May 25, 2013 – After an extensive review of three applications, the Cross Country Canada events committee is pleased to announce that Lake Superior Nordic Ski Association will play host to the 2015 Haywood Ski Nationals at the Lappe Nordic Ski Centre.

Host to two highly successful NorAm Selection Trial races over the past four seasons, Lappe will again welcome skiers from across Canada to the friendly trails just outside of Thunder Bay, Ont.

“The Selection Committee was especially impressed with the solid leadership group outlined in the bid package,” said Dave Dyer, events director, Cross Country Canada.  “We witnessed tremendous commitment by volunteers and staff this past season as members of the ski community shoveled and trucked snow in from a wide area around Thunder Bay to ensure the World Jr./World U23 Trials could be held.  There was virtually no snow at the Thunder Bay airport when we arrived, yet the Lake Superior Nordic Association staged three great days of racing at Lappe Nordic.”

Freshly homologated to FIS standards, the trails at Lappe will provide a variety of options for both senior and junior skiers at the 88th running of the National Championship event.

“We are extremely excited about being able to host the Ski Nationals in Thunder Bay again.  It is a big event that will require lots of volunteers, but the Thunder Bay ski community is known for  its volunteerism and supporting events such as this.  Showing skiers from all over Canada how vibrant  the Lappe Nordic Ski Centre is for 10 days, as well as creating an athlete centred event gives us, the Local Organizing Committee great pride.  We are committed to upholding the “Lappe Standard” of excellence in race hosting,” said Werner Schwar, co –chair of the Local Organizing Committee.

Lappe Nordic Ski Centre last hosted the combined junior and senior Ski Nationals in 2006 when Alex Harvey dominated the junior men’s category by winning four gold medals. Local skier, and current Big Thunder Nordic coach, Adam Kates picked up the senior men’s aggregate trophy as the best all round senior skier in the event.  At the same competition, current National Team skier, Dasha Gaiasova, dominated the open women’s field with a perfect four individual gold medals while representing Quebec at that time.  Prior to 2006, Lappe hosted the Canadian Junior Championships in 2000.

Lappe Nordic Ski Centre owner,  Reijo Puiras beams:  “it gives me great pride to see all the young skiers in Canada racing on these trails…..  We’ve worked hard over the years to offer challenging trails in all snow conditions.  This past season was a great test for that!”

Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 55,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities, including those on Canada’s National Ski Teams and Para-Nordic Ski Teams. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Haywood Securities, AltaGas, Statoil and Canadian Pacific – along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2ten, Cross Country Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on Cross Country Canada, please visit us at www.cccski.com.

Lakehead Superior Nordic Association (LSNA) is a partnership of the Lappe Nordic and   Big Thunder Nordic Ski Clubs formed in 2011.   The association is responsible for bidding for and hosting major provincial and national cross country ski races in Thunder Bay.

The 2014 Haywood Ski Nationals will be held at the Blow Me Down Ski Club in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador between March 15-23, 2014.