By Gerhard Gross, Transworld Snowboarding

After winning the Dew Tour slopestyle and taking second at both X Games and the Burton European Open, Jamie Anderson of Meyers wrapped up the last major competition of the season with a first at the Burton US Open in Vail today.

But while Spencer O’Brien slid around a backside 900 on her final run, the only landed 900 for the women, and Anna Gasser put down both a Cab 720 frontside grab and a frontside 720 mute in her first two runs, it wasn’t enough to unseat Anderson who was the only rider to cut around to the side of the first jump feature to hit the quarterpipe transition takeoff. Even though she didn’t get a grab on her backside 540 on that feature, it was a risky move that scored well with the judges.

Anderson’s full first run included a ridiculously stylish Cab 270 to tailside, switch boardslide to regular, and boardslide 270 on the rails. Rolling into the first jump feature, Anderson worked the tricky takeoff on the quarterpipe transition to get a backside 540, before landing a Cab 720 nose grab off the second jump and finishing with a massive switch backside 540. The run earned her a 90.95, which would hold up for the rest of the event. The win marks the fourth Burton US Open slopestyle title Anderson has claimed.

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The the fifth annual Pain McShlonkey Classic returns to Squaw Valley on March 14. This action packed on-and-off mountain event serves as a fun tribute to legendary skier Shane McConkey where the winner is crowned fastest snowblader on the planet.

Celebrated for his playful spirit, McConkey was the mastermind behind the original Pain McShlonkey Open that debuted in 2003. The event began as a behind-the-scenes late-night race between competitors at the 1998 Winter X Games and in 2010 the event took on new shape attracting top athletes from around the world.

Hosted by the Shane McConkey Foundation, the event has raised more than $186,000 for local nonprofits.

The event kicks off on Saturday morning as 30 of the World’s top winter athletes take on 30 amateurs in an anything-goes Hot Dog Downhill. Later in the morning, competitors will push their snowblade skills to the limits during the new Backwards Snowblade Slalom.

For the full list of events and to register, go online.

Proceeds from the weekend will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Shane McConkey Eco-Challenge, Tahoe Truckee Unified School District’s environmental education programs and other charities.

By Jeff DeLong, Reno Gazette-Journal

Quagga mussels could survive and reproduce in Lake Tahoe’s waters, particularly in places where a different aquatic invader is already present and where algae is flourishing in shallow waters, a new study suggests.

Research conducted by scientists from University of Nevada, Reno and the Desert Research Institute confirms earlier work that indicates adult quagga mussels can live in Tahoe’s water and that successful reproduction can occur and juvenile mussels survive to repeat the cycle as adults.

Experts had hoped low calcium levels in the landmark alpine lake might help protect Tahoe from major infestations of the type in Southern Nevada’s Lake Mead and other water bodies around the country. It appears that’s not the case.

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Nine members of the Tahoe Cross Country competition team will compete March 9-15 at Junior Nationals at Auburn Ski Club.

This is the first time that any TXC athlete will compete. Nine athletes were named to the Far West Junior National Team. To get where they are today, these young athletes put in hundreds of hours rollerskiing, running, hiking and skiing over the last year.

Cam Goldstone has made some extraordinary improvements over the course of the year. In the last handful of weeks he has really come into his own. His top end speed is extraordinary, and his ability to push through trying conditions is elite. He’s one of a very select few athletes at JNs who will be hoping for slow challenging conditions — where the mentally strong are separated from the rest.

Cooper Anderson is the youngest member of TXC going to Junior Nationals. This typically would be irrelevant, but the selection procedures for qualifying as a “U14” to race as a “U16” are much more difficult. Typically athletes must finish within 10 percent of the “standard time,” but Cooper, as a younger athlete, had to finish within 1 percent. He met and exceeded that challenge several times. As for Cooper the skier, he knows how to “hop V1” better than anyone in the region.

JC Schoonmaker is, in many ways, the team leader. Despite being in ninth grade, he carries himself professionally, and he is always looking out for his teammates. Turns out he’s a pretty fast ski racer, too. This year he is just starting to figure out exactly how fast he can be. JC’s “V2” is just about as efficient as it comes.

Max Roske is emblematic of the team. He is relatively new to ski racing, and getting faster at a terrifying rate. He also knows how to persevere. On his first day rollerskiing he had a scary crash. Most people would be done at that point, but the next week he was back – and it’s paid off.

Nate Cutler has a serious need for speed. His top gear is as good as anyone’s. Cutler knows how fast he wants to be and is piecing together exactly what he needs to do to get there. He knows better than just about anyone his age when it’s time to rest and when it’s time to press.

Quinn Lehmkuhl is best explained by the term “Quiet Fire.” She isn’t smack-talking her competitors, she doesn’t finish races or intervals heaving and collapsing to make a scene. She simply takes care of business.

Sofia Sanchez has the will and endurance of anyone, but to just talk about her motor is to ignore her incredible technique improvements over the year. People should fear her efficiency.

Tara Gallant is a no-nonsense athlete who also enjoys a good game of blob-tag. Her V1 is top notch, and her focus and drive are world class. Watching her in an interval session is like watching a professional, she knows exactly what needs to be accomplished and she does it.

Ursula Volz is a beautiful skier. Whether it’s her ability to glide, apply power, change gears, increase the tempo, or ski smoothly, she really has very few weaknesses. Unfortunately much of her season has been derailed by sickness, and yet she was still able to qualify for JNs – that’s a testament to the kind of athlete that she is.

— Provided to Lake Tahoe News

By Kathryn Reed

Cycling enthusiasts aren’t waiting for South Lake Tahoe officials to figure out how and when to put in a bike park at Bijou Community Park. The mound of dirt sitting there is already a feature of sorts. But that’s not exactly why it’s there.

The 400-cubic-yards of dirt came from the Harrison Avenue project. It will be moved – possibly this summer – to another location in the park to construct what will be a 5-acre bike park with two pump tracks and a BMX track in the center.

Bike parks attract all ages and ability levels. For those new to the sport or not quite ready for some of the gnarly trails the banks and features at the park are a way to speed up the learning process. They are also where cyclists might end their day after riding the trails.

These types of parks are growing in popularity and help lure tourists to an area. Mountain bikers, like other athletes, are willing to spend good money on their sport.

Outdoor Foundation did a study in 2010 that all cyclists annually contribute $133 billion to the U.S. economy. Of that, $46.9 billion is spent on expenses related to cycling trips.

Bijou Bike Park may be built this year. Rendering/Design Workshop

It is possible South Lake Tahoe will have such a park by the end of the summer.

The bike park has been talked about since 2011. The nonprofit Bijou Bike Park Association was formed to be the main force behind the project. The group has come up with a design, more than half of the needed money to build it, a professional builder and a ton of enthusiasm.

Twenty-two people spoke at the March 3 City Council meeting – all in favor of the park. About that many also wrote letters of support.

However, a couple hiccups have arisen that are preventing the park from being a done deal.

Originally, BBPA and the city were going to enter a lease agreement. Because of the cost of liability insurance and needing to acquire coverage per Tahoe Regional Planning Agency rules, it is now going to be a city run bike park with BBPA providing assistance with construction and maintenance.

TRPA claims the city is putting in 32,000 square feet of new coverage – even though it’s dirt. Coverage regulations are something the bi-state regulatory agency came up with as a way to deal with erosion issues. The city could borrow from its bank of coverage or come up with the more than $60,000 for the mitigation fee – which is paid to TRPA. Staff is leaning toward the latter so the banked coverage could be used for a commercial project such as renovating the recreation center.

It’s also possible the coverage the school district is using for the current BMX track could be transferred to the city.

Taking out a permit will trigger the immediate requirement to bring the restrooms up to the Americans with Disability Act specifications. While this was on the city’s to-do list, it wasn’t slated for this construction season. That cost is estimated at $25,000.

At Tuesday’s meeting the city was told in addition to the $100,000 already pledged to the bike park, another $86,241 is needed in cash and about $35,000 in in-kind services that would include staff time for planning and moving the dirt. The total project is estimated to be $511,000.

Some trees will need to be removed. Irrigation will be put in to dampen the course so dust is not an issue. An electrical conduit will be established so in the future lights could be installed. Bleachers are possible down the road. (The disc golf area will not be affected.)

BBPA has been talking with Lake Tahoe Community College to possibly use its parking lots when events are staged at the park.

The BMX track pays LTUSD 20 percent of gross revenues, so some sort of contract would be devised between that group and the city. Last year the BMX group hosted an event that brought 300 competitors to the area. This year a different event is expected to draw 500 to 600 riders.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District wants to use its land where the current BMX track is for a ball field at South Tahoe Middle School so that facility needs to move. The new BMX track would be 900 feet; 100 feet longer than the current one.

Still to be worked out are the legal issues regarding volunteers working on city property and liability issues for the city if someone is hurt. Garrett Villanueva, trails specialist with the U.S. Forest Service, explained to the council how the feds have an arrangement so volunteers are covered under their workers’ comp insurance.

Councilmembers Austin Sass and Tom Davis (who was absent because of an illness) make up the city’s recreation implementation subcommittee. They will meet next week with BBPA and city recreation commission members to iron out some details, while the city attorney works on legal ramifications.

—–

Notes:

• Bijou Bike Park Association has a website with information, a way for people to make donations and to get involved.

Washoe Lake State Park is offering three guided hikes in March, including a full moon hike through the sand dunes and along the beach, a Dune Trek/Beach Stroll, and a hike to the overlook on the Deadman’s Creek trail.

Registration is required for the full moon hike only.

Participants will learn about the natural and cultural history of the park and surrounding area.

March 5, 7-8pm, full moon hike: This is an easy, one-mile roundtrip walk beside the sand dunes and along the beach at Washoe Lake. Call 775.687.4319 or -mail washoelake@hdis​s.net to make reservations. Dogs are not allowed.

Meet at the Overflow parking lot at 4855 Eastlake Blvd. From the main (south) entrance to the park, turn left and it’s the first parking lot on the right.

Guided hikes are included with the park’s entrance fee of $7/vehicle. Nevada residents receive a $2 discount.

March 14, 10am-noon, dune trek hike: This is a moderate, 2.5-mile, roundtrip hike through the sand dunes on the south east side of Washoe Lake. Bring good walking shoes, as the trail may be sandy, muddy, or snow-covered. The history of the park and the Washoe Valley will be talked about.

Meet at the equestrian area in the main (south) part of the park. After passing the fee booth, turn right, pass the campground, and park near the group pavilion.

March 22, 1-2:30pm, Deadman’s Creek hike: This is a moderate, one-mile, round-trip hike to the overlook on the Deadman’s Creek trail. There is a short, steep climb to the top, where there will be views of Washoe Lake and the Washoe Valley. Learn some history about the park and the Washoe Valley on this hike.

Meet at the equestrian area.

By USSA

The weather finally lifted in Bansko, after a weekend of delays and cancellations due to heavy fog. In a sun-drenched, technically set super G, Lindsey Vonn grabbed third place on March 2. Podium regulars Anna Fenninger of Austria and Tina Maze of Slovenia went one-two —identical results to Sunday’s alpine combined.

After a tough alpine combined for skiers on Sunday, the Italian coach set a demanding super G on Monday. The race, rescheduled from Friday’s cancellation, tripped up many speed skiers, but the best were able to pull out brilliant runs on the tricky track. The surface, which was not good during Sunday’s race, hardened up overnight — perfect for a super G.

Running 20, Vonn was a bit unstable on top — almost horizontal on the snow at one point in the top section — but worked to close the half-second gap in the middle of the course. She found that extra gear and skied into third place, 0.28 off of Fenninger’s winning run.

“I’m happy with my run today,” said Vonn. “I made some mistakes on the top part, but I skied well on the bottom and made up some time so I’m really happy.”

Fenninger absolutely tore up the course. She even lost the grip on her pole on top and put on a show of high-speed multitasking. It didn’t seem to matter, as she skied down in front of Tina Maze by 0.16, which she didn’t lose for the rest of the race. This win put her in the lead of the World Cup super G standings, taking it from Vonn.

“Anna Fenninger is obviously skiing very well, but Garmisch is a hill I know very well,” warns Vonn, who wants the super G title. “I just have to have another good race, and hopefully at the finals as well.”

Vonn had a tough day in Sunday’s alpine combined, fighting fog and inconsistent snow to a 24th finish in the super G. She did not start the slalom. “After a bad day comes a good day,” laughed Vonn.

Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley), Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain) and Laurenne Ross (Bend, Ore) all skied into the points at Bankso. Mancuso grabbed 16 place, Cook was 21 and Ross 22.

Rounding out the American women, Alice McKennis (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) was 47 and Abby Ghent (Eagle, Colo.) was 48. Jackie Wiles did not finish.

Whittell High School’s boys basketball team was not able to put together consecutive state championships.

The Warriors, seeded second going into last weekend’s championships in Las Vegas, lost to Spring Mountain 69-54 on Feb. 27. Spring Mountain went on to be crowned state champions.

WHS finished the regular season with a 15-1 record.

Whittell should be able to return a strong team next season with only four members graduating.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report

By USSA

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — Austria’s Marcel Hirscher took revenge for his World Championship loss, posting a 1.99 second first run before charging to a 3.28 second win in an Audi FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Ted Ligety (Park City) was fourth.

Ligety was eighth after first run, on a run he descibed as like “skiing on one of those kiddy ball rooms where you jump in the pit.” The course was tough in the morning, with guys struggling to find speed out of the snow. But Hirscher was able to figure it out, and the normally competitive Ligety did nothing but praise Hirscher’s skiing.

“That was impressive,” he said. “He was able to put on a massive margin on us and that second run he skied awesome. Impressive piece of skiing, that’s for sure.”

Ligety’s second run moved him to first place for a good number of racers, and he sat in third until Hirscher bumped him off the podium. Hometown boy Felix Neureuther was second and Benni Raich of Austria was third, in his first World Cup podium in a year.

Although sick, Tim Jitloff (Reno) pulled out the second fastest GS run second run to move into 10. Tommy Ford (Bend, Ore.) had a phenomenal first run — finishing in 13 — and was still in the points after a small bobble second run put him in 23rd.

The men now get ready for Kvitfjell, Norway for a downhill and super G. Two more World Cup giant slaloms remain, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, before the men head to the World Cup Finals in Meribel, France.

As part of North Lake Tahoe’s SnowFest, the 11th annual I-Did-A-Run returns to Tahoe Donner on March 8 at the Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area no matter the weather.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes will compete in this timed dog pull race. The event pits dog against dog in a race against the clock, pulling sleds over a snow-covered course. Prizes are awarded to the speediest finishers among four weight divisions.

Registration takes place at noon the same day and the race starts promptly at 1pm. Entry per dog is $20 and includes a goody bag.

For complete event details, including dog weight divisions and all available prizes, go online .