Two local women train tomorrow’s team

GROUSE MOUNTAIN’S Tyce Ski Racing Ciub is one of the top-rated provincial ski clubs, with one of the highest enrolment rates of British Columbia clubs.

By Kevin Gillies Contributing Writer.

This year’s roster of 80 kids with ambitions of making Canada’s National Ski team is a low one by Tyee standards. Two years ago they had 130 club members.

A couple of ‘‘less-than-ade- quate” snow years, plus the de- velopment of Whistler-Blackcomb clubs are factors that have con- tributed to diminishing enrolment.

But the advantage of lower numbers of members is increased quality time from. coaches, and therefore, hopefully, better pro- duct.

The club’s two coaches, Kathy Tus, 30, and Sue Schwartz, 26, run all five divisions that span the ages of six to approximately 19,

. The process of starting skiers toward B.C.’s, and ultimately Canada’s, upper echelons of ski racing begins in the Nancy.Greene -Ski League which takes young, enthusiastic skiers, teaches them - the basics and fosters an interest in team competition. _ Those who graduate from Nancy Greene go into the J4 pro- gram, the beginning of com- petitive racing.

J3. through Jl. is for the older skiers and are Schwartz's charges.

The Tyee’ club has sent many skiers. to both the provincial and Canadian Development ieams. Roman -Torn, currently with the National Alpine Team, started his skiing career with the Tyee Club.

Those under Schwartz’ jurisdic- tion’ fine-tune, racing techniques for the upper levels of racing.

A problem for her is keeping -young skiers around long enough to mature into aduit competitors: “The sport is losing skiers around the age of 15 or 16.°" ©

"Schwartz fears the cost of skiing and the. availability of many ac- tivity options around the Lower

‘Mainland result in talented skiers dropping out,

‘We have to maintain a flexible program and well-rounded ap- proach,’’ she says.

But it’s lus who instills the early desire in kids to go on to provin- cial and national teams.

Born in Laval, fus started her skiing career in Montreal’s Eastern Townships before moving west at age 16,

Shortly before coming to Van- couver Tus ‘‘blew her leg apart,” leaving her budding racing career. in question. ;

“T have the ultimate quest,’’ she explained. ‘‘l was doing well in my age-group, then 1 had the in-

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jury. I just kept on thinking ‘I’ve got to get back out there so 1 can race again.”

By the time lus had recovered from her injuries and took up a full-time training regiment, she was out of the points and too old, she says.:

That, however, hasn’t prevented her from moving into the top 10

in women’s ‘expert’ mountain bike.

racing with the Kona team. Bike racing is a hobby that has accom- modated her competitive spirit.

A graduate of Carson Graham secondary, lus is now pursuing a double major of kinesiology and biology at Capilano College.

Both subjects give her insight into body motion, training and sports medicine — valuable assets for any coach.

Now, she says, she’s putting

back into the system what she got out of it.

‘J Jove working with kids,’’ she says. ‘‘It’s the greatest feeling on the planet. Because of the age- range | work with, I see so much enthusiasm and energy, but also results.””

“For the amount of inspiration that you put in towards the kids, the amount that you get back — either in skiing skill or their at- titude — is so huge.”’

lus attributes much of her coaching success to ‘“‘working with very knowledgeable people,’’ in- cluding Tyee’s previous coaches, and National Team members Hans Edbiad and Wade Christie.

“tm going to make sure that my kids get the best out of their program that they can possibly get,”’ she added.

. Tyee Ski Racing Coach Kathy lus teaches the younger skiers

basic techniques and enthusiasm. She is aisc one of the top 10. expert mountain bike racers in the province.

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