Winterstart returns to Galena Lodge Sunday, Dec. 12
The 38th annual Winterstart cross-country ski races return to Galena Lodge 23 miles north of Ketchum on Sunday, Dec. 12 as part of a big Nordic weekend at Galena Lodge that includes Saturday's Demo Days.
Because of snow levels that enabled Galena Lodge to open its trail system Nov. 19-20, Sunday's Winterstart will be held entirely on the Galena Lodge trail system—mainly Senate Meadows and Jenny's Way.
The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's Junior Nordic ski team is organizing the popular event. Registration is from 9-10:30 a.m. Sunday with racing at 11 a.m. Cost is $5 per person. Course distances are 10 kilometers, 5k and 2k for the kids. Format will be freestyle, with wave starts every 30 seconds, according to SVSEF Nordic ski team head coach and program director Rick Kapala.
"We're looking forward to a fun, low key event to open the season," Kapala said.
Last year's Winterstart went from Galena Lodge to Prairie Creek and attracted 78 skiers led on the 9-kilometer course by Brooke Hovey, 26:22, and Daniel Sundali, 23:44.
B, B+ Hockey results
Results reported from Sunday's senior hockey games at Sun Valley Skating Center:
Blues 2, Flyers 1: Jano Wiedemann scored a pair of Blues goals with assists by Jody Zarkos and Lisa Wood. Mike Hanson tallied the Flyers goal, from Eric Kafka;
Coyotes 5, Hawks 1: Among the Coyotes goal scorers were Lia Johnson, Janet Salvoni, Suzanne Connor and Tristan Ellison Gralenski, with Dean Dalzell picking up the three-assist playmaker. For the Hawks, Gabrielle Valasquez scored assisted by Ned Burns;
Sharks 7, Vipers 1: It was a big night for the Sharks, with goals by Gary Norbom (2), Alex Baron (2), Annie O'Sullivan (2) and John Baker. Assists went to Jeremy Fryberger(4), Baker (3), Baird Gourlay, Baron, Curt Martin, O'Sullivan and Jini Griffith. Chris Roberts scored for the Vipers, with the assist going to Tim Jeneson;
Hutch's Bad Dogs 6, Senators 4: Kenny Pratt and Doug Wilson pumped home two goals apiece for the Bad Dogs, with singles by Mark Elsbree and Les Dilley. Baba Street (2) and Bryan Speth received assists. Scoring for the Nats were Gunnar Whitehead (2), Dan Gralenski and John Ellison;
Rangers 4, Isles 2: Lucy Chubb (2), Pete Prekeges and Rod Watson lit the light for the Rangers, while Todd Avison and Anthony Naghsh were Isles goal scorers.
Coming up Sunday, Dec. 12: 4 p.m. Isles vs. Sharks, 5:15 p.m. Vipers vs. Senators, 6:30 p.m. Bad Dogs vs. Rangers, 7:45 p.m. Flyers vs. Coyotes and 9 p.m. Blues vs. Hawks.
Copper Mountain ready for Halfpipe Grand Prix
The superpipe is pristine and Copper Mountain, Colo. is ready to reclaim hosting duties for the third year running as the 2010-11 Visa U.S. Halfpipe Grand Prix kicks off its winter season at the Summit County resort Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10-11. Colorado spectators can expect a shakeup as the Grand Prix adds skiers to the halfpipe competition this week.
"We couldn't be happier to be back here in Copper. They have put on top-notch events every year and this year will be more of the same," U.S. Snowboarding Halfpipe Head Coach Mike Jankowski said on a Web site.
Copper has a 22-foot-superpipe that will challenge even the most seasoned riders into performing at great heights. Copper is the first resort in North America to have a superpipe open to the public for the sixth year in a row, and the pros are geared up to ride it.
Freestyle action kicks off on Friday with ski halfpipe finals in which big names like World Championship bronze medalist Jen Hudak (Park City, UT) and Simon Dumont (Bethel, ME).
Saturday, the snowboard halfpipe welcomes back a slew of riders ranging from Olympians to newcomers. Bellevue's U.S. Snowboarding Pro Team racer Kaitlyn Farrington is due to compete. Wrapping things up for the Visa U.S. Halfpipe Grand Prix's stop in Copper on Saturday night is the Paul Mitchell Progression Session. It brings the snowboarding's innovations in tricks and style to the public under the lights.
Competition is set to air on TV on three different dates. NBC features same-weekend coverage with both ski and snowboarding Sunday, Dec. 12 at noon MST followed by snowboarding halfpipe on Versus Saturday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. and ski halfpipe on Versus Saturday, Dec. 25 at 2 p.m.
Sign up for BCRD youth basketball
It doesn't start until January, but registration will be held next week for the Blaine County Recreation District's 2011 Youth Basketball League season designed for boys and girls in kindergarten through seventh grade.
The BCRD registration nights are: Wednesday, Dec. 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Community Campus in Hailey; and Thursday, Dec. 16 from 6-7 p.m. at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum.
Boys and girls of all abilities are welcome to join. There are no tryouts, just mandatory skills evaluation sessions. Participation, skill development, teamwork and sportsmanship will be emphasized—and a coaches' clinic will be held in January.
Costs vary from $55 per person to $65 depending if you sign up online or after Jan. 6, which is considered late sign-up. The fee includes jersey, instruction and participation medal.
The Kindergarten Basketball program runs from Feb. 1-March 2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at Hailey Elementary.
Other programs offered are for Grades 1-2 (Jan. 31-March 16, Mondays and Wednesdays only), for Grades 3-4 (Jan. 12-March 18, Mondays and Wednesdays) and for Grades 5-7 (Jan. 12-March 18, Tuesdays and Thursdays).
The coaches' clinic led by Wood River High School head coach John Radford is Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the BCRD gym located in The Community Campus, Hailey.
Coaches and team sponsors are needed. Call Brad Musbach at 578-5458 if you're interested or for any other questions about the program.
