee and then collect pledges for their ski performance. ‘‘You can pledge per run or you can do a lump sum pledge.”’ At the end of the marathon last year, organizers estimated that the skiers had covered a distance equal to an- around-the-world trip. “There were no problems last year except a few wet bodies and some colds afterwards,’ explained Rae. “Money raised will go to support the Lions Society and the Disabled Skiers Association of B.C. Spec- tators ‘are welcome during normal operating hours. Local curlers in an THE NORTH Shore Winter Club’s Christa Kueber lost to Royal City Curling Club’s Lil Miller in recent curling playdowns to the provincial championships. In other curling action at the Royal City Curling Club in New Westminster, the North Shore Winter Club’s Nat Slattery defeated compatriot Bernice Mulock, Miller will compete in the pro- vincial championship at the Ar- butus Club Jan. 28 to Feb. 5; Slat- tery wiil compete in the provincials in Nanaimo Feb. 11 to 16. Last year’s B.C., Canadian and iose world champion team, the Pat Sanders rink of Victoria, has a bye to the nationals, so a new champi- on will be crowned. Curling playdowns for the local men’s zone finished recently at the North Shore Winter Club; the 16 men's zone winners will assemble in Nanaimo Jan. 29 to 31, to vie for spots as the four coast finalists to the men’s provincials. A highlight for local curling fans will be the Pepsi Junior Men’s and Junior Women's Canadian Cham- pionships at the Winter Club March 25 to April 2.