March 22, 2013 (Whistler Olympic Park, BC) – With over 800 participants signed up, the 2013 Haywood Cross Country Ski Nationals are sure to be an exhilarating week of races full of up-and-coming talent from across Canada.

Tomorrow, March 23, will kick off with the team sprint, a fast and exciting two-person sprint relay in the freestyle technique. With a total registration of over 120 teams across 6 categories, this is a great event for spectators to come out and watch.

Other events include individual interval starts Sunday March 24 and Tuesday March 26, individual sprints Wednesday March 27, and the long distance individual mass start races on Saturday March 30.

After a long World Cup season, part of the Canadian National Team – Devon Kershaw, Ivan Babikov, and Perianne Jones – will be racing this upcoming week. Brian McKeever, winner of two gold medals at this year’s Para-Nordic World Championships in Sollefteå, Sweden, is also arriving in Whistler this week to race in the Open Men category.

Happening on March 29 is the Fast and Female Champ Camp. Focused on inspiring and empowering girls ages 9-19 through sport, Fast and Female will be running a three- hour event that will bring together over 20 elite female ambassadors and almost 100 girls for a ski workout, an inspirational presentation, and an autograph-signing session.

Entry to watch all races is free and spectators are encouraged to come out and cheer. This will be the last major race for the Canadian National Team in Canada before the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

 2013 Haywood Cross Country Ski Nationals Event Schedule

• Thursday, March 21 – CCUNC Athletes Meeting, 1090 Legacy Way (beside Whistler Athletes Centre)
• Friday, March 22 – Official Training
• Saturday, March 23 – Team Sprints
• Sunday, March 24 – Interval Start – Free
• Monday, March 25 – Official Training
• Tuesday, March 26 – Interval Start – Classic
• Wednesday, March 27 – Short Sprints – Classic
• Thursday, March 28 – Long Sprints – Classic
• Friday, March 29 – Official Training
• Saturday, March 30 – Mass Start – Free

Ski Nationals 2013 would like to thank event sponsors Haywood Securities, Buff Canada, Clif Bar, The Nordic Shop of Squamish BC, Deep Cove Outdoors, Impact Canopies Canada, Q Energy, Executive Suites Hotel & Resort, the Whistler Question, The Squamish Chief, Avis, Salomon, Fischer, Swix, Nesters Market, Halti Skiwear, Sauce Headwear, Bliz Active Eyewear, One Way, Rossignol, Ski Go Wax, RC, Icebreaker, Whistler Hotels, Silverfoot, Whistler Chocolate, Whistler Brewing Company, as well as the support of the Whistler Athletes’ Centre, and Hosting BC.