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The Canadien Champion, Filday. Jun. 11 1 --0 SPORTS Redden aims to cli*mb that mountain By STEVE LeBLANO The Champion Reaching the top of the mountain is just a figure of speech for most elite level athietes. For Campbellville's Chrissy Redden though, it's as rnuch a regular routine as an ultimate dreain. Thse 32-year-old is a professional moun- tain biker - one of the best female cyclists around, botb nationally and across- the globe. However, Redden won't be completely content until she's eamed the top prize in ber field - nainely, a trip to thse Olympics. In ail likelibood this bonour will be forthcoming for the local racer, who sits second on the Canadian team and bas more than met the criteria ta go ta the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia. But in thse world of sports, where guaran- tees are unheard of and surprises mun ram- pant, things can and do change in a year. Redden, wbo trains up ta 25 bours a week, is working bard ta make sure that doesn't happen.> "Currently, I'mi an the team going to Sydney but tbe final trials won't be until a montb or twa before (thse Olympics) sa tlsis is a big year caming up," she said, during a brief layoff from intemnational competition. "I fact it's the biggest of my life." So far it's also been bier mast successful. Witb just tbree of eight World Cup series events remaining, Redden ranks eigbth an the global circuit. This is the higbest placing ever for the local racer, one of few mountain bikers in Canada who enjay full-time sponsorsbip. Her financial backing cames fram Ritchey and Yao! - a bicycle manufacturer and Internet searcb business respectively. Combined, they're the benefactors of Team Ritchey Yahoo! Redden - among their brightest stars - started off with a bang this season, placing fourth in Napa, California and then fifth on thse Olympié course in Sydney. She recalled, "It's kind of a rolling course that's technical and physically demanding. The event pretty much includ- ed just those riders with hopes for the Olympics, so I was really happy ta do that well in such a strong field." Subsequent efforts have been impres- sive, though flot quite sa spectacular. A number of variables - including a fiat tire and loose terrain - kept ber out of the top 10 during stops in Spain, Germany and England. Redden has a bit of a break now before resuming the world tour next month, at which time she'Il look to move up the rankings and bopefully close the gap between herseif and series leader Alison Sydor of Vancouver. The West Coast cyclist remains Canada's best hope for an Olympic medal next year - followed clasely by Redden. "Recause Canada is so stmong in moun- tain biking, we'll likely send three comn- petitors ta the Olympics, the moat allowed by any country," said Redden. "I'd really like to do more than just go to Olympics. I'd love to medal. This may seemn too big of a dream, but then seven years ago wben I first started racing I neyer tlsougbt I'd get this far. "If there's one tbing I've learned, it's that anything is possible if yau're willing ta pay the price." Redden bas donc just that and seems intent an upping ber payments as the 2000 Olympics grow dloser. Until then she bas bier sigbta set on fin- ishing top five on the World Cup series andr eamning a similar placing at thse Warld Cbampionships, slated for September in Sweden. Who's who camp list Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Chrlaay Redden la chaalflg aomne lofty goals mn mountain blklng. Among themn ls a trip ta the 2000 Summer Olympica ln Australie. Draft Choice will be the first chaice for Miltan's hockey stars this summer. The summner camp pragrans's instructars liat will read like a who's wha of the local seene. Darren "Mini" Haydar, Scott Bertoli and Doug Janjevicb will ail be affering insight and experience ta aspiring players. The NCAA Division I tria will jain coaches Wayne Gagne and Jocy Pedulla. The latter was wits a German professional teamt and toiled witb bath tbe Merchants and Bramipton Capîtals in bis junior years. Draft Choice is anc af the more inten- sive developmental pragrams arounri. Among other tbings, the camp utilizes spring boards and parallel bars ta teacb some of thse liner points of the game such as balance and positianing. There are a dozen one-week camps in a bandful of communities between July 12 ta September 3. The Miltan camp, for seven ta 14-year- olds, runs fram August 16 ta 20 and stili bas a few spaces available. The $450 per player cost includes 30 hours of on-ice training. To register, or for more information, cali (905) 452-7205.