. DAVE TAYLOR ieee eee TERRACE STANDARD The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 14, 1998 - BS SPORTS. 638-7283 Riders storm Shames for tournament Conditions perfect to get some really big air BLUE SKY, big air. Organizers couldn’t have asked for better weather at the first Shames Mtn. Big Air snowboard competition of 1998. And local riders didn’t disappoint speclators, who watched as they lifted off into the bright clear sky, leaving only genlle wisps of soft powder in their wake, Airborne, they twisted, they turned, they flipped, then nailed the landing. Well, al least some of them did. Many of the landings were, um, mare creative, Bul explosive landings are often more fun to watch than perfect ones, and there were plenty of both at the competition. Big Air, held at Shames two weekends ago, was the second of back-to-back snoawboard events al the hill. The first was on Friday, Jan. 2. Aboul 20 riders tumed out for the Boardercross event thal saw up to five riders racing down a mn at the same time. They bumped into cach other and cut each other off — all in a bid to be the first onc to the bottom. ‘That was really neat,’ says ormanizer Wendy Shymanski, “‘T’ve never seen a boardercross before and it was quite exciting.”’ It was also a little nippy, but thai probably only enticed riders to get to the bottom as fast as possible. In the Men’s 13-and-under category, Patrick Kelly finished first, with Jesse Potulick second. The 14-18 age group * saw first place go to Derrick Konnandy, second to Colin Davies and third to Randy Toovey. In the Men's 19-30 age group Josh Anker out-paced the pack to take first, with Jayson Kowalsky second and Duncan Morris third, the women’s side, Geneveive Orr finished first in the 14 to 18-year- old category. Bambi Healey was sec- ond, and Amanda Talstra third. In the 19-30 group, it was Sarah Lane first and Sam MacKenzie second, The next day there was a tempera- ture inversion on the hill, bringing warm air to compliment a beautiful, sunny day — perfect flying weather. And the riders sure soared at the Big Air competition, About 20 riders sigued up to compete, fewer thau ‘The kids were doing flips and jumps and spins. Some of the stuff they were cranking off was just wow! We have some very talented snowboar- ders here’? — Wendy Shymanski organizers were hoping for, but they really put on a show, The event was held at the tap of the T-bar, so other skiers and snowbcar- ders couldn't miss it. Shymanski says lots of them hung around to watch competitors jump, ““We had lots of spectators, and we had the music going — it was great,” she says. ‘‘The kids were doing flips and jumps and spins. Some of the stuff they were cranking off was just wow! We have some very talented snowboarders here.” In the Women’s Open category, Genevieve Orr picked up her second first-place win in two days. She was followed by Amanda Talsira and Sam MacKenzie, wha tied for second, Hol- ly Hovland placed third. In the Men’s 18-and-under group, it was Ryan Spencer with the win. Cotin Davies finished second aud Derrick Kormondy placed third. And in the Men’s 19-and-over group, Jayson Kowalski took first place. He was followed by Kristian Grey in second, and Travis Graham in third spot. Shymanski says she was» really pleased with the support the event reccived from sponsors and volunteers — including Mayor Jack Talstra who acted as one of the judges for the Big Air competition. Son Mike Talstra was one of the event’s key organizers and a big snowboarder himself. He’s warking hard to raise the profile of the sport at Shames. ‘He's awesome,’ says Shymauski. ‘‘Boarding is just taking off at Shames. Half of the kids at ski school are snowboarding now.” For the more advanced crowd, the hill is offering Level One courses in both snowboarding and skiing [ater this month. Level One training is re- quired in order to teach the sport. The course will be held Jan. 16, 17 and 18. Shymanski says that although the competition didn’t draw the out-of- town crowd they would have liked, she’s confident the next event will pull in more riders. ‘It’s early in the season,’ she says. ‘The next one will be bigger aud bet- ter,” That next competition is currently sel for March 19 and 20. Slalom ski race this weekend ‘A CLOSE RACE: Bambi Healy and Amanda Talstra square off in the Boarder- cross competition held at Shames Mountain two weekends ago, Healy won this race, finishing second overall in her 14 to 18-year-old age group. Talstra was third. The weather was pretty chilly for the Boardercross but it warmed up the next NEXT WEEK day for the Big Air competition. (photo: Wendy Shymanski} Peewees look strong at Vanderhoof tourney TERRACE’S PEE Wee rep squad went into the finals undefeated at a recent Vanderhoof toumament before losing their final game to Kitimat. Six. teams from Terrace to Prince George attended the toumey Jan. 2-4 and ‘there was plenty of fast-paced action. Terrace started out strong in a game ‘against Smithers. The local lads took it to their rivals, peppering the Smithers goalie with shots. . The goalie made an admirable attempt to staunch the offensive flow, but he couldn’t stop Terrace. The final score was 6-2, ~ The second game was another goal-fest for Terrace, Grant Commins netted a hat- wick on the way to a 10-2 trouncing of Prince George. The following match against Fort St. ’ James.was more even with steady play on both sides, But Tertace still came out on “top — winning 5-3. In the final game of round-robin play, Terrace faced Smithers again. Once more, they kept up the offensive pressure and led throughout the game on their way to a 7-1 victory. The win sent them into the finals against Kitimat. The game opened up ata fast-pace, and it continued through the first period, although neither team scored. Grant Commins finally opened the scor- ing at 14:24 in the second, assisted hy Ryan Beaulieu. But Kitimat answered with just 20 seconds left in the period on a goal by Justin Mecideras. Kitimat then pulled ahead early in the third. Nick Spoor scored at 6:29 to take the 2-1 lead. Five minutes later, Corcy Paulsen ticd it up for Terrace. He was assisted by JJ. Duben. And that’s as close as Terrace came. They ran into penalty trouble late in the game and Kitimat capitalized with a power-play goal. Nick Spoor slapped home the game-winner with five minutes to play on a pass near (he corner of the net from teammate Rodney Pelley. Players to celebrate Minor Hockey Week in Terrace is Minor invited to attend a PeeWee For real die-hard = fans, Hockey Week across Cana- da, and Terrace players too will be laking part in the ac- tivitics. Due to a lack of ice-time, the Terrace Minor Hockey Association has decided not to have a skills tournament or intra-divislon tourna- ment, Instead, the organization is making it an ‘‘awareness week” to promote the sport and the challenges it faces in Terrace. To kick off Minor Hockey Week, all minor hockey players in the city are being Rep game Jan. 16 at 8 p.m.. The game will feature Ter- race against Prince Rupert, and it should be a good match. It will also be a great chance to drum up some team and city spirit. Teams are asked to sit to- gether with their coaches at the game. Organizer Debbie Simons points out that it would be a real thrill for the local rep team to have the support of their entire orza- nization behind them at the game. The public is also in- vited to attend and support minor hockey, , there wiil also be a Bantam/ Midget game at 10 p.m. that same night, The next event is Wednes- day, Jan. 21. That will be jersey day, when all minor hockey players will be en- couraged to wear their jer- seys to school to show their team pride. Minor Hockey Week also features the Dairyland Penalty-Free Challenge. Teams that have penalty- free games during the week can enter to win team trips fo a Canucks home game or NHL replica jerseys. STRAP ON THOSE gog- gles and wax up those skis, cause it’s lime for the first ski race of the year at Shames. The Shames Mountain Ski Club is holding a slalom race Jan. 17-18 on part of the Rainbow Ridge run, There will be one heat each morning and one each altemoon of the event. — Skiers from around the Norther Zone will attend. The Ski Club is also invit- ing speciators to come out to sce some exciting racing. And organizers are looking for some volunteers, both with or without race experi- ence, The Shames Ski Club is gaiting a bit of,a late. start.., this year, but they are now taking registration for new members. The club is open to skiers aged 12 to 19-years who are interested in racing. Membership, which costs $200 annually, includes professional coaching, pre- season and in-season train- ing, and membership in the BC. ‘Alpine. ‘Ski Assaciation. It also includes entry in, lo- cal and out-of- -Lowh. races and subsidized ski-bus rates. For more information about the club, to register, or to volunteer for this weckend’s race call Randy at 635-3968, or leave a mcs- sage al 635-3942, Skeena girls coming together THE SKEENA JUNIOR girls basketball squad con- tinued to tighten up their play al a tournament this weekend and could pose a threat al the Zones this year, Skeena hosied the five- team play day, which drew squads from Hazelton, Kitimat and Prince Rupert. And the girls came oul flying in their first game against Mount Elizabeth. The Orcas clearly weren’t prepared for the defensive pressure the Wildcats were able to maintain throughout the first quarter. Skeena = pressed = and pressed, managing io hold Kilimat to just five points in the first cight minutes and criding the first quarter with a 12-5 lead. The second quarter was all Skeena. Excellent defense by Shannon Chalupiak and aggressive play by Pam Gavronsky helped the Wild- cals lo a 37-11 lead al halftime. The Orcas rallied after the break, scoring the first four points of the third quarter. Skeena picked up the next four, and that’s all the two teams managed to get dur- ing the full eight minutes. Mistakes and rushed shots on both sides kept the ball out of the hoop, Both teams picked up the play in the fourth quarter, In spite of some defensive cr- rors, Kelly Haugland made some excellent plays for Skeena, as did Kristine Haugland. And team captain Nala Maddalena coutinued lo dominate play. She fin- ished the game with 18 points. The final score was 51-26 for the Wildcats. Coach Marg. Anderson says she’s pleased with how DEFENSE: Chelsea Fladhammer shuts down an Orca play with a little in-your- face work. The Wildcats easily won this game against their Kitimat rivals 51-26. Skeena is coming along, We're finding our feet,” she says, “'Today everyone carried at Icast half the game. We’ re coming togeth- er?! Anderson says that the team’s extra experience in games played over the holi- days may have given her girls an edge over MESS, The next play day for Skeena is Jan. 31 in Kitimat. Meanwhile, the Skeena ,boys are not looking quite ;as strong. Their record of 1- 3 is indicalive of thelr youth — most of the team is in Grade Nine, Plus, the boys are missing their all-star player, 64”? Robert Haugland. He's been suspended for the scason, but coach Scott Stewart says he still practices with the team and will be a force next year, The boys’ next game is tonight against Kitimat, The match will take place at Caledonia at 5:30 p.m..