yyzcanuck

Looks like a BIG SKY family vacation during the week of January 2 -9, 2011 is in the works. More details to follow as we get closer to the actual dates. Anybody have interest in getting a few people together for a small session?

chadx... sent you an email through BOL.

I'm looking for the impeller blades or... parts of them. What do you have? . . .

Heck, I figure it must be 120% 'cause I've bought that pass twice in the past and didn't use it even once!!

Andrea spoke to Jeff about 2 weeks ago too. He is working to get things back in order but as noted by Sean, parts are still in production.

In the attached image you'll notice 2 extra webs (A) on the right hand side of the baseplate. In this case, the right side is where the binding is marked "inside". Also, you will notice cut-outs (B)at the heel and toe that become slightly larger towards the 'outside'. Those two things are supposed to provide the baseplate with an asymmetric flex. . . .

Just received this information regarding the auction at this LINK. In February of 2011, the Canada Winter Games are scheduled to take place in Halifax Nova Scotia. Under the Team BC umbrella, BC Snowboard has formed a group of young elite athletes in pursuit of a common goal; to stand on the podium at the Canada Winter Games. This is a team of serious, competitive athletes who have been selected as the Province's top snowboarders under 21. In order to provide the best training and support to these athletes we require a substantial amount of resources. All money raised through this auction goes directly to supporting these athletes in their quest for Canada Games Gold. BC Snowboard would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the individuals and companies who have supported this auction. For more information regarding the Games please go to www.canadagames2011.ca

The IBEX bindings have a left/right designation. It's marked on the aluminum baseplate as "inside" which refers to the inside or medial part of the foot. . . .

"Asyms are the furthest possible progression in snowboard geometry right? Well, think again!" Frank, Frank, Frank... asym? Really? ;-))

Matt Morison... yeah, that Matt Morison of the Canadian National Team, should be just about finishing up his schooling and training. I'll try to get a photo or two.

The race results can be found here.

I've used the SAWA braces... HERE.

CANADA~SNOWBOARD MOURNS THE PASSING OF JACQUELINE SNARR Snarr, President of the Association of Ontario Snowboarders, loses life in tragic accident while snowboarding (West Vancouver, BC - March 18, 2010) On behalf of the entire snowboard community, Canada~Snowboard would like to send its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jacqueline Snarr, president of the Association of Ontario Snowboarders, who passed away Wednesday morning in an accident. "Canada~Snowboard sends its condolences to the family and friends of Jacqueline Snarr. We are deeply saddened by her loss as there is no worse feeling than losing a member of our community, of our family. Jacqueline played an instrumental part in the management and turnaround of the Ontario provincial association, bringing structure and leadership to the organisation. She will without a doubt be missed by all of us in the community," said Tom McIllfaterick, Chief Executive Officer of Canada~Snowboard. Jacqueline Snarr, a former competitive snowboarder residing in Mississauga, Ontario, lost her life while snowboarding. The tragic accident happened on the morning of March 17th at the Beaver Valley Ski Club in the Grey Highlands near Collingwood, Ontario. Snarr, as she always did while snowboarding, was wearing a helmet at the moment of the accident. Snarr was born October 21, 1961. She passed away at age 48. In addition to her role as president of AOS, she was a senior snowboarding official and learning facilitator, and a leader in officiating and event delivery in Ontario. In February of 2010, Snarr dedicated her time and energy to volunteer at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, as a course worker at Cypress Mountain. Snarr, married to Scott, was a mother of two sons, Andrew and Thomas and a daughter, Anne-Marie. She was an avid athlete and outdoor enthusiast. Both her sons are competitive snowboarders in Canada. Condolences can be sent to aos@ontariosnowboarders.ca. Friends and family are invited to pay a last visit to Jacqueline Snarr at the Turner Porter Funeral Home in Mississauga, Ontario, on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 4pm, and from 7pm to 9pm. Turner Porter is located at 2180 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, ON. L5B 1M8. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Christopher’s Church, 1171 Clarkson Rd., Mississauga (north of Lakeshore) on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Details of the Death notice: http://www.turnerporter.ca/obits.html . . .

OK, I know the plates will be available to the public in about 2 weeks. It looks like Apex Composites and Own the Podium have reached some sort of agreement and Apex is moving forward with a limited production run. Initial production models will fit on the current Hangl-Spirig insert pattern with plans to make a 4x4 compatible version in the near future. Who wants an APEX Plate System? As C^2 noted... the price will be $1000-$1050CDN.

Very sad news to hear. Condolences to her family and all those that will miss her. Dave, Andrea & Lillian Morgan

From the article posted HERE: By Chris Halliday | Mar 10, 2010 | Taylor Dee-serving of provincial snowboarding silver medal Finishing second at Winter Games:. Orangeville native Taylor Dee finished second in the men’s parallel giant slalom at the 2010 Ontario Winter Games in Coldwater, Ont. on March 4. The 17-year-old has hopes to one day qualify for the Olympics. Alpine snowboarder Taylor Dee surveys the slope from the start gate moments before the gold medal run of the men’s parallel giant slalom at the 2010 Ontario Winter Games held in Coldwater, Ont., planning in his mind which line he’ll take to the finish. “Red Course ready. Blue Course ready. Attention. Go!” sounds the starter and Dee descends onto the course, racing head-to-head against familiar foe Richard Evanoff of Pickering, Ont. Starting the second of two runs trailing by about 0.2 seconds, Dee pulls even by the midway point. “I basically tried to hold out. … If I could keep up with him on the steep pitch, I knew that I could put it to him on the flat,” Dee said. “But, once we hit the (course’s) rhythm change, I just couldn’t hold onto it and kind of skidded out.” Unfortunately, it would not be enough, as Dee finished second behind Evanoff with a combined time of 1:08.63, claiming the silver medal on March 4. Still, the 17-year-old Orangeville native has no reason for regret. “I think I choked to tell you the truth,” Dee said. “But, second in my first Ontario Winter Games was pretty good.” No stranger to the slopes, Dee gains motivation from a personal connection to 2010 Olympic gold medalist Jasey-Jay Anderson, as well as national snowboarders and Olympians Michael Lambert and Matthew Morison. The Grade 12 student at Orangeville District Secondary School, who used to race and train alongside them during his younger years, now attempts to pattern that same route to international success. “We’re all kind of a big family in snowboarding, so we know each other. I definitely take inspiration from them,” Dee said. “They were probably where I am right now (back) when I was six. I was racing with them all the time, always talked to them. I looked up to them and the path they took. So, I kind of want to follow them.” The Olympic hopeful has come a long way since he was a toddler, often found in daycare while his skiing family managed to find some time to hit the slopes at the Cedar Highlands Ski Club. “I always cried in the daycare because I always wanted to be out there snowboarding,” Dee lamented. “In pretty much two years, I was skiing. Then from there, I started snowboarding and never stopped.” With his Olympic dream fraught with challenges, Dee focuses on improving his technique each day with the goal to qualify for Sochi, Russia in 2014. For starters, Dee knows he’ll need to earn a spot on the national development team. Currently deciding whether to pursue university or college after graduation this spring, Dee is leaning towards taking a year off in order to devote his efforts to the sport full-time. “I have to work on making my feet faster. I need better agility because when you’re racing slalom, you have to get across the board really quick,” Dee explained. “I’m doing it alright now, better than last year,” he added. “But there is always room for improvement.” . . .

They'll be offered on EBAY, February 28th!

From the press release HERE: Canadian sponsor willing to pay $1 million for luge gold at Vancouver By Jim Morris, The Canadian Press | February 10, 2010 | read source WHISTLER, B.C. — After years of slumming it, Canada's Olympic luge team has a chance to move into sport's high-rent neighbourhood. An Alberta sponsor has offered a $1-million prize to any Canadian luger who wins a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. That's huge for us to be offered that sort of thing," Calgary's Alex Gough said Tuesday, a few moments after learning about the golden carrot. Sam Edney said the offer shows the potential of Canada's luge team. A year ago we had no title sponsor," said the Calgary resident, who is considered a threat in the men's event. Now we've got a group of people that believe in us so much they are willing to put that kind of money on the line." The cash is being put up by Fast Track Group, a company which bills itself as a financial education specialist. I guess I'm blessed financially and I wanted to share," company founder Darren Weeks said in a telephone interview from St. Albert, Alta. The million-dollar prize would be split between the athlete and the Canadian Luge Association. There is only the single million-dollar windfall, so if athletes win more than one gold, they'll have to divide the money among themselves. The company is also offering $50,000 for each silver and bronze medal. There will be a $5,000 reward for the top Canadian in men's and women's singles and doubles. The athletes can pocket all the cash. The offer is not only for the Vancouver Games, but stands for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Weeks said since becoming the team sponsor he noticed the disparity in the financial rewards received by some sports. Alpine skiers, figure skaters, snowboarders and speedskaters can earn six-figure salaries in sponsorships. Luge athletes live on the other side of the sliding track. I was trying to level the playing field and give them more exposure," said Weeks. As an entrepreneur you do things on the spur of the moment. I thought, why not?" Weeks has not taken out an insurance policy in case he needs to shell out the million. A medal is considered a longshot, however, at least on paper. The team's best hopes are Gough and Edney. Gough, 22, finished in the top six four times this year on the World Cup and was No. 4 at last year's world championships. Currently ranked seventh in the world, she was 20th at the 2006 Games in Turin. Edney, 25, finished a career-best fifth to kick off this season and also posted a seventh-place finish. He was 12th in Whistler in the pre-Olympic test event last year and is ranked 15th in the world. Gough said visions of mansions and fast cars won't be dancing through her head at the start line. We still have to go out there and do our job," she said. It's just about going out there and sliding and doing the best we can. If we can put it down and slide to our potential, we do have a shot. In the end, it's really out of our hands." Edney said he'd love to grab the brass ring, but it's still the lure of gold that is driving him. All of us going into this Olympics are not thinking about this million dollars," he said. We come in here to compete, represent our country, and go for the best results you can. If that turns out to be a gold medal, what that is and what that is worth is more than what they (First Track) is offering. At the same time, that kind of support and push is unbelievable. It definitely lights something in each of us." Mike Moffat, who competes in the double luge with his brother Chris, said most athletes don't have a retirement plan waiting for them. We've never made money," he said. We've been supported by our families. It would be nice to get some financial security. Do I compete to win a million? No, not at all. It would be a nice bonus." Regan Lauscher of Red Deer, Alta., who is competing in her third Games, said she would use the money to replace her motorcycle that got stolen. Moffat said the cash would be just one more thing he'd have to share with his brother. We have shared rooms, shared beds," Mike laughed. Chris and I have shared everything in life. It only make sense to share the money. I might cash the cheque though, and withhold a little bit." Edney said he would donate some of his winnings to Right to Play. And after that? I'd buy some new skis to try and ski at Whistler," he said. The Canadian Olympic Committee has also promised a medals bonus, with $20,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. Fast Track Group is sponsoring the luge team to the tune of $1,002,014 over five years.

If anyone is interested in receiving updates by SMS to their mobile phone... go HERE. . . http://www.txt2look.com/Olympics/

You're a daisy if you do!

The $100K doesn't go directly to the medal athlete... it goes into a 'fund' that supports many amateur athletes in Canada.

From the article posted HERE: Each Olympic Gold Nets $100,000 For Athletes Canadian athletes who strike gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics will be sparking more than just future dreams for younger athletes – they'll be making a financial investment in them. Sprott Asset Management LP, known for its success with gold stocks, announced this morning in Toronto that in conjunction with The Sprott Foundation they will donate $100,000 for every gold medal won in Vancouver to the Canadian Athletes Now Fund, which raises money to help this country's athletes. While Canada has never won a gold medal at a home Olympics, it's expected they could win as many as 10 at the upcoming Games. “One of warmest feelings of all time is to see a Canadian athlete win a medal,” said Eric Sprott, ceo of Sprott Management LP. “It's stunningly exciting. I always realized these athletes winning the medals have worked so hard and there's so much dedication by those around them. I've always thought it was a huge accomplishment and should be rewarded.” Sprott said it was of much greater benefit overall to spread the money out among athletes than have it go to the winner of the gold medal. “We don't want to say that the person who wins gold is the only winner,” said Sprott. “There are a lot of athletes involved, not just gold medal athletes.” Jane Roos, founder of the CAN Fund, said it was Sprott who came up with the idea. “It celebrates excellence and fits in with our vision to have summer and winter athletles work together to support each other,” said Roos. To that end, Olympic rowing gold medalist Ben Rutledge attended the launch of the fundraiser. “I think it's great we've got somebody who is looking ahead to the future, especially knowing we face funding cutbacks going forward,” said Rutledge. The Sprott Foundation has also made an initial contribution of $210,000 to help the CAN Fund cover funding for 35 athletes they still had on their books. The CAN Fund gives out $6,000 to each athlete to help cover training and living expenses. Roos said that 80 per cent of the athletes on the Winter Olympic team have received funds from their group. Sprott Asset Management is also encouraging other corporations and the public to add to the total that will be donated for the gold medal tally at a website they have set up, www.sprottgoldpledge.com

Here's a pic of the equipment being used to move snow from higher elevations, down to the race courses. This is an Erickson Sky-Crane. Same helicopter that was used to place the upper tower sections on the CN Tower. Thanks to Jackie Snarr, President of the Association of Ontario Snowboarders for this. . . .

ANOTHER STELLAR PERFORMANCE BY CANADIAN ALPINE SNOWBOARD TEAM IN FIS NOR-AM CUP Women sweep podium for second straight day; men finish 1-2 as Lambert wins second straight (Mt Batchelor, USA – February 5, 2010) The Canadian Alpine Snowboard Team continued on its relentless pursuit today with yet another women’s sweep of the podium, and a 1-2 finish in men’s action at the 2010 FIS Nor-Am cup in Mt. Batchelor in the United States. Today’s racing was not a Parallel Giant Slalom, but a 2-run Giant Slalom, similar to the Giant slalom discipline in alpine skiing. Despite much improved weather conditions after yesterday’s snowstorm in Oregon, the course conditions remained extremely difficult for the riders. “The riders faced some pretty hard course conditions that shook them up a little bit,” said Sylvain Jean, coach of the Canadian Alpine Snowboarding Team. Caroline Calvé (Aylmer, QC) took the top spot in women’s racing by posting the fastest combined time of the two-run race. Kimiko Zakreski (Calgary, AB) took the silver medal, while Alexa Loo (Richmond, BC) won the bronze medal. Ariane Lavigne (Mt Tremblant, QC), who was fourth in yesterday’s parallel race, finished fifth. In Men’s action, Micheal Lambert (Toronto, ON) continued on his superb season with a second win in as many days. Matthew Morison (Burketon, ON), who excelled on his second race after making his comeback yesterday from an elbow injury, proved that he is indeed ready for the Olympics with a second-place finish. “This result is excellent for Matt, as well as for all the girls. Everyone raced hard today and we are thrilled with the outcome,” added Jean. Jasey-Jay Anderson (Mont-Tremblant, QC) did not participate in this race in order to rest up before the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

CANADIAN ALPINE SNOWBOARDING TEAM SHOWS DOMINATION AT FIS NOR-AM CUP IN THE UNITED STATES Canadian women sweep Nor-Am Podium; two guys take first and third spot (Mt Batchelor, USA – February 4, 2010) The Canadian Alpine Snowboard Team proved today they are ready for the 2010 Olympic Games by taking home five of the six available medals at the FIS Nor-Am Cup race at Mount Batchelor in the United States. The event is part of a training camp to finalize last preparations for the team heading to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In women’s racing, the Canadian women swept the podium, taking the first four spots. Alexa Loo (Richmond, BC) took home the gold medal by defeating teammate Caroline Calvé (Aylmer, QC) in the gold medal dual. Kimiko Zakreski (Calgary, AB) won the bronze medal by edging Ariane Lavigne (Mont-Tremblant, QC) in the bronze medal dual. The riders fought extreme weather conditions, racing in a massive snowstorm. “They fought hard today for these results. We’re really happy to have been able to post those results in the conditions that the riders had to face,” said Sylvain Jean, Coach of the Canadian Alpine Snowboarding Team. In Men’s action, Michael Lambert (Toronto, ON) defeated Chris Klug of the United States of America in the ultimate duel. Jasey-Jay Anderson took the bronze. Matt Morison (Burketon, ON) was back at racing in today’s race after sustaining a left elbow fracture earlier in December at the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup in Telluride. Morison did not finish. The Alpine snowboarding team will head back to the race hill tomorrow in a second PGS in FIS Nor-Am action prior to their arrival at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC.