P-R winter coaching forms due
PLATTSBURGH — The Press-Republican winter coaching forms, which have been e-mailed to all area athletic directors, are due on Friday. Previews for winter sports will begin appearing in the newspaper next week. If a coach has not received a form, he or she can call Bob Goetz at 565-4124.

Keeseville to offer youth ski program
KEESEVILLE — The Keeseville Youth Commission, in conjunction with Whiteface Mountain, will once again offer the Youth Commission Ski Program.

To sign up or for more details, come to the Town of AuSable town Hall on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10-11 a.m. For more info, contact Tonia Finnegan at 834-7363.

Bailey finishes 15th in season opener
OSTERSUND, Sweden — Lowell Bailey of Lake Placid battled tough conditions Wednesday to finish 15th in the 20K Individual, the first competition of the Biathlon World Cup season.

Despite snowy conditions, Bailey had one of his best days ever of his World Cup career, missing just one of twenty shots. He finished 3:11.6 behind Michael Greis of Germany, also with one penalty. Greis covered the 20K in 58:52.5. Two Norwegians, Alexander Os and Emile Hegle Svendsen followed, 50.5 and 55 seconds back respectively. The Norwegian athletes each had two penalties.

On the shooting range, Bailey's only miss was on the last shot of the second (standing) stage. Bailey's 15th place is his second-best World Cup result, topped only by his 11th place in the 12.5K Pursuit competition at Pyeong Chang, Korea last March.

Jay Hakkinen (Kasilof, AK) skied well all day, but finished 58th with five penalties, 6:35.7 back. Jeremy Teela (Anchorage, AK) finished 94th with eight penalties, 11:50.1 back, while Russell Currier (Stockholm, ME) was 109th, also with eight penalties, 12:45.9 back.

The Women's 15K Individual is today.

Wyckoff qualifies for skating nationals
LAKE PLACID — Kendall Wyckoff from the Olympic Center Skating School claimed silver during the Eastern Sectional Figure Skating Championships in Boston to qualify for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships to be held January in Cleveland.

Wyckoff, originally from Panton, Vt., currently lives in Lake Placid and trains with Gilberto Viadana and Michela Boschetto of the Olympic Center Skating School. She placed sixth in the novice division at last year's U.S. Figure Skating Championships and went on to represent the U.S. at the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia, where she finished second.

This is Wyckoff's first season competing at the junior level. Skating for the Vermont Skating Club, Wyckoff took the silver medal in the Junior Ladies division. The 16-year-old skater earned 127.11 total points, winning the free skate portion of the event. The gold medal winner was Kristiene Gong of the Skating Club of New York.

Wyckoff has also qualified for the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships next week in Lake Placid.

Snowmobile safety course to be offered
WEST PLATTSBURGH — The Town of Plattsburgh Recreation Department will sponsor a New York State Certified Snowmobile Safety Course, beginning on Friday, Dec. 26.

New York State Law requires that any youth between the ages of 10 and 18 must first complete its safety-training course in order to operate a snowmobile on any property other than that of their parents or guardians. The town-sponsored course is open to any Clinton County Youth ages 10-18, who wishes to complete the course and receive a Safety Certificate. There is no fee for this course.

The course will be held during the school break, at the Town of Plattsburgh Office complex located on at 151 Banker Road, on Friday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Dec. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants must attend both sessions.

Anyone wishing to take the course is asked to register with the Recreation Office prior to the first session. For more information, contact the recreation office, at 562-6860, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open family swim continues on Fridays
PLATTSBURGH — The Town of Plattsburgh Recreation Department continues to sponsor Open Family Swim at the CVPH Wellness Center, at 295 New York Road on PARC every Friday evening, from 6:15-8:15 p.m. Beginning Dec. 12, the times will change to 7-9 p.m.

These sessions are not only for children but are open to persons of all ages not in diapers. There is a charge of $1 per person for each session. The maximum charge for a family is $4 per session.

Certified Lifeguards are on duty at all times. Participants have use of the locker rooms but everyone using the facility is responsible for bringing a towel and it is recommended that water shoes be worn.

For more information, call the Town of Plattsburgh Recreation Office, at 562-6860.