Lots of winners and potential winners to talk about. Start with the Club championships on Saturday. Anyone in GDHL is automatically signed up. Bib pickup is in the South Lodge loft at 8:00. One run of GS at 10:00 on Big John. One run of SL at 1:00 on Comet. Instant gratification with awards on the Base Lodge deck at approximately 3:00. Last chance to salvage your season or confirm your cred!

Interclub Finals

Craigleith went into Saturday's interclub finals at home, but without Jeff Sutherland, Bebe Zoricic, Glenn Blaylock and Trent Winstone, all of whom were big scorers in last year's championship win, and Jesse Shepherd who was merely the fastest racer overall. But the team's depth has been such this year that the team filled in, stepped up and won by 34 points, finishing as champions for the fourth straighth season. In fact, the win was sufficiently decisive that, had the team's top four scorers on the day not shown, the four scores that were dropped under the rules would have been sufficient to keep the team in first place if they'd counted instead. Results are here. As in recent years, the team's victory was founded on big results in the heavily populated men's baby boomer age groups. The return of Allan LaChance after last year's injury resulted in him being the day's high scorer, taking 28 points in winning the 60 to 64 age group, with James Mathers adding 26 for a third place finish. Jeff Craig and Chris Fregren added 26 and 25 for second and third in the 55 to 59 group, Rob Burnes, Craig Shibley and Ian Latimer were second, third and fourth among the 50 to 54's and Greg Cavers (26 points) and Jerry Patten were first and third in the 45 to 49 group.

Margaret Isberg, Tiana Boyman, Kate Veer, Scott McLorie and Paul Atkinson (26 points) all won their age groups. Paul was also the fastest overall, winning a visit for 12 to the Side Launch Brewing Company. One imagines Side Launch will offer a more sophisticated experience than the classic O'Keefe brewery tours that provided wheelbarrows for the convenience of visitors who were no longer OK. George Hayhurst, Mary Riopelle, Daina Dunlop, Paul Woodhouse, Chris Clark, Steve Gailits, Chris Shipton and Pat Brown were the remaining team members.

Thanks to TSB for the following picture of the winners and some young admirers. Someone from the Glen took some on my camera, but the poor quality suggests a lack of experience photographing winners :)

Many were surprised to learn that Jeff Sutherland, who has a reputation of being willing to go to Calabogie to race in a rainstorm, was away for the weekend. It was reported that he was visiting museums in New York, perhaps also getting a pedicure after a long season in ski boots. Suggestions of trading him to Caledon for young talent and future considerations (like never having to drive to Caledon) were, however, quickly dismissed.

The Rest of the Schedule

With the Club championships on Saturday, the final sessions of the nine week program will be wrapped into one big package on Sunday at 9:30. The day features paneled dual SL for both Saturday and Sunday gate training programs and Al's adult tech group. Check the board at the National chair for the location.

Before that, Friday training will feature SL in the morning and GS in the afternoon. Contact Laurel to sign up.

Your coaches look forward to seeing you one last week!

See you at the Club!

James Mathers