BLACK JACK CROSS COUNTRY SKI CLUB

NEWSLETTER #5

FEBRUARY 2006

 

 

It’s hard to believe that the month of January is almost over.  What a difference a month makes!! The skiing is great out there, don’t you think?!!  In this edition, look for the results from the recent Kootenay Cup held at Black Jack.  We also have results from our Junior Racers in the Club.   Remember to check out our website at www.skiblackjack.ca and for up to date information about the trails at Black Jack, phone 364-5445.  You can hear a grooming and snow report daily at 7: 15 AM on KBS radio, and if you have information to put into this newsletter, please email Susan at svanasselt@telus.net

 

 

MESSAGE FROM OUR ACTING PRESIDENT, KATHY MOORE

 

Hello skiers- As your acting president I encourage you to express your opinions, both positive and negative, about how the Club is operating. The Executive board tries to be as responsive as possible but we need to hear from you. I hope you take advantage of the survey at the trailhead to communicate with us.

 

Any organization is only as strong as the people involved in it. I encourage all Club members to become active in some way. We are looking to develop a 5 year plan to formally strategize where we want to go and what we need as a club. Do you want to see us host more big races? Develop more lighted trails? Develop more trails up near the biathlon range to extend our season at both ends of winter? Is a new groomer top of your priority list? Give us your input and help formulate the 5 year plan!

 

Your opinions are valuable and so is your participation. Please seriously consider getting involved in the various club committees; trails & maintenance, buildings, grant writing & fund raising, skier development, communications, grooming & equipment etc. There is plenty of opportunity to make a contribution and help make Black Jack Ski Club even better than it is right now.

 

See you on the trails!

 

CHILDREN’S SKI FESTIVAL WAS A GREAT SUCCESS-FROM THE ORGANIZERS OF THE CHILDREN’S SKI FESTIVAL 

 

The Children’s Ski Festival that was held in January at Black Jack was a great success.  We really had no idea how many kids we would get, but were very happy to have just under 80.  Many of these participants were new to cross country skiing, having been invited to join in by members of our Rabbit program or our Junior Racers.

We decided to pattern our event on a Mini-Olympics competition, and as the kids registered they were placed on different teams representing different countries.  In the end, nine countries attended our "Olympics" and the teams rotated through a series of competitions earning points for their country.  Each team had a flag of their country and a tiny flag on their bib.  This made it easy to keep the children organized and they quickly became "attached" to their country.

 

We started the activities with an opening ceremony that included an athlete parade.  That was followed by biathlon (bean bag), slalom and chariot competitions which all the teams rotated through.  Next were the sprint races and relays which were the highlight of our Mini-Olympics. 

 

Great fun was had by all.  The kids were totally caught up in the competition without any of the stress which can accompany more "serious" races.  The day concluded with the awards, closing ceremonies and a hotdog BBQ. 

 

Thanks to all who participated, volunteered and to Cross Country Canada for their support.   A great day was had by all. 

 

 

NUTRITION AND FITNESS SEMINAR

 

The BC Randonneur Bicycle Club will be putting on a nutrition and fitness seminar for endurance athletes on February 17 at 7:30 PM at the Trail Flying Club’s club house at the Trail Airport.  Any Ski Club members who are interested are welcome to attend.  The cost is $15 for the evening.  The presenters are Dr. Susan Barr, Professor of Nutrition, UBC and Dr. Ted Milner, Professor of Kinesiology, SFU.  Both these people are involved in Randonneur cycling, an endurance sport, so have the practical as well as the theoretical side of endurance sport.  For more information, phone Gord Cook at 367-2117.

 

BC WINTER GAMES

 

Congratulations go out to all of the Black Jack Junior Racers who competed in the Kootenay Regional Trials for the BC Winter Games.  Black Jack had four skiers in grades 8 and 9 trying to qualify and everyone made the Kootenay Team!  The skiers were Marshall Soltice, Alex Cook, Charlene Houlden, and Rebecca Reid.  The trials were held in Kimberly on Monday the 2^nd.  The BC Winter Games will be held in Rossland in February 24th-26th.  Come out and cheer on these athletes at Black Jack.  It promises to be a great time!

 

RACER NEWS 

 

January 2006 Results

 

BC Winter Games Trials, Kimberley, BC

Qualified: Alex Cook; Charlene Houlden; Marshall Soltice; and Rebecca Reid

Also competing in the tune-up race: Jonas Houlden; Patrick Soltice; and Fred Bushell.

 

Canadian World Junior Trials, Valcartier QB

Participated: Clare Peacock

 

US World Junior Trials, Soldier Hollow, UT

Participated: Darrin Markvardsen

 

BC Cup #1, 100 Mile, BC

Medals: Susanne Fraser 2^nd; Sierra Gibson 1^st & 2^nd.

Also competing: Andrew Cullen

 

BC Cup #2, Kelowna (Westbank), BC

Medals: MacKenzie Gibson 2^nd; Sierra Gibson 3^rd; Susanne Fraser 1^st & 2^nd; Darrin Markvardsen 1^st & 2^nd; Clare Peacock 2^nd & 2^nd.  Eric Sachs 2^nd & 3^rd. 

Also competing: Christine Cook; Brianna Cullen; Alex Cook; Monica Markvardsen; Andrew Cullen; and Fred Bushell.  Some categories had as many as 34 participants!

 

Kootenay Cup #1, Rossland:  The first race of the Kootenay Cup series was held a Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club in Rossland on Feb. 14.  This was the first time a sprint race had been held at Black Jack for a major event.  58 racers and at least as many volunteers and spectators enjoyed a very exciting series of races.  Clare Peacock of Black Jack and the BC Ski Team was the top local finisher placing as the top woman and third amongst all skiers, men and women.  The overall winner was Bobby Burton from Kamloops Overlander ski club.  Black Jack skiers also did very well in junior categories with Patrick Soltice, Ethan Barnes, Alex Cook and Rebecca Reid all placing in the medals for their categories.  

Competing were: Patrick Soltice; Jonas Houlden; Xander Sterpin; MacKenzie Gibson; Ethan Barnes; Kaela Zimmer; Julian Zimmer; Liam Barnes; Maddie Taylor-Gregg; Megan Heximer; Alex Cook; Marshall Soltice; Rebecca Reid; Charlene Houlden; Paige Ewings; Susanne Fraser; Sierra Gibson; Brianna Cullen; Christine Cook; and Clare Peacock. 

 

Kootenay Cup #2, Castlegar, BC

Medals: Clare Peacock 2^nd; Andrew Cullen 1^st; Alex Cook 1^st; Charlene Houlden 3^rd; Rebecca Reid 1^st; Susanne Fraser 1^st; Sierra Gibson 2^nd; Maddie Taylor-Gregg 3^rd; Xander Sterpin 2^nd; Liam Barnes 2^nd; MacKenzie Gibson 1^st; Megan Heximer 1^st; and Andy Morel 3^rd.

Also Competing were:  Christine Cook; Sydney Gomez; Brianna Cullen; Jonas Houlden; Patrick Soltice; and Ethan Barnes.

 

Bavarian Cup, Leavenworth, WA

Medals: Monica Markvardsen 3^rd & 2^nd.

 

Race of the Methow, Winthrop, WA

Medals: Monica Markvardsen 2^nd; Darrin Markvardsen 1^st & 1^st; Eric Sachs 2^nd

 

Dawn Mountain Huckleberry Loppet, Golden, BC

Medals: Bob Sawyer 1^st

 

Upcoming Races for our skiers:

 

Feb 4^th  - Black Jack Loppet, Rossland, BC

Feb 11^th & 12^th – Kootenay Cup #3 & #4, Kimberley, BC

Feb 11^th & 12^th – Sunnyside Open, Bend, OR

Feb 18^th & 19^th – BC Championships, Price George, BC

Feb 18th & 19th - Kongsberger Stampede, Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Feb 23^rd to 26^th – BC Winter Games, Rossland, BC

Feb 24^th & 26 – Midget Championships, Penticton, BC

Mar 4^th & 5^th - Kootenay Cup #5 & #6, Nelson, BC

Mar 5^th to 12^th - Canadian National Championships, Thunder Bay, ONT

Mar 7^th to 12^th - US Junior Olympics, Houghton, MI

Mar 11^th - Sovereign Lake Loppet, Vernon, BC

Mar 18th to 21st - Western Canadian Championships, Whitehorse, YT

 

 

25th Annual

Black Jack Loppet

February 4, 2006

 

Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club Race Notice

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

NAME OF EVENT:         Black Jack Loppet

 

DATES:                        SATURDAY, February 4, 2006 - Mass Start- Free Technique

 

START:                        10:30am (bib pick up 9:30am)

 

RACE LOCATION:         Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club- Hwy 3b. 3km outside of Rossland, BC  

 

HOST CLUB:                Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club

 

RULES:                        CCC RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

INFORMATION:            CHIEF OF RACE:                      Fred Bushell                  250-362-7134    

                                    COMPETITION SECRETARY:     Kathy Moore                  250-362-3319    

 

RACE ENTRY FORMS   Each competitor must fill out and sign a Race Entry Form and an

WAIVER FORMS:         Event Participant Waiver Form in advance. Register online, by mail, fax phone.  Payment may be made on Saturday morning.

                                   

RACE ENTRIES on        THERE WILL NOT BE REGISTRATION ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT.

Day of event               

 

RACE ENTRIES             ENTRIES MUST INCLUDE NAME OF COMPETITOR, BIRTHDATE, CATEGORY AND NAME OF CLUB.

 

ENTIRES:                     Please have all information ready when you enter by phone and check your fax or email entry before sending it.

 

                                    DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: Friday, February 3, 2006 – 7:00 PM

 

                                    ONLINE:           Go to www.zone4.ca and click on Black Jack Loppet for registration. You can complete the entire process here with our new Zone4 program. Additional fees have been waived.

 

                                    BY FAX:            Black Jack Loppet - Fax # 250–362-3335

Please phone and confirm that your fax has been received. (Ph.250–362-3319)

                                   

                                    BY E-MAIL:       km@2cats.net (Email in form attached to this notice)

 

            BY PHONE:      250-362-3319  Phone entries welcome up to Friday night deadline.

                                   

                                   

                                   

PAYMENT:                    Payment by cash or cheque only. No credit cards accepted except for online Zone4 registration. Please make cheque payable to: BJSC. Payment may be made at Bib pick up.

                                     

START LISTS

AND BIB PICKUP:         Start lists will be posted Saturday by 9:30am at the Black Jack Warming hut. Bib pick up at the same location.

                                   

AWARDS                      At Black Jack after the race on February 4, 2006

CEREMONY:                                        

                                                                                     

FACILITIES:                 There is a Warm-up Cabin and a First Aid kit at the race site. Several outhouses are located close to the parking and stadium area. Snacks will be provided by our volunteers. Refreshments at 10k intervals on the course.

 

WAXING :                     Limited waxing facilities are available at the race site.

 

 

 

ACCOMMODATION :                 Rossland:                      Red Mtn Motel               250-362-9000

                                                                                    Thriftlodge                     250-362-7364

                                                                                    Prestige                        250-362-7375

                                                                                    Ram’s Head Inn             250-362-9577

                                                Check out www.rossland.com for Bed & Breakfast lodging

 

For information call 250-362-7134

 

More information below….

 

RACE SCHEDULE

                                               

DATE:                           SATURDAY, February 4, 2006

 

MASS  START – FREE  TECHNIQUE

 

LOCATION:                  Black Jack Ski Club trails

TIME:                           10:30 AM (Registration in advance only)

 

 

 

 

RACE ENTRY FORM

 

Name of event :  Black Jack Loppet                                     Date : Feb 4, 2006

 

Name of Competitor____________________________________________________

 

Club______________________________________Age as of race day:_____________

 

Date of Birth____/____/____ Category _________Sex_____Fee:_____Distance:_____

                       Y     M     D

Address________________________________________________________________

 

________________________________________Postal Code____________________

 

Telephone________________________________ Fax __________________________

 

Email address __________________________________________________________

                 

 

Waiver below…..

 

EVENT PARTICIPANT WAIVER 2006

 

Name of Activity :  Black Jack Loppet     Date of Activity:  February 4, 2006

 

IN CONSIDERATION OF Cross Country Canada (hereinafter called CCC), Cross Country BC (hereinafter called CCBC) and Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club  accepting my entry into the above named activity, I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, forever release, and forever discharge, CCC, CCBC, and Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club, their executive directors, servants, agents, sponsors, supporters, employees or volunteers from any and all claims, demands, damages, costs (including solicitor and client costs on a full indemnity basis), actions or causes of actions, proceedings arising out of or in consequence of any loss, injury or damage which may arise by reason of negligence of the CCC, CCBC  and Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club, their servants, agents, sponsors, supporters, employees or volunteers.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, I further release any and all recourses which I may now or hereinafter have resulting from any decisions of CCC, CCBC and Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club.

 

In addition to the foregoing, I further waive any claims I might have in connection with any cancellation or rescheduling of the event for whatever reason.

 

I declare  that my physical condition, to the best of my knowledge, is adequate to participate safely in the sport of cross country skiing, and that no physician or other qualified individual has advised me against participating in the sport. I further acknowledge and agree that it is my choice as whether I will obtain a physical examination prior to participating in the event, and I hereby acknowledge and agree to assume all risks associated with not obtaining such examination, or if I do obtain an examination and is instructed not to participate in the event, I hereby assume all risks associated with my participation.

 

I authorize and consent to the publication by the CCC, CCBC and Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club of any materials containing my name or picture, and I release to the CCC, CCBC and Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club and all persons acting under authority from them, any claims I might have due to the initial or subsequent publication of such material.

 

By completing this Waiver of Liability with my signature below, I hereby agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations as set forth by the CCC, CCBC and Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club, and to follow the instructions of the officials during the event.

 

Adult Participant Release and Waiver

 

As a participant of the named activity, I have read and understand the contents and intent of this waiver:

 

Name:______________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Date:____________________________________________

 

Signature:___________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Witness:____________________________________________________________________________

 

Minor Participant Release and Indemnification

 

As a parent or guardian of______________________________ who is under the legal age of 19, I have read and understand the contents and intent of this waiver and accept its terms and conditions on behalf of

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Name of Parent/Guardian:___________________________________­­___________________________

 

Date:__________________________________________

 

Signature of Parent/Guardian:_______________________________Witness:_____________________________

 

BIATHLON

 

The biathlon range has recently received its targets for the shooting part of the biathlon.  The biathlon club would like to thank the Credit Union for donating $8000 towards the targets.  This is very helpful and greatly appreciated by everyone who uses the targets regularly, as well as by the BC Winter Games who is hosting the biathlon portion of the games.  We would also like to thank TeckCominco for donating $8000 for the biathlon hut. 

 

NIGHT SKIING

 

Before the season is over, take the opportunity to ski out at Black Jack at night under the lights.  The Rabbits and Junior Racers are taking full advantage of the lighting system and are training in the evenings now.  As the cost of running the lights is $200 per month, we strongly encourage you to pay your membership for the season or buy a ticket for the evening if you are skiing at night.  In order to ensure that people are doing this, we will be having checkers out on the trails, skiing, and they will be asking to see your pass or ticket.  Please ski with your pass or ticket at all times. 

 

TRAIL MAINTENANCE

 

Black Jack would like to thank Trevor Houlden, trail maintenance man extraordinaire for his fantastic job this fall on the trails.  We sure do appreciate all his hard work now! A work party is forming for Feb 1^st. Call Andy to get involved: 362-5042

 

PARENTS OF RABBITS AND JUNIOR RACERS

 

Please remember to wear your pass or day ticket when you are skiing after dropping off your children for lessons.  Bridget is having a hard time figuring out who’s paid and who hasn’t as there are such a large number of people who arrive at the same time. 

 

SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES

 

We have had a number of people request clarification about this category for season pass holders.  This category refers to families with one parent in the house on a full time basis.  It does not refer to families with only one parent who skis!

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

Thanks also to Fred Bushell who steps in wherever he is needed to help keep the club running smoothly.  On very short notice, Fred has volunteered to be the Chief of race for the upcoming Loppet.

 

Enjoy the month and we’ll see you out on the trails!