North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus and Chamber of Commerce recently secured the Sunchaser Challenge, a multi-discipline adventure challenge set for May 22 at Northstar-at-Tahoe in Truckee.

“Having 1,000 competitors descend on North Lake Tahoe for three days translates into a potential $2 million in economic impact for the area,” Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association said in a press release. “That is absolutely great news, especially given the time of the year that this event is scheduled to be held.”

The Sunchaser Challenge is a sporting event from sunrise to sunset that features orienteering, running, mountain biking, road biking and kayaking.

It will be in four time zones across the United States May 22, including Lake Saranac in New York, Lake Geneva in Wisconsin and Lake Havasu in Arizona, in addition to the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, as part of Endangered Species Day.

According to race officials, approximately 1,000 competitors are expected to participate at each of the four venues.

In partnership with the Endangered Species Coalition, Wild Ones is launching these unique adventure challenges across the country to encourage people to get closer to nature by exploring the parks and countryside in their backyards, as well as aim to put the plight of some of the world’s rarest animals in the minds of thousands of people across the United States.

By Vancouver Sun

The U.S.’s Hannah Kearney won the gold medal in women’s moguls in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, edging 2006 Olympic champion Jennifer Heil of Canada.

Kearney, the last to compete on the course Saturday night. American Shannon Bahrke won the bronze medal with a total of 25.43.

Shannon Bahrke of Tahoe City takes home a bronze Feb. 13 in moguls. Photo/USOC

It was an incredible rally from four years ago when Kearney didn’t make it out of the qualifying round.

Kearney, who was in top spot after qualifying earlier, scored 26.63 points, with Heil scoring 25.69.

Shannon Bahrke of Tahoe City won the bronze with 25.43 points.

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It’s going to be one of those glorious day on the slopes of Lake Tahoe. With bad weather for the Olympics, you won’t miss much of the televised action by skiing here today. Check out the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal

Nearly three years after California biologists poisoned a popular Sierra fishing lake to rid it of Northern pike, Nevada officials are considering doing the same thing at another lake overrun by the voracious predator.

And if the Nevada Department of Wildlife succeeds in ridding Comins Lake of pike, the small reservoir south of Ely could once again become a trophy trout fishing destination that once enjoyed worldwide fame.

“The fishing was fabulous. It was probably the best I’ve ever seen,” said Bob Marcum, a long-time fisherman and angler supplier in Ely.

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By USSA

Two-time Olympian Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA) is in good spirits following a downhill training crash that left her bruised, but without major injury Thursday.

“It’s not the ideal way to start the Olympics, but I’ve just got to keep fighting,” said Cook. “I hear I’m lucky, so I’ve just got to keep that luck going. We’ll start some therapy, but I’m going to be ready. I’ll be back out there.”

Cook, who raced second, was flying down the upper portion of the Franz’s downhill slope when she caught more air than expected off the top jump, causing her to fly much farther than expected.

“My left leg, above my knee, my quad, my hip flexors, my neck and my back are just really sore, but it’s all muscle,” she said. “I can work through that.”

The first medal event for U.S. women is Sunday with super combined slated to begin at 10am. local time.

Should be a good day to be on the slopes before the holiday weekend. Here is the ski report from Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe.

By USSA

WHISTLER, British Columbia — Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA) was released early Thursday afternoon from the Whistler Polyclinic following a crash in the first women’s downhill training prior to Sunday’s super combined medal event.

“Stacey has been released from the Whistler Olympic Village Polyclinic and her prognosis is good,” said U.S. Olympic Team Chief Medical Officer Jim Moeller. “She’s undergone a complete evaluation by our medical team in Whistler and has received diagnostic X-rays and a CT scan, which all came back negative. We expect her to have some pain and stiffness over the next 24 to 48 hours, but provided she does well with treatment, we expect that she’ll make a full recovery. We’ll continue to evaluate her and work with the U.S. Ski Team to try and get her back competing as quickly as possible.”

Cook landed on the back of her skis off the top jump while skiing in good visibility and crashed into the safety fencing. As a standard precaution and part of the normal protocol at Whistler Creekside, she was evacuated from the mountain by helicopter.

The training run had been scheduled for 9:30am but the start was delayed about 30 minutes due to fog and heavy snow. When it cleared around 10am, officials started with Italian Lucia Recchia, who finished. Officials then held for about 20-25 minutes more following Cook’s crash before canceling the race due to heavy snow.

Cook will continue to be evaluated and hasn’t been ruled out for Friday’s training run scheduled to begin at 11am.

Curtis Fong, the Guy from Tahoe, says to wear yellow-bronze or rose tinted goggles today. Here is his ski report.

North Lake Tahoe celebrates its long winter season with SnowFest, a 10-day carnival and one of the region’s most popular annual family celebrations. SnowFest is scheduled for March 5-14 and will be at a variety of venues throughout North Lake Tahoe.

In its 29th year, SnowFest is expected to draw thousands of attendees, with the majority of events free to spectators.

The annual favorites are back, along with expanded special events, including the Opening Night Ceremonies, Laser Show, Torchlight Parade and Fireworks; Mamasake Extreme Food Challenge for those with a strong stomach; 20th Annual Gar Woods Polar Bear Swim in Tahoe’s frigid waters; Tahoe City SnowFest Parade; Sunnyside Luau; the Great Ski Race, an annual cross country adventure; Kings Beach Ice Castle and Lighting Contest; Wacky Winter Human Bowling with snow saucers and inflatable pins; Tahoe City Golf Course’s “Dog Pull”; Joe King Poker Tournament and the 2nd Annual Ta-Hoe Nalu Arctic Standup Paddleboard Race.

For more information about SnowFest and a complete list of events, visit www.tahoesnowfestival.com.

By Andy Boogaard, Fresno Bee

Jim McCall of Firebaugh and Tom Orlich of Clovis West are being recognized by their schools after each boys basketball coach reached a career milestone.

McCall coached his 900th game Friday night as Firebaugh remained unbeaten in the West Sierra League by winning 55-40 at home against Dos Palos. Former and present players, school officials, family and friends honored McCall for the milestone before the game.

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