A18 THE FREE PRESS SPORTS FEBRUARY 18, 2001 A family that flies together... Freestyling is second-nature for Wong siblings There must be a hint of bird somewhere in the history of the Wong family. How else could you explain the knack for aerial acrobatics displayed by siblings Justin, Chris and Merissa Wong other than to say it’s something that runs in the family? This freestyle skiing dynasty began with eldest son Chris who joined after graduating from Nancy Greene alpine skiing. Now 19-years-old and a member of the BC Freestyle Ski Team, Chris was the first to join Prince George’s Central Interior Freestyle Club. The trail he blazed would then be followed by second-youngest, 17-year-old Justin and then the youngest by three more years, his sister Merissa. “My parents put all of us into skiing when we were young,” says Justin. “And we just stuck with it. I liked the jumps and things my brother was doing. It looked really fun.” “And I just followed Freestyle skiing isn’t all competition — Merissa and Justin practice four days a week at Hart Highlands Ski Hill. Doug Brown/Free Press Justin and Chris,” adds Merissa. “I’ve always been doing what they were doing.” It also gives the three siblings easy access to help with learning that next maneuver, like the tripletwisters and 360s the freestylers do. It also gives Justin and Merissa some- thing to shoot for, seeing their next oldest brother move up to senior international competition. “It’s really great because you’re all going to the same events and competitions. You can have the whole family together for the same sport,” says their mother, Loraine. Although, she adds, after Chris joined the senior team this season, not all the races are complete family affairs. “When we were in Vernon last weekend he was competing in Quebec." Although Chris has moved on from the Prince George club to train with Team BC, Merissa and Justin are racking up medals on the provincial circuit. Justin has taken bronze and gold in juniors and Merissa won a gold and a silver at the two recent zone competitions at Silverstar in Vernon. The high placings earned them both a chance to go to the Canadian Junior National Championships, March 9 to 11 in Corner-brook, Newfoundland. It’s the third junior national for Justin and the second for Merissa, but the first time either has travelled so far for a meet. Although Merissa is certain she wants to follow Chris and try out for Team BC when she turns 19, Justin is less positive about where his skiing will take him. “I haven’t really made up my mind yet about school and pall that,” he says. “My goals for this season were just to make the junior nationals and improve my technique.” Good Call! TALKING YELLOW PAGES J71564-2929 Your FREE 24 hour Information Source! Presented in association with The Prince George Free Press • Shoppers Guide • Financial • Soaps • Crimestoppers • Homeowners Guide • Horoscopes • Information Guides • Entertainment • Sports • Health & Fitness • Travel & Weather • Computer Guide • Real Estate • Consumer Tips • Lotto Crystal Clear Quality! 'Hn MR RRSP mOffice SpeeDee Printers ~plUS Office Plus Ford, Now and Forever Prince George Motors Ltd. FREE PRESS PGflf NT MOTORS Tickets available at: Northern Trout Fitters Fly Shop (Ice Fishing Headquarters) Phone (250) 562-3597 - Fax 562-3557 Northern Hardware, Northland Sports, Bob’s Sports, Timberline, E & I Sport Protect your investment with AUTOPRO! Your Collision Repair Specialist! Oave Boivin, Co-Owner Largest Network t»f Automotive Professionals Ask about out Instant Credit Plan, our Protection Deductible Plan and our National Warranty. flUIDPPO PROTECTION coTi'5'0" Special D’s Collision 558 4th Avenue • 612-3939 Fax: 612-3936