Nineteen swimmers travelled to Haines, Alaska, on the weekend for the 2006 Spring Sprint Carnival.
Hayley Bielz, Tanner Cassidy, Erin McArthur, Kate McArthur, Connor Oliver-Beebe, Erin Oliver-Beebe and Spencer Sumanik all logged personal bests in every event they entered.
Cassidy finished the meet with nine first-place finishes in the male 13-and-over category.
Molly Purser grabbed nine firsts and a second in the female 13-and-over group, while Taylor Campbell had six firsts and two seconds in the female 10-and-under age group.
Thomas Chretien achieved an AA standard for the first time and Jason Zrum lopped nearly 20 seconds off his best time in the 100-metre individual medley.
It was the first official meet for a number of the young swimmers, including Jesica Harach, Shara Kearney, Mark Verhall, Haley Wirachowski and Megan Wirachowski.
In March, 15 Whitehorse Glacier Bear swimmers enjoyed a successful trip to Juneau, Alaska.
There, they competed in the Last Chance Invitational Swim Meet, so called because it was the last opportunity for Southeast Alaska swimmers to qualify for Junior Olympic State Championships.
Also competing were teams from Haines, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Petersburg, Alaska.
Alexandra Gabor led the group, setting five new club records and racing to nine first-place finishes.
Also setting new club records were Geoffrey Thompson with two, and Craig Berube and Brendan Zrum with one each.
The next major competition for the Glacier Bears is the Whitehorse Invitational Swim Meet, to be held in Whitehorse April 28 and 29.
It’s orienteering season
Over the past few years, orienteering has taken off in the Yukon.
With three national team members living in the territory, and one of the best collections of mapped areas to be found anywhere in North America, an exciting season lies ahead.
The Yukon has an active junior program and registration will take place on Wednesday April 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the foyer of the Sport Yukon building.
Children age eight and up are welcome to participate in the junior training, although younger kids must be accompanied by a parent.
People interested in finding out more about the junior program are encouraged to drop by Sport Yukon on the registration night.
Training sessions are held every other Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in various locations.
The first will be held Wednesday April 26, and the program will continue through August. The cost is $35.
Juniors have the opportunity to orienteer every week as regular club events are held on alternate Wednesdays.
The first club event will be held on Wednesday, May 3 on the Yukon College map.
Start time is 6:30 p.m. and the start location is at the pump house by the pond. Follow the signs!
A special Learn-to-Orienteer event will be held on June 10 for people who want more hands-on help.
Information on special events and B meets are always announced in the local newspapers; you can also find information online at www.yukonorienteering.ca.
While orienteering is a relatively minor sport in North America, it is a major one in Europe, and this means that elite-level orienteers have many opportunities to travel overseas.
Justine Scheck, a 17-year-old Yukon orienteer, will travel to Lithuania for the Junior Worlds.
Yukoner Brent Langbakk, a national team member, is travelling to Estonia in May for a World Cup race, and then on to Denmark for a training camp.
Brent and Pam James will both be trying to secure a berth on the World Championships team at trials in June.
Mount McIntyre
ski report
Skiing is still very good, but trails may be icy or slushy depending on time of day. It’s recommended to walk over the bridge and start skiing on Copper Trail.
Skiing beyond Lynx is still very good.
World Cup 10K is also in good shape, but plan to walk down the ‘S’ Bend.
Pierre Harvey trail and Selwyn’s are in very good condition.
Wax of the day: Use Rode or Swix universal Klister. Apply one thin layer.
The wax room is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Friday. And 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the weekend. If there is still skiing next week the wax room will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The ski base will be open Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and next week on Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For updated trail conditions and event information call the ski club information line (668-7742) or check the website www.xcskiwhitehorse.ca