September 22/98 10:11 am - World's Stats, Ontario Hillclimb

Posted by Editor on 09/22/98
 

Stats From the Worlds

We have the following statistics from the Mountain Bike Worlds:

• Number of spectators - 75,000
  
  
• Number of Volunteers - 890
  
  
• Number of media reporting - 300
  
  
• Number of hits to our coverage of the Championships (Thursday evening to Monday evening) - 250,000!

Sad Note

A member of the New Zealand team at the World Mountain Bike Championships was killed Sunday after being struck by two cars. Garreth Edward Varley, 17, a Junior cross-country competitor was walking on the right-hand lane of Highway 360 about 3:30 a.m. when he was struck and killed. He was dead when emergency workers arrived. The police have determined that it was an accident, and no charges have been laid.

We, and other media at the event, were informed of the incident early Sunday morning by the organizers, but were asked to hold off on publishing the news until after the family of the young rider could be informed. Everyone here, and within the event organization, are shocked and saddened by this occurrence, and extend our condolences to the family, friends and team mates of Mr Varley.


Ontario Provincial Hillclimb Championships

The Hillclimb Championships will be held this coming Sunday in Milton. The headquarters for the event will be in Rattlesnake point Conservation Area, a couple of kilometres south of the end of Steeles Avenue. For the first time, the championships will be decided on the total time posted on two hills - a long drag up Steeles Avenue in the morning and a short,sharp sprinters' climb up Rattlesnake in the afternoon.

Registration opens at 9 am and first rider is off at 11.01 am. The afternoon climb commences at 2.00 pm. Those wishing to ride just one stage may do so for time but their times will not count towards the championship. Medals for all categories with two or more entrants will be awarded after the event. For further information, phone Peter McCaffery at (905) 271-8300 or email: peter.mac@sympatico.ca

 

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