From Between the Fences - Feb/March 2009


Canadian National Junior (J1) Championships

The FIS Web site lists the following schedule for the J1 Nationals in Feb/March 2009:  

Date Discipline Gender
Feb 28 Giant Slalom L
Mar 1 Giant Slalom M
Mar 2 Super G M
Mar 2 Super Combined L
Mar 2 Super G L
Mar 3 Super Combined M
Mar 3 Super G M
Mar 3 Super G L
Mar 4 Slalom M
Mar 4 Slalom L

Clearly, March 2nd and March 3rd are going to be busy days for race officials and for course crew.  Course preparation for volunteer course crew commences Feb 26.  This schedule is in question and is subject to change


Update from John Benbow, Chief of Course

This event is a 7 day commitment from Feb. 26 through to March 4, 2009.

Due to severe budget constraints, there are a limited number of positions available for course crew.  We must limit ourselves to 200 volunteers, all in, so sign up quickly for your position.  We are going to use smaller crews but more of them to help train more people in lead roles as we will need many more chiefs and assistants for the Olympic Winter Games in 2010.

We are doing our best to use this race as another trial run on the Men’s Olympic courses for Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom and Super Combined, but with both genders on the Dave Murray track. The top of the Dave Murray down to Bear Cub will be the training area with the Super G start at the top of the Toilet Bowl. We will work our way down the track for the Giant Slalom and Slalom, using the various Olympic start positions. 

The perks this year will be Tim Hortens coffee and muffins in the morning, bag lunches, a nice take home back pack and the daily (after work completes) legendary Weasel Beer Tent.   We're on a shoestring budget, but let's make the most of this last opportunity to work together prior to next year's "party".

Vanoc will be installing the required “A” nets as well as a lot of the “B” nets with their net crews as the National Mens team wants to train on the course during the week prior to the J-1 Nationals. They are also supplying all equipment as well as the required cat time and snow making. I will be working with Rod MacLeod regarding this process. 

I look forward to working with you all again this year in preparation to the 2010 Olympic games.

Sincerely John “Bamboo” Benbow

Chief of Course