Test our metal! - Squamish Chief

2 | Friday, june 17, 2011 TesT of MeTaL www.squamishchief.com THe CHIef
Test of Metal 2011: A few riders to watch
Hundreds of
bikers are ready
take on the
Test of Metal.
Here are a few
who have a
chance to be
on the podium
ChieF File photo
Catharine pendrel (centre), a three-time test of Metal winner (2007, 2009 and 2010) and a standout
on the international mountain biking circuit, is a strong contender for the 2011 elite Women’s crown.
Ben Lypka
blypka@squamishchief.com
More than 800 riders from
across North America
are getting set to descend
on Squamish to compete in
the 16th annual North Shore
Credit Union Test of Metal on
Saturday (June 18).
The 67-kilometre course attracts
some of the top riders
on the continent and this year
is no exception. Here are a
few of the racers to watch for
on race day:
Elite Male
• Neal Kindree — The
Squamish resident is a twotime
Test of Metal winner
(2006, 2007) and has made a
strong return to the competitive
mountain biking scene in 2011
after a serious knee injury in
2009. Kindree already has two
2011 Hell of a Series wins under
his belt, winning the Orecrusher
on May 14 and the NIMBY 50
on May 28. He’s had an impressive
career, winning the U23
National Mountain Bike Championships
in 2006 and 2007,
along with the Canada Cup in
2006. This year will mark the
first time since 2007 that Kindree
is participating in the race.
• Marty Lazarski — After
several years with close calls,
this could be the year that the
North Vancouver resident puts
it all together. Lazarski placed
third in last year’s race, 30th in
2009 and second in 2008. He’s
also had a strong 2011 thus far,
having finished second at the
Orecrusher and dominating
the North Shore Bike Fest. Lazarski
has had a storied career,
including a national championship
in U23 cross-country
and wins at the TransRockies
and B.C. Bike Races.
ChieF File photo
Squamish’s neal Kindree, seen here after winning the 2007 test of
Metal, has made a strong return to the racing scene after a serious
knee injury in 2009. he’s considered a contender for the elite Male
crown this year.
• Ricky Federau — The
2005 champion will look to
again crack the podium after
finishing 24th in the 2010 edition
of the race. Federau also
took part in the 2004 Test of
Metal, placing third. The Abbotsford
native won the Canadian
National Championships
in 2004, was third in 2005 and
second in 2006. Federau won
the inaugural Just Another
Bike Race (JABR) in 2010 and
this year finished second at
the Sunshine Coaster and
third at the Orecrusher.
Elite Female
• Brandi Heisterman —
It will be the second Test of
Metal race for the Brackendale
resident, having posted
the fifth-best time at the 2010
edition of the race. Heisterman
continued a strong year
last season winning the Gearjammer
and has carried that
momentum into 2011. She
picked up a first-place showing
in both the Sunshine
Coaster and the Orecrusher
and is set to make an impact
at this year’s Test of Metal.
• Catharine Pendrel —
The most dominant female
racer of the last four years
will also be making her return
to defend her championship.
The New Brunswick
native has put together quite
a dynasty at the Test of Metal,
winning three of the past four
years (2007, 2009 and 2010).
Pendrel brings forth quite a resumé,
with a 2010 World Cup
championship and a fourthplace
finish at the 2008 Summer
Olympics to her credit.
• Megan Rose — After
two straight years of cracking
the top 10, it could be a breakthrough
year for this Squamish
resident. Rose placed eighth in
2009 and followed that up with
a seventh-place finish in 2010.
She could be poised to step up
her game after a strong start to
the 2011 season. Rose placed
third in the Elite Female division
at the NIMBY 50 and then
dominated the North Shore
Bike Fest. This year she may finally
get over the hump.
Wishing a
warm welcome to all
competitors & visitors!
Have a
great ride!
MLA JoAn McIntyre
1.866.981.0045
ChieF File photo
Marty lazarski (fourth from left), who placed third in 2010, is one of the riders who has a shot at winning
this year’s elite Male division at the 2011 test of Metal.

THE CHIEF www.squamishchief.com TEST OF METAL FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011 | 3
BOOSTER JUICE Feed Station
and Course Cross-over

4 | FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011 TEST OF METAL www.squamishchief.com THE CHIEF
Rock and roll — on two wheels
Rockstar downhill race rounds
out Test of Metal weekend
of mountain biking fun
NICOLE TRIGG
Special to The Chief
For local mountain bikers and spectators who prefer a 2
½-minute race course to one that lasts 2 ½ hours or longer,
the Crumpit Woods will be the place to be on Day 3 of the
Test of Metal weekend. Starting at noon on Sunday (June 19),
riders will race down a black-diamond course in one-minute
intervals for the ninth annual Rockstar DH presented by the
Tantalus Bike Shop.
“All the fun is all the rock faces. That’s why this course is
done, that’s why it’s called the Rockstar because of the granite
slabs and the steep rock and the vertical rock and mastering
that,” said Rockstar race director Dave Gillie.
The race was conceived as an addition to the Test of Metal
weekend because local downhillers wanted to get involved in
the popular event.
“It was meant as an invitational event for Squamish locals, to
give the locals a chance to have some fun at something other
than a cross-country race,” said Cliff Miller, Test of Metal race
director. “It just adds something to the weekend. It rounds it
out nicely.”
The Rockstar DH race starts at the top of “Cougar Ridge”
with five different rock faces to roll down and then hooks into
“Endo” finishing on “31 seconds.”
A spectator area complete with a PA system and DJ will be
set up halfway down the course at the final double rock face,
where a radar gun will track the riders’ speeds. In past years,
riders have been clocked at speeds in the high 40s (km/h)
down the rock faces.
Because of the speed reached by the racers on the vertical
rock, Gillie asks that spectators leave their dogs at home.
“We’ve had a dog on course and someone doing 40 km an
hour,” he said. “Hitting a dog is not good for the dog or the
rider.”
Race hopefuls who want to sign up need to contact Tantalus
before the day of the event to find out if they’re eligible to compete
and pay the $40 registration fee.
PHOTO BY PAUL DEMERS/SPECIAL TO THE CHIEF
A rider makes his way down one of the steep rock faces on the Rockstar
DH course during the 2010 race.
“It’s just for locals because of the difficulty of the course,” Gillie
said. “We don’t want someone who’s never ridden granite
rock to be on it and hurt themselves.”
“It’s more about ability than anything,” he said. “There’s
some little 15-year-olds out there that can beat most of the old
guys now but again, that’s why they need to go into Tantalus to
kind of get that approval.”
Gillie said sign-up tends to happen late because the event
is weather dependant. Last year, 38 riders participated and
pro rider Shaums March took first place with an overall record
time of 2:28.31, followed by Craig Bullen (2:36.41) and Scott
Halvorson (2:41.68).
“Basically it’s an amateur race, there’s no pro category,” Gillie
said. “The pros do show up, but it’s more fun to race against
them to see how you actually stack up.”
Generally, the categories are men’s, women’s and youth, depending
on who signs up.
“We let the women pick if they want to go first or last,” Gillie
said. “If we have a few juniors, we’d like to get them down
the course first so they’re not up top freaking out because it is
quite nerve racking hearing the crowd roar as people go down
the trail.”
“There’s a lot of goosebumps happening before.”
Those hoping to catch the rock-face action on Sunday should
plan for a 20-minute walk in and a big crowd — about 200 people
showed up to watch last year’s Rockstar race.
“People need to realize they can’t just show up five minutes
before and expect to make it,” said Gillie.
Designated parking for the event will be located at Westway
Avenue and Plateau Drive in Valleycliffe, with nearby pink,
black and white signs leading spectators up the access route
— up Summer’s Eve and across Seven Stitches — to the main
viewing area.
After the race, riders and extended family will meet back up
at 5 p.m. in the Garibaldi room at the Howe Sound Brew Pub
for dinner and prizes.
“There will be lots of nice bike stuff, some clothing, and then
cash for the top racers,” Gillie said. “The cash amounts completely
depend on number of riders.”
Gillie had some words of advice for riders entering the race
for the first time.
“Just have fun and enjoy, because it’s quite the unique situation,”
he said. “Most of us ride our trails alone and we’re out
there just hearing birds and that.”
“To hear the scream and the music in the forest, it’s something
you only experience once a year at the Rockstar.”
Destination ResoRt
ManageMent co-op DiploMa
16 Months
squaMish caMpus
Imagine working at some of the world's
greatest travel destinations. Learn about
the unique aspects that draw visitors to
tourism locations: graduates work in a variety
of positions including events, marketing,
sales, human resources, tour guide and
hotel management.
"I have become a website developer, graphic
designer, all in one marketing department, it's
exciting! A lot of work but this is exactly what
I was looking for from the program."
Andrew Harrington, DRM 2010
Our "tests"
will help
build your
dream
career
Mountain Bike opeRations
ceRtificate
8 Months
sunshine coast caMpus
Highly supported by industry professionals,
this one of a kind program provides you
with the knowledge and skills to work in
several sectors related to mountain biking
such as mountain resorts, government , nonprofit
and consulting or private business
“The great news is that I just secured a position
of Mountain Bike Instructor at our local
college. It never would have happened without
the MBO program at Capilano University.
I’m stepping into my dream job.”
Paul Karr, MBO 2010
coMe to ouR touRisM & outDooR RecReation info night:
Tuesday, June 28 @ 7 pm • Library building, rm. 321 • North Vancouver campus
For more information visit: www.capilanou.ca/tourism
Capilano university
North Vancouver campus • 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver
Squamish campus • 1150 Carson Place, Squamish
Sunshine Coast campus • 5627 Inlet Avenue, Sechelt
What is your child
doing while you’re
at the Test of Metal?
KIDS’
ACTIVITY
CAMP
Come and join us for a half or full day camp at
Brennan Park Recreation Centre - directly
adjacent to the start/finish areas.
Auditorium Saturday June 18
Limited drop-in spaces still available.
Half Day $35
Full Day $65
Are you racing/
volunteering/spectating
during this year’s Test of
Metal Bike Race and need
a fun, active, creative and
safe place for your child
to spend their day?

THe CHIeF www.squamishchief.com TesT oF meTaL friday, juNe 17, 2011 | 5
Pushing his abilities to the limit
Last-place finisher in
2010 Test stays upbeat
to overcome injuries,
Type 1 diabetes
Dawn Green
Special to The Chief
While the first-place winner of a race gets
all the accolades, in every race there is
a last-place finisher deserving of recognition
as well. The 2010 last-place finisher in the Test
of Metal was Chris Pettingill and he holds a
light-hearted perspective on that experience.
Pettingill describes sitting at the starting line
last year.
“I remember looking around at a few people
and thinking, ‘I’ll beat that person and that
person, and every single person I thought that
about beat me by a fair bit, so you know, it’s a
little bit humbling...” he said with a laugh.
His inspiration to participate in the acclaimed
mountain bike race came to him while he was
living in Ontario and he saw it featured on a TV
travel show.
“I thought, ‘If I ever come to live here, I want
to do that race,’” he said.
When he and his partner moved to Squamish
in October 2009, he kept his promise to
himself.
Pettingill faced unique challenges during
the Test of Metal — being a Type 1 diabetic
meant he really needed to be aware of his
food and sugar intake during the race.
“Last year I had just started on the [insulin]
pump,” he explained. “I had only been on it
for a month and I didn’t know how it was going
to go and I didn’t do things well. I didn’t
eat enough to keep my energy levels up. My
blood sugars were good but my energy levels
just tanked and I really struggled in the last
half of the race,” he said.
photo by dawN GreeN / SpeCial to the Chief
Chris pettingill dons his brightly coloured team diabetes jersey in preparation for the test of Metal race
on Saturday (june 18).
The key this year is to eat regularly throughout
the race and to stop every now and then to
test his sugars, he said.
Being a member of Team Diabetes, Pettingill
was happy to contribute to the cause.
“It is a great way to fundraise and to raise
awareness of diabetes,” he said, adding that
members commit to fundraising at least $600
and in return receive a Team Diabetes cycling
jersey and guaranteed race entry, all in support
of the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Pettingill said he also liked the team bonding.
“It’s nice, especially if you’re struggling a
lot and another Team Diabetes rider comes by
and asks whether you are OK or not. A little
support through the race is nice,” he said.
Pettingill described what makes it a tough
course for him. “I actually don’t mind it, but
it is the technical stuff that freaks me out the
most, because I’m not a very technically capable
rider yet.”
When asked about how prepared he felt
for this year’s race, Pettingill replied, “Mentally
pretty good, physically, I am uncertain
my ankle is going to be ready for that sort of
punishment.”
Last September Pettingill broke his right fibula,
which required surgery and the placement
of five screws in his ankle. Then in February
he dropped a weight on his left foot and
broke it. “It was the end of April when I started
back on the stationary bike, so it’s been a little
over a month,” he said of his training regimen.
It seems incredulous that despite these injuries
he is still keen to compete in the race,
yet Pettingill shrugged and said, “Yeah, I told
people I was going to do it, so I kind of feel like
I have to do it. It is one of these things where
it’s a challenge and it’s good to accomplish it.”
When asked what the race means to him,
Pettingill replied, “I had seen a story on the
race before I came here and it seemed kind
of like this is what Squamish is... so it is like
being part of Squamish, getting involved, being
part of the whole lifestyle. I do like to challenge
myself. I’ve never been athletic but I do
like to be fit, and try and do something that
would be difficult for me to do.”
Pettingill’s goals for the 2011 Test of Metal
race are clear.
“To do better in my time than last time,” he
said with a laugh.
Chief file photo
Bonk Hill Feed
Squamish’s Neal Kindree,
Station
seen here after winning the 2007 test of Metal, has made a strong return
to the racing scene after a serious knee injury in 2009. he’s considered a contender for the elite Male
crown this year.
Congratulations to all the riders and participants of the Test of Metal,
an outstanding Squamish event.
The Team at Royal LePage Black Tusk Realty has been volunteering at the feed station on Bonk Hill for a decade.
See you all again next year!

6 | Friday, june 17, 2011 TesT of MeTal www.squamishchief.com THe CHIef
Riders gather from near and far
Third-time Test
of Metal rider
travels from Tokyo
and Honolulu for
‘incredible event’
Meagan RobeR T s on
mrobertson@squamishchief.com
Mountain biking life here in
Squamish is pretty sweet and
sometimes we take a lot for granted…
no vehicle necessary to access
world-class mountain biking trails, a
six-race series right in our corridor,
amazing bike shops and an army of
volunteers keen to build trails and
make great events happen.
However, when an event such as
the world-renowned Test of Metal
happens and nearly 1,000 competitors
pour in from various corners of
the globe, Squamish residents are
reminded just how lucky they are.
Competing in the Test of Metal for
the third time and coming all the
way from Honolulu to do so is Mike
Taratko, who aims to celebrate
both his third Test finish and his
39th birthday on Saturday (June 18).
“I’m really excited to be heading
back to Squamish and can’t wait to
race,” he said.
“It’s definitely worth the trip — if
I would recommend heading anywhere
for a race, the Test is one of
my top picks.”
Taratko, who grew up in New York,
moved to Tokyo when he was 25 and
met Vancouverite and avid mountain
biker Danny Soda, who was also living
and working in Tokyo.
“We used to ride all the trails in
the Tokyo area together and took
part in a number of races as well,”
he said.
Years later, when Soda had moved
back to Vancouver and Taratko was
still in Japan, he received a surprise
invitation from Soda.
“He [Soda] was the one who said,
‘Hey, there’s this race up in Squamish,
it’s epic and it’s one we need
to do,’” said Taratko.
So, in 2003, Taratko traveled more
than 7,000 kilometres to compete
in his inaugural Test of Metal race,
and he said he owes it all to Soda.
“I have to thank my good friend
and host Danny Soda for introducing
me to the race,” he said. “Really,
without him, I wouldn’t have
ever been able to make one time,
let alone three.”
The Test has been one of Taratko’s
favourites ever since.
“The race itself is like the four seasons
of mountain biking — the variation
of the course is incredible,”
he said.
“You’ve got your super climbs,
your sprint start, the plunge which
is incredible downhill, skinnys and
all that good stuff.
“You have to be a really good allaround
rider. If you’re just a downhiller
you’ll do great on the downhill
parts, but there’s a massive
climb to get there.”
Taratko said the event’s organization
is also well above the norm.
“The organizers do an awesome
job,” he said. “I’ve been to a lot of
races. We used to race a lot in Japan
and the organization they put
on is incredible — the support and
the parties before and everything is
really good.”
Taratko moved to Honolulu shortly
afterwards and returned to the
race the Test of Metal in 2008.
He’s thrilled to race again but said
the reason behind the trip is really
“all about getting together with my
mountain biking friends and facing
the challenge.”
He’s been gearing up for the race
by riding the steep, technical terrain
that dominates the mountain
biking in the Honolulu area, and
spent last weekend riding the North
Shore of Oahu on Saturday.
“It was downpouring and muddy,
but it was a good pre-test before the
real Test,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ll finish and do well
— but no matter what, I’ve no doubt
it will be a good time.”
Welcome, participants,
to the ‘Canadian Epic’
ClI ff MI lleR
Race Director
It starts, of course, with the riders. Over
the past 16 years somewhere in the
neighbourhood of 14,000 people have
challenged themselves on the 67-kilometre
North Shore Credit Union Test of
Metal race course. We’ve had Olympians
and we’ve had novices; we’ve had
participants from almost every province,
and from several countries. We’ve had
the very young and the more experienced.
It’s been the whole gamut. And
we owe you our thanks for supporting
our race.
But that’s just the start. There are the
sponsors — many local, others national
and international — who generously provide
services and products without which
the event simply wouldn’t be possible.
Then there are the fans and supporters
and the people of this community. Hundreds
of people wait at the start, line the
race course or come to the finish area to
support friends and family or simply to
cheer on the riders. We are constantly
reminded by racers that your very vocal
support is one of the things that makes
the Test of Metal unique.
Mostly, though, it is the volunteers.
More than 300 people work through
the Test of Metal weekend to make sure
each event runs smoothly. You do it with
no fanfare and for little more than our
thanks. You do it, I believe, because you
see how events like the Test of Metal pull
the whole community together. Without
each one of you, this race would not run.
You are the face, the heart and the soul
of the Test of Metal.
There is one group of vollies for whom
all year is Test of Metal time. The 30 Test
Pilots — each of whom is responsible for
Test our metal!
Landscape Design Installation
Ponds - West Coast & Japanese style
Regular Maintenance
Hedges and Trees
Going on vacation?
We will maintain
while you’re away!
Don’t see what you need? Just ask!
Now serviNg furry creek
Karl Hancox
604.567.2221 or 604.892.7726 (cell)
kshancox@gmail.com
one area of the race — will begin organizing
next year’s race shortly after the
last rider in this year’s race crosses the
finish line. They’ll meet through the winter
and tweak the race so that an already
great event gets even better.
This is the 16th running of the North
Shore Credit Union Test of Metal and
each time I’m amazed and somewhat
bewildered by how it all comes together.
Amazed because of the generosity of so
many and bewildered because there’s
a kind of serendipity to the whole event.
Things just seem to work out, although I
know that it’s through the hard work of so
many. Most of all, I’m enormously grateful
to all the people who have helped to
make the Test of Metal the most successful
mountain bike race in Canada.
Enjoy your Test of Metal weekend.
Take in the events, enjoy our town and
have a great race.
submitted photo
mike taratko, a resident of honolulu, hawaii, rides his bike during an event in hawaii.
he’s excited to be taking part in the 2011 test of metal this weekend: “the
support and the parties before and everything is really good.”
Spectator shuttle
service offered
F
or the past several years, Test of Metal organizers have operated
a shuttle bus service to help spectators access key
parts of the course while minimizing the traffic and parking
issues that might arise if all tried to get there by private vehicle.
In 2010, the shuttle service included four, 24-passenger buses
running non-stop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and because they were
so busy, organizers have added a fifth, 15-passenger vehicle to
the mix.
“At the beginning of the day they were jam-packed full, so this
year we’ve got another bus,” TOM shuttle coordinator Nicole
McRae said. “At the start line, it is so full that we have to make
multiple trips.”
The objective is to get spectators up into the popular Powerhouse
Plunge area with minimal traffic and parking issues,
McRae said, adding that it’s also a great way for out-of-towners
who don’t know the ropes and routes to enjoy the race.
The two routes take spectators from the start-finish area at
Brennan Park up into Valleycliffe, then spectators walk about
200 metres to a second bus that takes them on the forest service
roads to the Powerhouse.
This year, two buses will run on each route and the fifth will
go back and forth between the two, depending on which is
busiest, McRae said. Spectators hoping to ride the buses should
look for them near the start line at Brennan Park.
GOOD LUCK
Meagan, Ben and
all of the 2011
Test of Metal riders!

THe CHIeF www.squamishchief.com TesT oF MeTaL Friday, june 17, 2011 | 7
Physician practicing what she preaches
Local doctor, Test
of Metal competitor
sets example of
healthy lifestyle
Dawn Green
Special to The Chief
Dr. Rua Read is a Squamish physician who
likes to set a high standard on demonstrating
the importance of exercising. Taking
on her fifth Test of Metal race this weekend,
Read is excited about the event and noted
that several local physicians in town regularly
take part.
“I think it’s great that the local community
physicians stay fit and active and participate
in this great community event,” she said.
She cites her husband, who has been racing
for more than 20 years, as her inspiration for
participating in the Test of Metal race.
“Watching him race inspired me to do it,”
she said.
For Read, it’s the bike community that keeps
her wanting to race.
“I love the bike community here — it’s really
fun,” she said. “It’s a whole community now...
people who like getting on their bike. It’s way
more than racing.”
Read’s aspirations for this year’s race are
the same as in previous years — to improve
on her time. Last year, she finished a respectable
207th overall in three hours, 39 minutes,
30 seconds, winning her 40 to 44 age
category.
“This year I would like to be 10 minutes
faster,” she said. “Ten minutes is going to be
tough to shave off but I think I can. I have put
in more time on my bike this year.”
Memories of previous Test of Metal races
that stand out for her include riding Rollercoaster,
with the crowds of racers lining the
whole trail. “That’s a great moment in the
Test,” she said.
Read also loves the connections she
has made with fellow racers during the
competition.
“Over the years I have struck up many conversations
with fellow racers, particularly in
the parade up Jack’s Trail,” she said. “It’s interesting
because you actually meet people
while you’re racing, because you’re both having
fun together and suffering together.”
Read has never suffered an injury during
the Test and says she has always been fortunate
to make it to the race day healthy and
ready to go.
“I think that, unfortunately, getting to the
start line and not being either sick or injured...
is challenging,” she said, adding that most injuries
occur during the lead-up to the event.
As a physician, Read’s advice to other competitors
is to get lots of rest in the days leading
up the race, to ensure you are well hydrated
with a sports drink or electrolyte drink before
the event, and to take it easy on the first
descent.
“It’s a long race and every year people crash
on the first gravelly descent, so I would recommend
taking it easy — you will have lots of
time to pass later on,” she said with a smile.
A huge fan of the Test of Metal event, Read
calls it a “great day for Squamish.”
“I think there are 200 to 300 volunteers who
come out and support the race and there are
a huge number of families that come and line
the course,” she said. “It’s one of those things
that make me proud that I live here.”
Photo by dawn Green/SPecial to the chieF
dr. rua read trains for her fifth test of Metal: “there are 200 to 300 volunteers who come out and
support the race and there are a huge number of families that come and line the course. it’s one of the
things that makes me proud that i live here.”
Squamish man loses those registration blues
Lifelong entry to the
Test of Metal proves
a coveted prize
nICo L e TrI GG
Special to The Chief
With the Test of Metal’s first-come,
first-served registrations selling
out faster with every passing year, a
guaranteed spot in the annual mountain
bike race from now until perpetuity
is not just every competitor’s fantasy.
It’s the prize awarded by Mountain
FM as part of the radio station’s yearly
sponsorship of the epic event.
And when racers cross the start line
of the 16th annual Test of Metal on
Saturday (June 18) Stephen Sutherland
— this year’s lucky Mountain FM
winner — will be one of them.
“There’s just probably about 20
lifetime entries out there now,” said
Test of Metal race director Cliff Miller.
“Mountain FM
runs their own
program, and
we’ve had a few
other organizations
that we’ve
given lifetime entries
to that they
Steve Sutherland
do as a contest
and primarily use it as a fundraiser.”
The prize is growing in value. The
early-bird, locals-only registration
on Dec. 1, 2010 sold out in three
hours and seven minutes, and was
followed by the general race registration
on Jan. 1, 2011, which sold
out in just 23 minutes — breaking
the previous year’s record by one
minute, 30 seconds.
“Nineteen ninety-six was the first
year. We had 450 racers in ’96,”
Miller said. “We had 600 in ’97,
we capped it at 800 in ’98 and we
reached 800 three days before the
event, and progressively it’s been
getting shorter and shorter.
“It was months and then weeks
and then days and then in 2004-’05
it turned into a matter of hours, and
now it’s a matter of minutes,” he
said. “It’s an abnormality. There’s
only a handful of events
that do that.”
By winning a lifetime entry,
“you’ve got a guaranteed
entry for the rest of
your life,” he said.
The Lifetime Entry to the
Test was one of many prizes
up for grabs on Mountain
FM’s “Goldmine” —
the contesting section of
the radio station’s website
— until the contest closed
on Sunday, June 12.
To use the Goldmine,
listeners sign up online
to earn “Gold-digger” points, which
they spend on contests to win prizes,
and each contest costs a certain
amount of points to enter.
“On the air we’ll offer bonus codes
I saw it the
previous year
and I thought, ‘I
have to work at
really listening
and getting the
points to win.’
Steve Sutherland
that are worth points and say, ‘Go
into the Goldmine and enter the
following bonus code worth 1,000
points,’ and you score the points,”
said Mike Hewitt, Mountain FM promotions
director. “The
more you listen, the
more chances you have
of earning points which
gives you more chances
to win. There is no limit
to entries.”
The Lifetime Entry to
the Test contest closed
with 2,341 entries submitted
by 309 people.
Sutherland, 47, a Garibaldi
Highlands resident, spent
almost 100,000 points on
the contest with 397 entries
to assure himself of the win.
“We always tell people the more
times you enter, the better your
chances to win,” Hewitt said. “If you
put in, let’s say, 400 entries versus
someone who has put 20 in, the system
is going to know what you spent.”
“It’s randomly selected, but the system
generates a winner based on the
amount of entries.”
Sutherland was announced on
air as the 2011 contest winner during
the Mountain Morning Show on
Monday (June 13).
“I was pretty confident I wasn’t going
to win,” he said. “And I didn’t hear it on
the air but people started calling me.”
He’s been entering the Test of Metal
since its first year on the present
course, and even rode the first Brodie
Test of Metal in the trails above
Alice Lake back in 1994.
“I saw it [the contest] the previous
year and I thought, ‘I have to work
at really listening and getting all the
points to try and win,’” Sutherland
said. “I’ve been saving the points up
since last year.”
“It’s great. It’s always stressful to try
and get signed up in time — it’s just
fantastic,” he said. “One stress out of
the year, gone.”

8 | FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011 www.squamishchief.com THE CHIEF