November 19/98 10:44 am - Hesjedal Turns Pro, CCSD Gala, OCA AGM

Posted by Editor on 11/19/98
 

Hesjedal Signs

Canada's young mountain bike phenomenom, Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, B.C. has signed with the Gary Fisher pro team for 1999. The `98 World Championship silver medallist will join Olympic champion Paola Pezzo, and will race full time on the World Cup circuit. Congratulations Ryder!


Canadian Airlines Champions of Cycling Awards Gala

November 19, 1998, Victoria, BC - Champions of cycling, whether competitive riders or local lobbyists, will celebrate another exceptional year of cycling in Canada and around the world at the Canadian Airlines Champions of Cycling Awards Gala on Thursday, December 10 in Victoria.

Presented by Tim Hortons, the fundraiser for the Commonwealth Centre for Sport Development National Cycling Centre, the Gala will recognize the many athletes, volunteers and professionals who are helping the popular sport sustain itself from the grassroots to the elite level.

Held during the National Team‚s annual two-week training camp, November 30-December 13, the Canadian Airlines Champions of Cycling Awards Gala is fast becoming a must-attend event for those involved in this dynamic sport, from fans to fanatics, from commuters to those interested in the cycling‚s diverse competitive side.

Athletes scheduled to attend are 1998 World Cup winner Alison Sydor, 1998 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallists Tanya Dubnicoff, Lyne Bessette and Eric Wohlberg among others.

"The Canadian Airlines Champions of Cycling Awards Gala is an opportunity for us to help showcase and promote cycling with our partners - the Canadian Cycling Association, Cycling BC, the Victoria International Bicycle Race Society and the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association," said Roger Skillings, President of the CCSD.

In addition to a silent auction which will impress even the most seasoned bargain hunter, the star-studded evening includes a reception and dinner at the Ocean Pointe Resort, the CCSD National Cycling Centre Awards and entertainment by "Ultra", a local band featuring the vocal talents of Chrissy Southern, a graduate of the hugely successful Women on Wheels Learn to Race Cycling Program.

"Funds raised through the silent auction will stay in Victoria to help build community cycling programs," said Yury Kashirin, Head Coach and Director of the CCSD National Cycling Centre. "An example is the recent weekend riding workshop which was a dream come true for five Vancouver Island school groups who rode with their heroes Alison Sydor, Lesley Tomlinson and Andreas Hestler, and spent an evening learning important tips from them and others during an athlete‚s forum."

In addition, funds will be used to continue the series of sport services offered to carded athletes at the national and provincial level, including CAREERGOAL athlete employment & career management and TOOLKIT, professional & personal development services.

Individual tickets are $60 before November 27, $75 after and tables of 12 are $600. Champions Tables, featuring two national team athletes, are $700. Tickets may be purchased by calling the CCSD at (250) 744-3583. Visa, Master Card and Interac are accepted.

The CCSD National Cycling Centre is the training headquarters for the Canadian National Cycling Team and hub of a series of national, provincial and community programs. In addition to coach Yury Kashirin, the CCSD National Cycling Centre benefits from the talent of Assistant Coach Steve Lund who is responsible for regional and youth programs.

For more information, contact Joanna Fox, CCSD Media Officer @ (250) 595-1955, fax (250) 595-5766, email farfox@mailhost.wlc.com.

Note: The Canadian Cyclist of the Year awards will be presented during the Gala. However, we need your votes to determine who receive these 'People's Choice' awards. Click on the Vote! icon in the upper right hand corner and register your selections right now.


OCA Annual General Meeting

The OCA AGM begins tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm, with the reception at the Royal Connaught Hotel in Hamilton. Particiapants will then take part in sectoral meetings and Recreation Workshops on Saturday, before the actual AGM takes place at 4:30 pm. We hope that all of those Forums posters who have offered up suggestions and ideas will make the time to attend and participate in the AGM.