—" Wednesday, May 15, 1991 ~ North Shore News - 13 Countdown: it’s too late to stop now Athletes are into the final week of preparations for Monday’s triathlon POSITIVE, I have to think positive. By Elizabeth Collings News Reporter That's whar triathlete Paul Granger told us at the fast triathlon clinic before the May 20 North Shore Spring Triathlon. And 1 also have to swim my own race and focus on one Jength ata time — this from masters coach Judy Aspinall during my second-to-last swim lesson at the Ron Andrews pool. But all f can think about in the face of all this pre-race advice is: faster, faster, this day must come faster. After more than three months of learning how to swim, cycle and run, after all the triathlon clinics and all the training, I am ready to go. This feeling of anticipation re- minds me of finals time at SFU when dozens of — classmates and F would wait outside the lec- ture theatre to be let in for the exam. A few would anxiously rifle through their exam notes but most of us would just loiter nervously, united in the knowledge that no matter how well or ill-prepared we all were, it was too late to do any- thing about it. it’s the same with this triathlon, Granger told our clinic that this week we should taper down our distances, load carbohydrates and get lots of sleep. In other words, like the exam, i's too late to do any training now, From here on in, it's more a matter of mental preparation than physica}. According to Granger, first-time racers should try to make their race as positive an experience as possible. This means not placing huge expectations on themselves. As well, it means remembering that we are, after all, there for the fun and excitement and = should therefore enjoy the day, regardless of the actual race, t help myself remain positive by thinking of how far I have come since February. When I started the Ron Andrews clinics 1 could not swim even 50 metres of freestyle; now I can swim 800 metres. I've also improved my bike handling skills and endurance. As for runn- ing, I’ve overcome a longstanding Sydor loses ALISON SYDOR of North Van- couver finished in eighth place overall at the Tour de l’Aude after leading the prestigious French cycling race for seven days. In the ninth and final stage, an 84-kilometre circuit, race, Sydor finished in fifth place with a time of 2:18:15, Captain of the Canadian team, Sydor won the green jersey as points leader with a strong margin over Aiga Zadorska of Lithuania. The points competition is based NORTH SHORE SPRING TRIATHLON problem with shin splints to the point where ] can run for an hour without problems. But best of all, Pve met a whele community ef triathletes — com- petitive and recreational — who have encouraged me to do a multi-event sport J never thought | was capable of. So, when | push off from the poo! edge next Monday morning Fl be confident in the knowledge that whatever happens during the race, I’ve already achieved several goals. TRI-NOTES: © Of special interest to spectators will be the competitive men’s and women’s heat which will start at 11:20 a.m. and will include some of the Lower Mainland’s betrer- known triathletes. Spectators should arrive early in order to find a parking spot because Ron Andrews’ parking lot will be used as the transition area. The race Stacts with the kids” heat at 7:30 a.m. and will continue with various heats until the close at 12:30 p.m. * Volunteers are still needed for race day. Race director Trish Holme says she has 60 volunteers but needs another 40. A volun- teers’ meeting will be held 7 p.m. tomorrow (May 16) at recCentre Ron Andrews. People who want to volunteer shouid call Lesley at 984-3278 or Holme at Ron An- drews, 929-7314, before Thurs- day's meeting. © Cheers Restaurant, 125 East Se- cond in North Vancouver, is the site of the carbo-loading party at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. Race entrants and their guests are wel- come and tickets are a steal at $5 each. Contact Holme at Ron An- drews by Friday, May 17 to pur- chase tickets. Race packages can be picked up at the party and a course map will also be available. * Race packages can also be pick- ed up from the Running Room, 1519 Robson St., on May 17, noon-8 p.m.; May 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and May 19, noon-5 p.m. e All bikes must go through a bike check which can be done at Westview Cycle, 1985 Lonsdale Ave., on May 18, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 19, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m, cycling lead on numerous sprints on the flats and hills during the 10-day race. North Vancouver mayors, pro- vincial NDP leader Mike Harcourt and federal NDP leader Audrey McLaughlin were among the many letters of support sent to Sydor in France. Her overall time for the race is 17:48:02. This is che third vear she has raced the Tour de L’Aude; in 1990 she came J2th. Sydor is in her fifth year of racing. fi i (ae NEWS photo Stuart Davis SWIM COACH Judy Aspinall gives News reporter Elizabeth Collings some last minute tips on race strategy for the May 20 North Shore Spring Triathlon held at recCentre Ron Andrews. The short- course triathlon includes a 750-metre swim, an 18-kilometre cycle and a five-kilometre swim. Top senior women’s team to play home games on N. Shore THIS YEAR will see one of Canada’s top senior women's teams, the Angells play on the North Shore. Home games will be played Tuesday nights at Mahon Park. The Angells won the — silver medal at last year’s Canadian championships. They have been in the medals the last three years and are considered one of the top women’s teams in North America. The team is coached by Terrie Cruly and Al Gove and sponsored by local businessman Allan Mark Angell. The Angells play in a league that also features Alpha Sport and the White Roce Renagades. At last year's Alpha Invita- tional, The Anegells defeated the New Zealand national ream and the Canadian national team despite having four players on the Canadian team. This year’s feature all-star Pranteau and Berkoff-Duke. “We have nine returning players and hope to add a couple of quality players who have mov- ed to B.C.,”’ says Cruly. The biggest hole for the Angells to fill is third base. Power hitter Shawn Tetlock retired and the team hopes newcomer Lise Jubin- ville can take her place at third, as well as inthe RBI department. The return of competitive women’s softball to Mahon Park is the last step in the growth of girls’ softball in North Vancouver. fom Tayler, who is the minor co-ordinator for Softball B.C., points out that there are now more than 900 girls ages six to 18 playing softball on the North Shore. team will pitcher catcher again Jackie Leslie Flicka gymnsasts competing in Canadian championships EIGHT GYMNASTS from the Flicka Gymnastic Club in North Vancouver travel to Saskatoon this week to com- pete in the Canadian Gym- nastic Championships. Five of the six-member B.C. National Open team are from Flicka. The team is fed by Aparna Ray, 17, who just missed the senior category in December last year after plac- ing 28th at Elite Canada. Only 24 are allowed to compete in the senior program. Marlies Ernsi, 14, has moved up from being a junior but finished ahead of Jenny Campbell, $4. at the provincial championships. Campbell came sixth at the 90 Canadian event in national novice. {t is always a tight competi- tion amongst the women but there is hope there for medals. The other two members of the team are Briony Lecky, 14, and Lisa Nakano, 13. Angela Orange, Richmond, who trains with Flicka, was one of two western gymnasts who finished in the junior program after Elite Canada in December. Orar-° is rated 10th in the progray and has every chance of mov- ing up the ladder at nationals. In the young national novice division Karen Gili, TI. and Shanna Bonikowski, 11, will compete at nationals for the first time. ‘Having a team like the Angells as role models and an example of how good women’s softball can be, is something that was miss- ing,’ says Taylor. *‘Now young ball players can watch one of the best teams in the world and maybe dream of one day playing world-class softball."’ Playing on the North Shore is not without risk to the Angells. “We left Memorial Park where everything was done for us,”* says Angell. *‘Here we have to develop a whole new booster club, find people to line the field, look after scorekeeping, set up some kind of public address system. It’s a big undertaking and | ask anyone who would fike to help to phone me at 926-7831."" The Angells season opener is Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at Mahon Park. Bennett wins golf tourney NORTH VANCOUVER § golfer Scott Bennett fed Simon Fraser University to the team title at the NAIA District One Champion- ships held May 9-10 at the Capital City Golf Club in Olympia, Wa. Bennett also won his second consecutive district tide with scores of 70-73-76 for a 219 total — nine strokes ahead of Ross Erickson of Western Washington University. SFU won the team title with cumulative scores of 304-320-302 for a 926 total, edging out Western Washington's 931 total. Bennett was the first) person selected to the All-District. team and wus joined on the team by SFU's Brad Waddell (231 total). SFU now advances to the na- tional championship May 21-24 at Twin Hills Gotf Club in Oklahoma.