Hight aims for Olympic snowboard team
Kauai-born Elena Hight continues her quest for a third Olympics when she competes in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s qualifiers that begin today at Mammoth Mountain, Calif.
The 24-year-old is a half-pipe specialist. The Hanalei native, whose family still lives on Kauai, placed sixth as a 16-year-old at the 2006 Games in Turin and was 10th at the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
At last year’s X Games, Hight became the first snowboarder — male or female — to successfully land a double backside alley-oop in competition. She was also featured in last summer’s ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
The USSSA is tripling up on its qualifiers this week after canceling last week’s event in Colorado. Qualifiers Nos. 3 and 4 are scheduled to be run today with the fifth and final qualifier Sunday.
The U.S. team for the Sochi Olympics will be announced Sunday.
Stewart tops at bodysurfing event
Mike Stewart was named the top individual performer at last weekend’s Da Hui Invitational bodysurfing expression session at Banzai Pipeline.
Best tube ride went to Steve Kapela, best trick to Barry Holt and best wave to Sean Enoka. The best wipeout award went to Sanja Duplessis.
Team North Shore, which included Mark Cunningham, Larry Russo, Rick Thomas and Todd Sells, took first place out of the five teams entered.
Aloha Gymfest opens today
Gymnastics teams representing Hawaii, Australia, Canada, England, Japan and the U.S. mainland begin competition this afternoon in the 38th Aloha Gymfest.
The three-day event, sponsored by Kokokahi Gymnastics Team, runs through Sunday at Le Jardin Academy’s Wang Gym. Today’s sessions have Level 3 starting at 2:30 p.m. and Levels 4-5 at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday’s sessions begin at 8 a.m. with Level 8, followed by Level 9 at 1 p.m. and Level 10 at 4:30 p.m. The meet concludes Sunday with sessions at 8 a.m. (Level 6) and 12:30 p.m. (Level 7).
Single-session admission is $5 for children 4-12 and $10 for adults. All-day passes are $15 Friday and Sunday, and $20 Saturday.
For more information, call 235-6866 or go to kokokahigymnastics.com.
Speed and Quickness clinics start
Hawaii Speed and Quickness opens its 15th year Sunday with the first of 26 clinics at Kaiser High.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. in the gym. The costs are $10 for youth and intermediate divisions, and $20 for elite (high school and older). A season pass, which includes all 26 sessions through July 27, is $200 ($400 for elite).
Among the clinicians are Rich Miano, Leonard Peters and Chad Ikei. The focus is on fitness, health and improving athletic performance.
Tribute to Polynesian football players
Five of the inaugural inductees into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame headline the Polynesian Football Heroes Tribute on Jan. 24 at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Hale Aloha.
Inductees scheduled to attend are Kurt Gouveia, Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae and Jack Thompson, as well as Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo. Also taking part are PFHOF co-founders Jesse Sapolu and Maa Tanuvasa, Vai Sikahema, Reno Mahe and June Jones.
The free event starts at 3:30 p.m. and includes an autograph sessions and a question-and-answer forum. Seating is limited to 800 on a first-come, first-served basis. For information and reservations, call 293-3333 or go to polynesianfootballhof.org.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
SATURDAY
Hiking
Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club: 8:30 a.m., Kuaokala, Makaha. Reservations required, limit of 35 hikers. 674-1459. htmclub.org.
Lawn Bowling
Honolulu Lawn Bowls Club: 10 a.m., HLBC clubhouse, Ala Moana Park.
Rodeo
HHSRA: 8:30 a.m., Kawailoa Ranch. rodeooahu.com.
Run-Walk
Emancipation Freedom: 3 miles. 7 a.m., Ala Moana Park. emancipationfreedomwalk.com.
Walk
St. Marianne Cope Charity: 2 miles, 7:30 a.m., Kakaako Waterfront Park. stfrancishawaii.org.
SUNDAY
Cricket
Honolulu Cricket Club: 10:30 a.m., Kapiolani Park. honolulucricketclub.org.
Kayaking
Hui Wa‘a Kaukahi: Kahala to Ke‘ehi Lagoon, 10 miles. Launch: 9:30 a.m. Call for meeting point: 226-2006. huiwaa.org.
Paddling
Kanaka Ikaika: Race 2, short and long courses, Maunalua Bay to Kaimana Beach. SS-1, SS-2, SUP, prone paddleboard, OC-1, OC-2, OC-3, OC-6, V-1. Online registration: flpregister.com. kanakaikaika.com.
Running
Harold Chapson 8K: 7 a.m., Kapiolani Community College. mprrc.com.
Maui Oceanfront: Marathon, half-marathon, 15K, 10K, 5K and walk, Lahaina. mauioceanfrontmarathon.com.
Triathlon
Wintertime Super Sprint: 7 a.m., Kailua-Kona. teammangoraces.com.
SIGN ME UP
Baseball
Pitchers Clinics: Jan. 24-26, Kailua High baseball field. Fee: $200, limited to 50 per session. Ages 8-up. Various times. Through Baseball Academy of Hawaii. hawaiibaseballacademy.com.
Run-Walk
Newman Center Fun 5K: 8 a.m., Jan. 25, Newman Center, UH. newmanhawaii.com.
2nd XCEL Race Against Skin Cancer: 9 a.m., Feb. 22, Kaimana Beach to Duke Kahanamoku Beach, 2.4 miles. Check-in: 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. flpregister.com.
Track & Field
UH Sunrise Meet: 8 a.m., Jan. 25, T.C. Ching Field, UH. hawaiiathletics.com.
