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Vancouver 2010 venue given top marks despite complaints of being too easy

By: Kim Thompson , THE CANADIAN PRESS

Posted: 03/7/2009 5:00 PM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

WHISTLER, B.C. - The results are in from the IPC Cross-Country and Biathlon World Cup and Canada has made the podium despite complaints the course is too easy.

The international Paralympic events held at the Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley this week were widely seen as a test for both athletes and organizers. Most athletes praised the $120-million venue but not everyone agreed the track was tough enough for international competition.

Canadian Brian McKeever, winner of the men's 10-kilometre race, said the course that will host nordic events at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games could use a few steeper climbs. The Canmore, Alta., native said the course doesn't present the challenge expected of an elite-level circuit. As a four-time medallist at the 2006 Turin Paralympics, McKeever has competed on nearly every course in the world.

"As far as Olympic courses go, I am sure people are going to find this course easy," McKeever said. "But when you compare it to other Paralympic courses, this will be considered a difficult course."

Legally blind, McKeever is continuing his quest to become the first winter-sport athlete to compete at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Two years ago, McKeever finished 24th in an able-bodied men's 15-kilometre classic ski race at the world championships.

John Aalberg, Olympic Park director, said the course was designed with input from IPC, the international governing body for Paralympic ski racing. Aalberg, who skied in the '92 and '94 Olympics, designed the new trail system.

"We have built a venue that challenges the best overall skiers in the world, not just the ones who are good at climbing long steep hills," Aalberg said. "This will be the course in 2010.

"The feedback we've gotten has been very positive."

Aalberg said the Canadian training facility in Canmore is regarded as the most difficult course ever built but that Whistler Olympic Park suits the best overall skiers in the world.

Jody Barber, a Canadian para-nordic skier, said the course is actually deceptively challenging.

Some competitors in the able-bodied cross-country World Cup in mid-January said it was too bad organizers couldn't have built a better course but Barber disagrees.

"You don't get a break anywhere on the course," Barker said. "The uphill climbs are not steep but they are long and you need good technique.

"I couldn't even relax on the corners at the bottom."

Canadian coach Kaspar Wirz said the course is well suited for the Canucks. The track is technical and challenges most athletes he added.

"All the nations are saying the same thing," Wirz said. "This is why we do pre-Paralympic events so we can work out the bugs and learn for the real thing in 2010."

The nordic venue was built to give spectators plenty of action, which makes Yannick Bourseaux of France very happy. Bourseaux placed second in the men's 12.5-kilometre biathlon standing race.

"It's a very large track, which is great for athletes and the spectators get to watch us climbing the first hill," Bourseaux said. "We just need the same kind of weather next year."

The facility didn't exactly get rave reviews from spectators when it hosted Olympic test events for ski jumping and cross-country skiing in January. The facility was overrun with about 10,000 spectators on the final day and many had to be turned away.

Only a handful of spectators were on hand to watch the Paralympic races at the Whistler Olympic Park on Friday.

"We wish we had the problem with crowds at the Paralympic events but maybe we will see more in 2010," said Canadian sit-skier Shawna Maria Whyte.

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