B4 THE FREE PRESS SPORTS SEPTEMBER 12, 1999 Fairbaim family is wheely close By JUD LEWIS MAHON Free Press staff writer My dad rides BMX. That’s what Ainslie and Tom Fairbairn would say when asked what their dad, Gord, does. They would probably add that their dad would leave yours in the dust. “I went out one day and there was a couple of dads racing. I said to myself, ‘1 can do that too,”’ Gord laughs. The Fairbairn family recently took part in the Western Canadian Nationals and the Canadian Championship BMX races held in St. Albert, Alberta. Ainslie snagged two first place medals in 16-expert girls category and her brother Tom, 14, took fifth and seventh. Gord captured second in both competitions for the 40-44 Cruiser category. The siblings started racing in 1990 and a couple of years later their dad took an interest. Until then he had always played baseball, but a chance to have a group hobby made him put away the glove and get out the spokes. “It was a family thing,” he says. “Something to do at the same time. To get to do things with the kids.” The mean age of BMX racers has swung dramatically over the past few years with more grown-ups taking to pedaling the dusty hills. According to Gord more and more moms and dads are getting involved and it makes for good competition. “When 1 first started we would only see three or five older guys out,” says Gord. “Now we’ll get eleven or twelve in a race. And some of them get pretty competitive.” Through the broken bones and cuts stands mom, Susie Fairbairn. She doesn’t race but volunteers herself full time to the local BMX club. “I’m sort of in it now,” she quips. “There’s no getting out of it.” Other local racers to take places in the Western and Canadian Championships were Fern Thibault who won second and first in the 35-39 Cruiser category. Ward Pateman (11 boys) took 3rd and 1st. Shaun Burleigh (14 boys) 4th and 5th. Jamie Landolt (15 boys) 7th and 5th. Josh Buhler and Jayme Marsolais both took sixth in their Western categories. Mitchell Thibault (8 boys) captured 5th and 8th. Soccer Cycling TALKING YELLOW PAGES Your Free 24 Hour Information Source A564^2929 Call 564 2929 Press the 4 digit code HOTLINE SPORTS SCORES & RESULTS National Sports Report.......................3050 NHL Report...................................3051 NBA Report...................................3053 NFL Report...................................3054 Major League Baseball........................3055 NCAA Top 20 Report...........................3056 Boxing Report................................3036 Golf Report..................................3001 Tennis Report................................3002 Sports Transactions..........................3037 SCHEDULES & STANDINGS Major League Baseball........................3038 NFL..........................................3039 NHL..........................................3040 NBA..........................................3041 INJURY REPORTS NHL..........................................3031 NBA..........................................3032 Major League Baseball........................3033 NFL..........................................3034 PICKS & SPREADS NFL..........................................3042 Major League Baseball........................3044 NBA..........................................3045 NHL..........................................3046 am.aie*’' / nwiiuiim |COMMUNICATIONS INC. THE PRINCE CEORCE FREE PRESS Curling deliveries, in turns, out turns & proper release. - Sweeping fundamentals, when to & when not to sweep ■ Basic Curling Strategies Class #1 Monday 13 Sept Session #1 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday 16 Sept Session #2 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Class #2 Monday 13 Sept Session #1 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Thursday 16 Sept Session #2 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Class #3 Saturday 18 Sept Session #1 8:00 AM -10:00 AM Sunday 19 Sept Session #2 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Class #4 Saturday 18 Sept Session #1 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM Sunday 19 Sept Session #2 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Curling brooms & sliders trill be supplied, you require: • Stretchy pants (sweats etc, no jeans) • Clean shoes or curling shoes (you must carry the shoes to the Club, not wear them) • Warm jacket, sweat shirt & gloves Prince George Golf & Curling Club (Corner of Hwy 07 & Hwy 16) For more ir\forvnation: 563-0357 Olympia Cycle & Ski Olympia Cycle & Shi !«IS f> ojduiiCio !HS O »l**3 otdutSio on now @ Olympia