Steve Maher
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Ridge coach Yamamoto chosen for top award
WENATCHEE — Longtime Mission Ridge Ski Team coach Claudia Yamamoto was named the Pacific Northwest Ski Association’s coach of the year during ceremonies Saturday evening. Yamamoto is only the second woman to win the award in the ski association’s history. The Quincy resident has served as a coach for more than 30 years at Mission Ridge, 49 Degrees North near Spokane and at Alta, Utah. During her racing days, she competed in Northwest Cups, U.S. Nationals, Can Ams, and the Western Region Elite Spring Series.
Best bet: Dig the river
Want fast? Try the Wenatchee River Festival on Friday and Saturday in Cashmere, where kayakers will take to the torrent to race and to show off some tricks. Much of the activity will center around the Riverside Center in town.
Reader scrapbook: The motion of cycling
Wenatchee photographer Frank Cone captured a cyclist racing in the Ted Finegold Memorial Criterium in downtown Wenatchee on May 14. Using a technique called panning, in which he fires his Nikon D7000 at a slow shutter speed while following the cyclist along his path, Cone snapped this shot from the corner of Orondo and Columbia streets. Cone’s camera shoots five to six frames per second, and he says once in a while he hits on an image like this one, where the subject is in focus with a blurry background.
Reader scrapbook: Shimmer in the blue water
Adult Canadian geese watch over their goslings at Walla Walla Point Park in Wenatchee on May 13.
Ride ‘n’ run
WENATCHEE — Get in the community groove by taking part in this Saturday’s Apple Century Bike Ride, a Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary event that raises money for college scholarships. In a departure from past years, this Century Bike Ride is taking cyclists up the Wenatchee Valley. The 50-mile ride travels from Wenatchee to Leavenworth and back, while the 100-mile ride goes from Wenatchee to Nason Creek and back. For more:www.applebikeride.com If bike riding isn’t your thing — and you prefer a grueling trail run to cap off your weekend — try Sunday’s inaugural Red Devil Challenge above Cashmere. The 20-kilometer run and relay, which begins and ends at the Devil’s Gulch/Red Devil trailhead, features 3,000 foot elevation gain. Shuttles will take participants from Cashmere to the trailhead. For more: www.runwenatchee.com
Out There: Calendar
May 24: Wenatchee Valley Trail Run Series, Leavenworth Ski Hill trails, fun run, no timing, refreshments at end, www.runwenatchee.com
Your task: Run trail, eat pancakes
MAZAMA — Here’s a good deal: Run (or walk) through meadows and fields to your heart’s content and then fill up on pancakes to your stomach’s pleasure. That you can do at this Saturday’s Mazama Fun Run.
This spot has it all
Wildlife, flowers, basalt formations up Swakane way
Access: From the north end of Wenatchee, drive north five miles on Highway 97A, turn left onto Forest Service Road No. 7415 into Swakane Canyon. Continue up the canyon three miles to Rattlesnake Springs Forest Service Road No. 5215 and park. Do not block road access. Fees: None
That’s mine
A group from the Tri-Tech Skills Center’s early childhood education program watch earlier this month as chunky rainbow trout plummet from a state Department of Fish and Wildlife transport truck into the Columbia Park Fishing Pond in Kennewick. The delivery was part of an effort to stock fish for a Kids Fishing Day program.
Best bets: Two races geared for kids
Do one or do both. The Junior Ridge to River Relay takes place Saturday morning at Walla Walla Park Point, followed by the new Live4Adventure race at the Apple Bowl.