Sports
There’s a first Challenge for everyone
PENTICTON - Tara Ivanitz sits at the back of the room with a smile on her face as she watches her boyfriend, Nathan Champness sit on a panel at the front of the room filled with professional triathletes who will be participating in Challenge Penticton this weekend. While her beau is a seasoned athlete, finishing...
Penticton Hospitality Association endorses Challenge Penticton
PENTICTON - The Penticton Hospitality Association has officially endorsed Challenge Penticton for a second year in a row. The association donated $15,000 to the Triathlon Society — funding from the Hotel Room Tax dollars that were recently given back to the association by the city. “To have the support again this year from the PHA...
Your weather forecast for Challenge weekend
PENTICTON - The weather will cool off this weekend — a lucky break for triathletes competing in the second Challenge Penticton race on Sunday. There is a chance of rain Thursday through Saturday, with Sunday being the only day not calling for showers. There is a chance of thunderstorms Thursday, with a high of 25...
Challenge Penticton lines up weekend full of events
PENTICTON - The second Challenge triathlon is this Sunday and there are lots of all-ages events lined up in the days before the race. Events start Thursday, Aug. 21 and run for four days. There will be fun runs, a junior triathlon race, party in the park, free yoga and a charity swim. The whole...
Paddle your heart out this weekend at the Rattlesnake Island SUP Classic
PEACHLAND - If there's nothing like having the sun on your face and wind in your hair while pulling a paddle through the water along the lake on a Sunday morning, there's a new event happening that may be just the thing to do this weekend. The first ever Rattlesnake Island SUP Classic takes place...
Challenge home-stay program a rewarding experience
PENTICTON - Chris Hawkins is no stranger to triathlon races — being a four-time Ironman participant he knows the importance of pre-race preparation, such as rest, good diet and peace and quiet. That’s why last year, Hawkins, his wife (also a triathlete) and their two young daughters hosted professional athlete Chris Bagg and his wife...
New weekend and more competition means COG not yet sold out
KELOWNA – One of Canada’s hottest beach festivals is back again this year, but Center of Gravity founder Scott Emslie says ticket sales are down compared with last year. “We sold out by May last year,” he says. “We’re 90 per cent sold out right now so tickets will be available at the gate.” The...
Over 2,500 cycle in Penticton Granfondo
PENTICTON – There were some pretty famous people riding in the fourth annual Prospera Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan in Penticton on Sunday. Olympic medalist Clara Hughes was there as one of the event’s special guests, as was Vancouver Canucks president Trevor Linden and rocker Barney Bentall. The Granfondo featured a 160 kilometre cycling route along...
Vernon’s Pospisil in Wimbledon doubles final
LONDON – Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil has made it into the men’s doubles final at Wimbledon with his American partner Jack Sock. The pair beat Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a semifinal on Friday. The 24-year-old lost in the men’s singles early in the tournament so has...
Two Rockets picked in NHL entry draft
KELOWNA - Two members of the Kelowna Rockets were drafted on day two of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia. Justin Kirkland was selected in the third round (62nd overall) by the Nashville Predators while Rourke Chartier was chosen by the San Jose Sharks in the 5th round (149). Kirkland, a 17-year old native...
Vernon Viper picked in NHL entry draft
VERNON – Vernon Vipers' forward Liam Coughlin was picked by Edmonton in the NHL entry draft Saturday. The Oilers grabbed Coughlin 130 in the fifth round. The South Boston, Mass. native had 18 goals and 45 points for the Vipers last season. The 19-year-old is a big guy at 6’ 3” and 201 lbs. To contact...
Canucks to host Young Stars Classic hockey tournament
PENTICTON - The Vancouver Canucks will be hosting the 2014 Young Stars Classic beginning Sept. 12, 2014 in Penticton. Canucks players won’t be the only NHL stars at the round-robin tournament — prospects from the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets will be there too. “We are excited to host the Young Stars Classic,...
Riders: Get ready for a new bike race
OKANAGAN - There is a new bike race coming to the Okanagan that offers riders a challenging and scenic course through the Okanagan Valley. Following the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, the Kettle Mettle dirt road fond ride will start in Penticton, at one of Lake Okanagan, and end on the other side in Kelowna. Riders...
Westbank construction projects changing the landscape this summer
WESTBANK - Expect some traffic delays as four capital improvement projects on Westbank First Nations land get rolling this summer. Construction on the Sneena Road Overpass Project is underway and should be finished in November. It includes an overpass at Highway 97 and Sneena Road and extension of Sneena Road from Tomat Avenue to Campbell...