CHEF DU JOUR - DON

DON TAIT
Crew Chief, Air Fence - Ladies
Hometown: Melville, Sk
Residence: Comox, BC
Ski Club: Mount Washington Ski Club
Race Time Hangout: Sunset Flats - Have air fence will blow
Favourite Place to Ski: Sun Peaks
Lake Louise Memory: Being a part of the team to pull off races they said wouldn't happen

CHEF DU JOUR - SANDIE

SANDIE HALES
Chief Steward & Environment Liaison - Ladies
Hometown: Kelowna, BC
Residence: Big White Ski Resort & Sproat Lake, Vancouver Island
Ski Club: Kelowna Ski Club
Race Time Hangout: Any one of the net openings along the course
Favourite Place to Ski: Big White, a close 2nd Fernie & Red
Lake Louise Memory: Sunrise at the Top of the World when it is cold and clear

CHEF DU JOUR - JOHN

JOHN FORD
Slip Crew Coordinator - Ladies
Aka: Johnny Ford
Hometown: West Vancouver, B.C.
Residence: Banff, AB
Ski Club: Banff Alpine Racers
Race Time Hangout: Moving, always moving!
Favourite Place to Ski: Delirium Dive, Sunshine Mountain Resort
Lake Louise Memory: Skiing through a foot of fresh powder down the course with 30 others on a moonlit night in 2006

SCHWAG

SLED DOG T-SHIRTS

After year's of "wanting to do something like this” The Sled Dogs finally have and are excited to unveil the first Sled Dog annual t-shirt.

The inaugural piece is NAVY in colour, 100% pre-shrunk cotton and available in sizes Small to 3XL. Final cost is to be determined as the print shop has yet to confirm but their estimate is in the range of $20 per shirt.

Orders can be placed tomorrow evening at Willow Park or by emailing your particulars to thesleddogs@telus.net no later than Friday, November 6th.

VOLLEY UNI'S

Is your jacket from last year a little long in the arms or in need of some other alteration? Worried about how this year's pants may not fit the way you want. Rest easy, the answer lies here: Cyrex Repairs, a specialist in dealing with tailoring technical fabrics.

Located in the Haysboro Centre at the corner of Elbow and Heritage Drive SW, Cyrex has been serving outdoor enthusiasts for the past twenty years. A number of us have used them over the years and can vouch for the quality of their work – it is excellent.

CYREX: 8419B Elbow Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 1K8 (403) 258-1827

FACEBOOK & WEB

Don't forget The Sled Dogs are now on Facebook. Join "The Sled Dog Alpine Club" and checkout for some great pictures from the past thanks to George Motter.

One technical item of note, the registration website is now closed to any and all alterations. If you have amendments to make please contact Volunteer Services via worldcupws@gmail.com for assistance.

Fallaway - October 28th

VOLLEY PARTY

Are you signed up for the 2009 Winterstart Kickoff Party?

The evening begins at 5pm at Willow Park Wine and Spirits and runs until 8. Enjoy an evening of friendship and meet some of the 2009 team all while sampling some great food and wine. Please RSVP your attendance to worldcupws@gmail.com

Thanks to Peggy Perry and her staff for their continuing support of The Sled Dogs and hosting this event again this year.

Willow Park Wines and Spirits - 10801 Bonaventure Drive SE

CHEF DU JOUR - PAT

PATRICK MAY
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: Paddy
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Glencoe – hahaha, that's golf!
Race Time Hangout: DT Cutoff
Favourtie Place to Ski: Sun Peaks
Lake Loouise Memory: Bode being Bode; jumps 3 rows of spec fence at the finish because "he had to leave"

CHEF DU JOUR - OTTO

DOUG ACHTYMICHUK
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: Otto!
Hometown: Kamsack, SK
Residence: Melville, SK
Ski Club: Qu'Appelle Valley Ski Club ( QVSC )
Race Time Hangout: Timing Flats
Favourtie Place to Ski: BIG WHITE
Lake Louise Memory: Radio call - Craig, who's idea was it to have a helicopter fly over the course to remove the snow from the trees!!!

CHEF DU JOUR - JEAN

JEAN GAGNON
Crew Chief - Ladies
Hometown: Québec City, QC
Residence: St-Faustin Lac Carré, QC (up north of Montreal)
Ski Club: Club de Competition Mt-Blanc
Race Time Hangout: C-Turn and Slipping
Favourite Place to Ski: Whistler
Lake Louise Memory: Going down GunBarrel in tuck position

CHEF DU JOUR - BARRY

BARRY PETERS
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: B-P
Hometown: Oyster Bed Bridge, PEI
Residence: Campbell River, BC
Ski Cub: Mt. Washington Ski Club
Race Time Hangout: Wherever Craig says to go - Fish Net
Favourite Place to Ski: Too many to say!

Lake Louise Memory: Getting the Super G off in 2008 after all that snow

CHEF DU JOUR - FRED

FREDRICK ROUTHIER
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: Fred
Hometwon: Beloeil, QC
Residence: St-Basile, QC
Ski Club: Bromont Competition Ski Club
Race Time Hangout: Fallaway
Favourtie Place to Ski: Wengen’s Lauberhorn
Lake Louise Memory: Early in the morning, Doug Achtymichuk’s section!

CHEF DU JOUR - DAN

DAN MCINTYRE
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: Danny Mac
Hometown: Soest, Germany
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Calgary Alpine Racers - Nakiska, AB
Race Time Hangout: Coaches
Favourite Place to Ski: Fernie (no hesitation)
Lake Louise Memory: 2000 Ladies Downhill Champion Petra Haltmayr gives me her bib.

CHEF DU JOUR - CHRISTINE

CHRISTINE YANISIW
Crew Chief – Mens and Ladies
Aka: CJ
Hometown: Whitehorse, YT
Residence: Whistler, BC
Ski Club: Whistler Weasel Workers / Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Race Time Hangout: Fallaway and Net 3 – Oly Crossing
Favourite place to ski: Anywhere as long as there is snow and it's free.
Lake Louise Memory: Manny’s DH podium in 06 and Jan’s topping of the DH podium in 07.

CHEF DU JOUR - BRIAN

BRIAN BAKEWELL
Crew Chief - Ladies
aka: Bake
Hometown: Whitehorse, YT
Residence: Wainwright, AB
Ski Club: Hardisty Ski Club (likely the smallest area of anyone here!)
Race Time Hangout: Upper Wiwaxy
Favourite Place to Ski: Panorama, BC
Lake Louise Memory: My first day. I was completely green, knew nobody, knew nothing, but by the end of it I knew I was going to keep coming back.

CHEF DU JOUR - LLOYD

LLOYD STEEVES
Assistant Chief of Course - Men
Crew Chief - Ladies
aka: Pink Lloyd
Hometown: La Grande Prairie, AB
Residence: Kimberly, BC
Ski Club: NiteHawk – Grande Prairie, AB
Race Time Hangout: Platter Base
Favourtie Place to Ski: Kimberley with The Stoke close behind
Lake Louise Memory: The twenty minute ride slowly up The Oly where I met Donna

CHEF DU JOUR - GREG

GREG ROBERTS
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: Handsome Greg
Hometown: Montreal, QC
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Banff Alpine Racers
Race Time Hangout: Net 1 or Slip Crew
Favourtie Place to Ski: Lake Louise
Lake Louise Memory: Coming this season: Canadians on the podium

CHEF DU JOUR - LAMBERT

JOHN LAMBERT
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: JL, C’est Lambért!
Hometown: West Vancouver, BC
Residence: Etobicoke, ON
Ski Club: Alpine Ski Club - Collingwood ON
Race time hangout: Tickety Chutes
Favourite Place to Ski: Lake Louise/Whistler (very PC answers)
Lake Louise Memory: Making the 11:30 start after 60cm dump (2003) and the 11:30 start from the alternate after a 10:38 call (2008)

VOLLEY WARM-UP

Mark Thursday, October 29th on your calendar for the 2009 Winterstart Kickoff Party at Willow Park Wines and Spirits, 10801 Bonaventure Drive SE, Calgary.

The evening begins at 5pm and runs until 8. Come on out and enjoy and evening of camaraderie, renew acquaintances and meet some new ones all while enjoying some great food and wine. RSVP your attendance to worldcupws@gmail.com .

Thanks to Peggy Perry and her staff for their continuing support of The Sled Dogs and hosting this event again this year.

CHEF DU JOUR - BORIS

BRUCE DUFF
Crew Chief - Ladies
Aka: BORIS, Bee-duff
Hometown: Vancouver BC
Residence: Coquitlam BC
Ski Club: Grouse Tyee
Race time hangout: Lone Pine
Favourite Place to Ski: Whistler
Lake Louise Memory: My first day of ski racing at -40C! (2007)

CHEF DU JOUR - MIKE

MICHAEL KIRKER

Chief of Course – Men’s
aka: Kirker

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Residence: Calgary, Alberta
Ski Club: Team Panorama, Sled Dog Alpine
Race time hangout: Top Of Tickety (might have to fight Mac)
Favourite Place to Ski: Revelstoke, BC
Lake Louise Memory: Hudec winning at the Lake!

BOOTS, SKIS AND MULCH

BANFF MOUNTAIN WEAR & TECNICA BOOTS

Today, Thursday October 15th, is last day to place your order for the TECNICA Agent AT Touring boot at $425 plus GST. Please call Banff Mountain Wear at 403.760.7601 to get your boots. Thanks again to Pat for his support of The Sled Dogs!

SKIS & STUFF

Part II of The Banff Alpine Racers Ski Swap takes place Saturday in Banff at the Mount Norquay Day Lodge. Consignment begins Friday evening and runs through the next morning before the doors open for sales in the afternoon.

Sale: October 17th, 2 pm to 9 pm; Early Bird : 1 pm to 2 pm ***
Consignment: Friday 5 to 9; Saturday 9 to Noon

*** Early Bird tickets are available during Consignment. Tickets are limited to 100 per day at cost of $10 per person and allow you in the door 1 hour before the public sale begins.

TREE PARTY

Next Saturday, October 24th, a pack of Dogs is gathering in the Inglewood district of Calgary to harvest this year's suppy of spruce boughs and mulch and we need you help. Please RSVP to thesleddogs@telus.net if you are available. An email broadcast with exact rendezvous time and location is forthcoming - things will kick off at 9. Thanks for you help on this project - many hands make light work.

CHEF DU JOUR - MAC

DARRELL MACLACHLAN

Chief of Race - Men

Aka: Mac, Chief Sled Dog

Hometown: Calgary, AB

Residence: Calgary, AB

Ski Club: Sunshine, Sled Dog Alpine

Race time hangout: Tickety

Favourite Place to Ski: Castle Mountain, AB

Lake Louise Memory: Sunrise on Top of the World, Sunset on Temple

CHEF DU JOUR - HENRY

HENRY HAIDUK
Crew Chief - Ladies
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Residence: Clarksburg, ON
Ski Club: Toronto Ski Club
Race time hangout: Start Area
Favourite Place to Ski: Red Mtn; the back bowls @ Blue a close 2nd!
Lake Louise Memory: Towing two "Willie Bags" to the summit and knocking Mike on his butt

VANOC UNIFORMS - HERE THEY ARE!

The Official Games Volunteer Uniform were unveiled this afternoon with blue serving as the dominant colour. The jacket is a Sea to Sky inspired "Wave" while the pants are navy.

Both jacket and pant offer a waterproof, seam-sealed design with the top featuring fingertip-length sleeves, high collar, full hood, silver detailing and a drop tail back for added protection. The "mountain pants" have reinforced knees and ankles and also a breathable lining. Both pieces are branded with Vancouver 2010 markings.


The kit is comprised of 6 pieces in all, with toque, two inner layer shirts and a vest, all in Wave, rounding out the ensemble. Volleys can supplement their uniform with gloves, footwear (?) and a coordinating backpack being offered for purchase.


http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/news/news-releases/-/168928/32566/18r6k14/vancouver-2010-reveals-stylish.html

THE HERMINATOR

Austrian legend Hermann Maier announced his retirement from competitive skiing today ending one of the most brilliant careers alpine skiing has ever seen.

Maier, winner of four overall World Cup Globes, two Olympic Gold Medals, one Silver, one Bronze and three World Championship titles was dominant at Lake Louise since the Men returned in 1999.

Super G Champion: 1999, 2000, 2003, 2008

In sixteen starts Hermann won four Super G crowns, finished on the podium seven times and found the Top 10 an amazing eleven times.

The announcement comes just a week after Maier, recovering from off-season knee surgery, had declared that he would compete again at Lake Louise this fall.

Check out his last run at the Lake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgKn5Gt_HQ8

CHEF DU JOUR - MARIO

Enjoy this classic clip celebrating the greatest turkey event of all time.

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1499909/5115198

By the way, today's Chief is no turkey either!

MARIO PEHAR
Zone Coordinator: Pitches - Ladies
Aka: Super Mario
Hometown: Zagreb, Croatia
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Sunshine
Race time hangout: Top of Fallaway – Slip Control
Favourite Place to Ski: Fernie
Lake Louise Memory: "Chopper" ordering a last minute helicopter fly over at Gunbarrell.

Happy Thanksgiving!

BOOTS, GEAR AND VANOC

With Thanksgiving upon us the ski season kicks into first gear this weekend in the Bow Valley.

October 3rd - Lake Louise Mountain Resort

SKIS & STUFF

The Banff Alpine Racers Ski Swap takes place Saturday in Canmore at the old SAAN store on Main. Consignment begins Friday evening and runs through the next morning before the doors open for sales in the afternoon.

The Swap is a great place to pick up a pair of race boards for slipping around the race track, to find some great deals on clothing and equipment for your kids as well as a place to move some of that surplus gear that maybe filling up your garage.

CANMORE SKI SWAP – 710 Main Street

Sale: October 10th, 2 pm to 9 pm

Early Bird Sale: 1 pm to 2 pm ***

Consignment: Friday 5 to 9; Saturday 9 to Noon

*** Early Bird tickets are available Saturday morning during Consignment. Tickets are limited to 100 per day at cost of $10 per person and allow you in the door 1 hour before the public sale begins.

Remember if you cannot make it this weekend, Banff Alpine does it all over again next Saturday at Mount Norquay.

TECNICA BOOTS @ BANFF MOUNTAIN WEAR

If you are out and about in the Bow Valley this weekend don’t forget the great boot offer from our friends at BANFF MOUNTAIN WEAR.

Thursday October 15th is the deadline to place your order for the TECNICA Agent AT Touring boot at $425 plus GST.

Located in The Cascade Plaza, on Wolf Street just east of Bear Street, the store is open 7 days a week for your convenience. If you would like to learn more about the boot or book a fitting appoitnment please call 403.760.7601.

Thanks to Pat Gillespie, the man at BANFF MOUNTAIN WEAR, for his support of The Sled Dogs!

VANOC

There has been a great amount of confusion around the arrival process at The Games in February. Here is the skinny, once and for all.

The day that you have indicated as your first available will be spent in training. Your accommodation will be available to you the night before. Thus if you designated February 6th as your first day, your room awaits the 5th. Training occurs on the 6th as noted followed by your first day on skis, in this example, February 7th.

FACEBOOK

The Sled Dogs are now on Facebook. Looking for a place to post pictures, swap stories or find someone to car pool with from your hometown or the Calgary Airport? Get yourself a Facebook account and the find the Sled Dog Alpine Club today.

CHEF DU JOUR - DOUGLAS

DOUG CAMPBELL
Versatile!
Assistant Chief of Course - Men
Zone Coordinator: Wiwaxy – Ladies
Aka: Soup, Dougie Fresh
Hometown: Sault Ste Marie, ON
Residence: Fuller, ON
Ski Club: Devil’s Glen - Bethany, ON
Race time hangout: Coaches Corner
Favourite Place to Ski: Devil’s Glen, ON (all 95m)Lake Louise Memory: "All radios, a general announcement: there’s a Freakout on Fallaway and it’s happening now!"

CHEF DU JOUR - COLIN

COLIN MACDONALD

Zone Coordinator: Alpine - Ladies
Aka: Mac-Dee
Hometown: Etobicoke, ON
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Centennial Park - Etobicoke, ON
Race time hangout: Sunset Flats - Slip Control
Favourite Place to Ski: Castle Mountain
Lake Louise Memory: Sunrise in the Alpine

CHEF DU JOUR - DOCTOR J

JEREMY LUNTLEY
Hill Coordinator - Ladies
Aka: Jerry, Doctor J
Hometown: Nottingham England
Residence: Canmore, AB
Ski Club: Sunshine Ski Club
Race time hangout: Itinerant
Favourite Place to Ski: Val d'Isere/ Tignes
Lake Louise Memory: I say cheering on Chemmy and the UK Ski Team. My wife tells me it was tripping up outside the warm up tent, falling through the door and knocking myself out cold on the heater. All in front of the medical crew!

CHEF DU JOUR - START REF SUE

Welcome to the first signs of winter. A weekend of cool temperature left Calgary covered in snow Sunday morning and the mountains with a decent blanket too. Checkout the Louise Webcam link at left for the latest from the Lake.


SUE SCHWARTZ
Start Referee - Ladies
Crew Chief - Men
Aka: Suz
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Residence: Hood River, OR
Ski Club: Meadows Ski Team - Mount Hood, OR
Race time hangout: Start
Favourite Place to Ski: Cortina, Italy/Steamboat Springs, CO
Lake Louise Memory: Every day with the crew!

CHEF DU JOUR - THE WOLFMAN

As the morning light comes to Calgary what was a glorious Fall has left the Foothills of the Rockies and Mother Nature is about to kick down the door - literally. A heavy snowfall warning has been issued for the mountain regions from Jasper to Kananaskis, upawards of 20 cm! Welcome to Winter Alberta!


ANDY WOLFF
Assistant Chief of Course – Ladies
Air Fence/Paint Boss - Men
Aka: Wolffy, Wolfman
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Residence: Ottawa, ON
Ski Club: Vorlage Racing Club, Wakefield, QC
Race time hangout: Coaches, beside Jan with a dye pack
Favourite Place to Ski: Silver Star on a sunny day
Lake Louise Memory: Chasing air fence down Fallaway in the dark after a learned friend let go

CHEF DU JOUR - CRAIG'R

CRAIG SMITH
Chief of Course - Ladies
Aka: Craig’r, Smitty
Hometown: Port Credit, ON
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Banff Alpine Racers, Sled Dog Alpine
Race time hangout: DT Cutoff
Favourite Place to Ski: Taynton Bowl, Panorama BC - one hour at a time.
Lake Louise Memory: "Craig! What is this helicopter bullshit?" and Kari saying YES.

OLYMPIC UNIFORMS

Gotcha! You were hoping to see the Volley pieces weren't you?

The Hudson Bay Company's official Olympic clothing line for the 2010 Games was unveiled this afternoon. These pieces are renditions of what Canada's athletes will wear in February, not the actual uniform which will only be available to those wearing the flag. No word yet on when the Volley progam will be announced. Stay tuned!

Check the line out via: http://store.hbc.com/clothing/catapparel-p1.html

CHEF DU JOUR - BREW

Ever wonder who all those guys are with drills? You know the ones with two or three raidos that look like they know what they are doing. Well wonder no more!

Over the next month thesleddogblog will introuduce you to each of them in lead up to the 2009 Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup.

JIM BREWINGTON
Chief of Race - Ladies
aka: Brew
Hometown: Regina, SK
Residence: Calgary, AB
Ski Club: Calgary Alpine Racers/Fortress Ski Team
Favourite Place to Ski: Alyeska, Alaska
Race Hangout: Timing Flats (helping Otto search for his gear)
Lake Louise Memory: Kelly's 2007 Super G Podium. Go Canada Go!