Weather dawned almost perfect for the Whistler WindUp race on Friday where competitors climbed 1200 meters from the Whistler Village to the Roundhouse on top. Cresting the top in a sprint finish and only a stride ahead of second place was Kilian Jornet Burgad at a time of 1:03:30! Just 4/10ths of a second ahead of second place Manuel Perez, both from Spain. The fastest woman was Izaskun Zubirzarretta in a time of 1:17:17 followed by Mireia Miro Varela at 1:21:51. Top Canadians were Chris Kroger for the men at 1:12:02 and in 2nd place Andy Traslin 1:13:47. Top Canadian women was Melanie Berner in a time of 1:43:45.

This was a remarkable field and the times are world class given that Burgada holds the World Record for a 1000 meter climb in a time of 0:31:55. That is an amazing climbing rate of 1887m or 6226 ft per hour.

Saturday dawned sunshine as the field of 37 competitors took off for Whirlwind Peak 13 kms in the distance. At over 26 kms total distance and almost 2200 m of climbing enroute to the finish line, it was a great challenge to all. After the first hill a lead group separated itself and in the end Peter Svatojansky from Slovakia finished with the amazing time of 2:26:37, a full one hour faster than the fastest time from last year. In second was Killian J. Burgada at a time of 2:27:03. The renowned record holder Greg Hill was the top Canadian male at 3:00:13. Greg has done 50000 vertical feet in one day and over a million vertical feet in one season. On Sunday after the race, he decided to do an easy trip, the entire Spearhead Traverse including all the summits and 20 700 vertical feet and 47 kms! The top women were Izaskun Zubizarreta in a time of 3:19:21 with Mireia Miro Varela in 2nd at 3:29:39. In classic Canadian diplomacy style, the top Canadian women tied for first place, they came across the finish line together in 4:10:18.

The “Soul and Spirit” Award to the most inspirational competitor was awarded to Andy Traslin who finished in 7th place in a time of 3:23:10. Andy had fallen and dislocated his shoulder at the just over the 2 hour mark and he still managed to finish the race, an incredible albeit painful accomplishment. He was attended to by the Whistler Patrol and doctors to reset his shoulder immediately after he finished the race.

And finally, the Whistler Dash 10 was won by Jonathan Wong in a time of 1:32:43 and for the women, Jen Jerabek in 2:02:39, both from Canada. In total there were 84 racers competing in the three events. Both International Ski Mountaineering and Alpine Club of Canada officials were scrutinizing the event. As designated High Range Classic race (one of only two in the world), the CNSMC Spearhead Passage course at the Whistler Resort has a fantastic future as the centre of ski mountaineering competition in North America.

The Canadian Championships will return next year in April on a harder and longer course. After the fine showing by the European racers who attended it is expected that next year’s field will be substantially bigger with athletes from many, many countries.

It was a very successful event and has impressed the officials to such an extent, they have already announced their support to host the North American Championships here in 2009!

Results
Spearhead Passage
The North Face Whistler Dash
Wind Up

Links

www.wbfj.ca
www.whistler2007.com
www.movementskis.com
www.skimountaineeringISMC.com