Aug 5 - The best hammer-thrower in the world

Good morning !

The medals keep rolling in for Island athletes, but they aren't the only locals having sports success this weekend.

More below on some history-making performances.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 24 / 14

Tomorrow: ☀️ 24 / 13

Wednesday: ☀️ 25 / 14

7-day forecast

NEWS

Island gold: Hammer thrower makes history

On Sunday Ethan Katzberg, still just 22, threw a hammer 84.12 metres—more than 275 feet, or three quarters the length of a soccer field. He was competing in his first Olympics, among the best in the world. But not one of those other elite athletes managed even hit 80 metres.

His throw had the largest margin of Olympic victory in over 100 years, and Katznerg is the first Canadian to win gold in any throwing event in 120. He’s also the youngest champion for this long-running hammer event, which involves throwing a round weight with a chain and handle (rather than the more recognizable hammer sometimes used in Highland Games).

The win cemented the mustachioed Nanaimo-raised thrower as the current best in the world, building on his victory last year at the world championships, where he was also the youngest winner and first Canadian champ.

His next target: The world record of 86.74m, set in 1986. The furthest he’s thrown in competition so far is 84.38m.

Watch his weekend win here:

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Free parking for BC Day at City of Victoria parkades and on-street metres. [Info]

Check highway conditions at DriveBC. 

Check BC Ferries current conditions here.

BC Day travel tips [BC Gov]

Air quality: Moderate risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Poverty was biggest risk factor in BC heat deaths, new study says

The study by BC CDC researchers found that the most distinguishing factor in deaths in BC during the heat dome 3 years ago was being on income assistance. The study looked at 1,597 people who died during the heat dome and compared them to a control group of 7,968 people who survived.

Not all of those deaths were directly from the heat; over that stretch, BC had 740 excess deaths (i.e. above the expected amount) and 619 deaths—including 55 Islanders—attributed to the dome itself. But in the group of 1,597 deaths, poverty was 2.4x more common than in the control group.

Prior research has indicated that heat dome victims tended to be older, lack air conditioners or fans, and have chronic health conditions.

The health condition most strongly associated with deaths was schizophrenia, as a previous study flagged. The new research also pointed to other mental health factors such as addiction, as well as COPD, Parkinson’s disease, and heart failure.

NEWS

Perfect season by Victoria Shamrocks sets lacrosse records

The locals are the first Western Lacrosse Assoc. (WLA) team to win all 18 regular-season games, and broke the 55-year-old record for consecutive wins. The team has finally made history after nearly having a perfect season two decades ago that was stymied by a single draw-game.

They begin the playoffs semifinals on Wednesday at the Westshore’s Q Centre vs. the New West Salmonbellies, the team they beat to set the record. The WLA winner will play for the Mann Cup (Canadian Championship).

The team is led by newly declared All-Stars Chris Oliglieri and Jesse King, who is joined on the roster by his brother Marshal King. The two young Kings were raised here and spent nearly two years training at the Juan de Fuca and Topaz Park lacrosse boxes when the pandemic shut down their season in the NLL with Calgary.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🍻 8 local breweries to try for the holiday: [Read the list here]

🦈🛶 Basking shark meets Salt Spring paddleboarder: These gentle giants are a rare sight. [CHEK]

✔ Join MLA Grace Lore August 10, at the Upper Fort Street Festival. You can also drop by the office to discuss what matters in your community.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

SUV crossed centre line in Malahat crash, police now say
A woman driving a civic, and two children in the back seat, were hospitalized on Sat. near Split Rock. Police did not make clear what their condition was or whether the pair in the lane-crossing Acura SUV were also hospitalized, and did not confirm how many total injuries or vehicles were involved. [Times Colonist]

Qualicum Beach seniors killed in Alberta crash
The duo’s Corrola collided with an F-350 near Cremona on Sat., RCMP said. The other driver survived. [RDnewsnow] 

With scarce housing and high household costs, many BC families living together longer
Some Victoria parents are among those delaying retirement or making other changes to help their adult kids get a foothold. One local said her home has four generations—they save on costs, but have to be adaptable. [Vancouver Sun] Two years ago, Capital Daily profiled a four-generation Oak Bay household.

🗓️ Things to do

🎵 Music in the Park: Odyssey String Quartet will perform at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]

 🪕 Ukulele strumalong: Grab your ukulele and enjoy a night of music at The Fernwood Inn. Today. 7-9pm. [Info]

👗 Summertime vintage, retro, and collectible sale: Shop secondhand goods at Saanich Commonwealth Place. Today. 9:30am-4pm. [Info]

🎻 The Best of Hans Zimmer: Candlelight Open Air hosts this outdoor concert at The Fort Commons. Today. 7:45pm. [Info]

🎆 Monday fireworks game at Royal Athletic as the HarbourCats enter the home stretch. 6:30pm. [Tickets]

👽 Wonderment: Mixmaster Morris headlines a free outdoor ambient electronic music show in Banfield Park. [Info]

🎶 Pop-up Operas: Pacific Opera singers will be in Bastion Square today at 4pm and Juan de Fuca Library Weds. at 2pm. [Info]

 🎐 Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day Lantern-building, Taiko drummers, Furusato dancers, music, & more at this free event dedicated to building peace. 6-9pm Tuesday at Gorge Park Pavilion (1070 Tillicum). [Event]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Island losing keepers at 2 lighthouses due to safety concerns with aging facilities. [Aug. 4]

Sat. news: Olympic silver for local rowers. Ferry volume & road crash warnings. Pleasant soundscapes or “Martian invasion”—you decide this weekend. [Aug. 3]

New shark species seen in Salish Sea. [Phys.org]

Pacific FC 1 York 1: Draw puts PFC in a tie with “younger sibling” Vancouver FC for 5th place.

Neighbourhood beaver needs name in Nanaimo.

A crab in the hand at Botanical Beach.

That’s it!

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