VANOC is donating $1 to the Callaghan Valley Training Centre for every stair shoveled at the Olympic venue's ski jumps on Saturday (Feb. 16) after the Coast Cup competition hosted by Spud Valley. The Squamish-based training centre's five cross-country skiers will need all the help they can get to maximize fundraising by clearing off the 1,500 stairs lining the two jumps, said head coach Amy Caldwell."Anything helps. Even if they come out and shovel a stair it's great."
This will be the centre's first fundraiser as the training centre was formed just this past summer. The money will help offset traveling and racing costs, which Caldwell estimates surpass $10,000 per athlete each year. Provincial funding is limited because the athletes are not yet at the National Team level, which means they are responsible for the majority of funding.The centre is designed to place regional athletes on the National Team while providing personal programs opportunities and conducting regional outreach programs to develop the local ski community.
The shovel-fest will definitely be a good workout to keep the skiers in shape for the Western Canadian Championships coming up Feb. 17-23 in La Ronge, Sask., said Caldwell."But hopefully they don't get too sore."
The group recently concluded their U.S. ski tour in Wisconsin by competing in the US SuperTour Madison City Sprints Feb. 2-3. Emily Nishikawa finished an impressive third place overall in the Women's Classic Sprint race, while CVTC teammate Hannah Perry finished strong in eighth spot.
In the Men's Classic Sprint race, Chris Werrell double-poled to sixth-place after getting edged out at the finish line. Fellow CVTC skier Jesse Heckrodt finished in 16th place. In the Men's 100m event, Werrell earned third place while Perry finished second in the women's race.Needless to say, team members have been busy and deserve help from local supporters. Indeed, Heckrodt said he's excited to work hard for his money but he's a little worried about the amount and weight of the snow they face.
"It's probably up to here," he said, raising his hand to his forehead. "It's been raining a bit lately too so it's probably going to be pretty heavy."
The shoveling begins after the Coast Cup races around 2 p.m. and runs to about 6 p.m. but volunteers can come and go as they please.
Coast Cup athletes and spectators are encouraged to bring their shovels and warm up with a little heave-hoo.
