January 3, 2008 – Coach Paul Kindree is proud to announce Team Squamish 2008. “I couldn’t be more excited about the team this year,” said Kindree. “We have a slightly smaller roster than 2007 allowing us some extra freedom. We can offer more personal attention to the athletes and it has allowed the inclusion of some very keen, but less experienced younger members. It is pretty impressive to note that most of the team has competed at a provincial level, probably two thirds at a national level, and a quarter at international level. Squamish should be very proud to have so many elite young athletes. We hope to up that ante again this season.”

The 2008 Season promises to be hectic. The Worlds are very early (mid June) in order to accommodate the Olympics. This means that Canada Cup races are scheduled to begin in Quebec. In order to establish a national reputation and qualify for the National Team local riders will need to attend races in Bromont and Mt. Tremblant. Nationals will be held in Quebec in July while the World Championships will be in northern Italy so the season promises to include a lot of ‘ex’s — exhilarating excitement and exceptional expense!

Training calendars should be going out to riders early next week. The year will be kicking off with a couple of trips a month to the Burnaby Velodrome, interspersed with spin, core strengthening and gym work to be followed up with road and trail riding. Team Squamish and Mad March Racing plan on continued co-operation, Mad March’s downhill technique camps having proved incredibly popular with the XC riders.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Kindree added with enthusiasm, “it promises to be a really great year!”

Team Squamish 2008

Returning riders:
– Philip Cairns
– Hayden Drygas
– Ryan Edwards
– Eden Imbeau
– Neal Kindree
– Alison MacKellar
– Miranda Miller

New riders:
– Aidan Davis
– Kristin Drygas
– Summer Griffin
– Maia Kilby
– Mo Lawrence
– Robert Leigh
– Toby Patterson-Nolan
– Lauren Rosser