Viednesday, December 9, 1992 ~ North Shore News - 15

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Tyee ski club trains tomorrow’s racers

Grouse Mountain organization one of the largest in province

IN THE competitive sport of ski racing the slightest

miscalculation can result in serious injury and even death.

To watch a Wortd Cup ski race is to watch some « ‘he best con- ditioned and trained athletes in the world pushing themselves to speeds that far exceed the limits placed on the seatbelt-and-airbag protected motorist.

Obviously, these daredevil women and men didn’t just start out going this fast. All of them learned how to ski by putting in thousands of hours on the slopes with local ski clubs and junior racing programs.

The North Shore is home to one of the oldest ski clubs in British Columbia, dating back to 1927 when the Grouse Mountain ski club was formed.

Forty years later the club ‘oined

44 The Tyee Ski Club is proud of its

grassroots appeal. 99

— club alpine chairman Maryann Hartley

forces with the Tyee Ski Runners (established in 1935) to form what is now the second largest ski club in the province. wo.

The Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club currently boasts an active ski program with over 200 racers ranging from age six to 60.

“The Tyee ski chub is proud of its grassroots appeal,”’ said ciub alpine chairman Maryann Hartley. “We are able to introduce children to the sport of ski racing at a very reasonable cost and yet at the same time ensure the best possible training for the elite athletes without major disruptions to their academic or family

lifestyle.’’

By A.P. McCredie Sports Reporter

misgivings about their young son’s involvement in the expensive sport of ski racing, but his ascent through the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club racing program enabled him to capture his dream of skiing for the Canadian downhill World Cup team.

Other Tyee ski club graduates who have made their mark on the international ski scene include Wade Christie, Scott Wooley, Rod Hebron, Andre Jannik, Bob Stylan and Kent Willis.

The current coaching staff is headed by former aational team member Hans Edbjad and is assisted by Ann Taciuk and Susie Schwartz — also former national team members.

Young skiers (six- to 12-year- olds) at the club learn team racing through the ‘Nancy Greene Ski League’’ program, then graduate to the ‘‘Carded Junior Racing’’ program, where skiers aged 12 to 20 learn advanced ski racing tech- niques aad participate in a number of regional and provincial races.

The ‘*Adult Advanced’’ pro- gram teaches and trains athletes for the Masters Series racing league.

The club caters also to recre- ational skiers of ail ages, offering social-oriented ‘‘Teen Ski’’ and “Adult Improvement’’ programs.

This year Grouse Mountain will be the site of three zone race weekends, giving young racers a chance to qualify to represent their clubs at the provincial championships.

This Saturday (Dec. 12) the club will have a registration booth set up at the base of the Grouse Mountain Skyride between 10 am. and 2 p.m. to provide in- formation about the club pro- grams and to register both young and old skiers to competitive or recreational programs.

For more information about the

NEWS phcio Neil Lucants

Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club MEMBERS OF the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club show their enthusiasm outside the club’s moun-

The parents of current national call 980-5575. tain cabin.

team member Roman Torn had

CHI

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