December 15, 2006 – Calgary-Olympic cross-country ski heroes, Beckie Scott, Sara Renner and Milaine Theriault, will be making their tracks across the country to inspire and support young Canadian skiers, and attract new children to the sport at Cross Country Canada’s ski tournaments, thanks to a new partnership with Canadian Pacific Railway, the national body announced on Thursday.

The CPR Ski Tournament is a component of Cross Country Canada’s skill development program coined, “Track Attack.” The initiative is part of the national framework designed to support and foster the development of cross-country skiers in Canada. Established in 2005 with a plan leading to 2010, the ski tournaments are a one-day festival of ski relays, sprints and special activities that encourage participation in a fun environment.

“Holding these children’s ski tournaments is crucial, and an advantageous tool for Cross Country Canada to introduce new children to the sport, and motivate the next generation of world-class athletes,” said Al Maddox, executive director, Cross Country Canada, who added that more than 3,000 youth from 25 selected clubs across the country participated in the program last year. “The support of CPR has enabled us to add a significant component to six tournament events by including the presence of an Olympic role model.”

Three-time Olympians Scott, Renner and Theriault will each participate in two of the six selected events across the country. The Olympic athletes will provide an impetus for greater sport development through on-snow training, coaching, and autograph signings, while providing support, guidance and experienced advice. Scott and Theriault retired from the sport this spring, while Renner is taking the year off from competitive racing to have a baby.

“This is an exciting, new program that will have a direct contribution to attracting and developing new talent for Canada in a sport which we have demonstrated great success”, said Paul Clark, vice- president, communications & public affairs, CPR. “Our employees are proud to be associated with athletes of the reputation and calibre of Beckie, Milaine and Sara, who have demonstrated the values and ethics that make our country great.”

In addition to the on-snow participation, the Olympic athletes are also committed to an evening fundraising event that reaches the broader cross-country ski community in each host location. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be shared by the host club, and Right to Play – an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play as a tool for the development of children and youth in the most disadvantaged areas of the world.

“Having new opportunities to pursue excellence through sport will change the lives of aspiring Olympians in every corner of this country,” said Beckie Scott, who is an athlete ambassador for Right to Play. “This much-needed funding will enhance the ski tournament programs, and give young children from different regions of the country the ability to interact with Olympic role models.”

To launch CPR’s involvement in the ski tournament program, Scott and her teammates joined dozens of young aspiring athletes from the Foothills Nordic Ski Club in Calgary on the world’s longest ski train in an attempt to set a new Guinness world record. The special 108-metre long skis, propelled by 108 skiers over 100 metres, were provided in cooperation with the Keskinada World Loppet and the Norwegian Embassy.

Cross Country Canada will send the exploit to the Guinness Book of World Records for consideration. The existing record for longest skis made measures 104.8 metres, and were worn by 101 ski instructors in Selva Gardena, Italy.

Although it took a while for the train to get going on Thursday, the Track Attack cross-country tour has left the station for the trio of Olympians. Olympic silver medallist, Sara Renner, began the tour in Yellowknife, December 9. The following is a complete schedule of the CPR Ski Tournaments, and athlete participation across the country this winter:

DATE CLUB/LOCATION ATHLETE

– December 9 Yellowknife Ski Club, Yellowknife, NWT Sara Renner

– January 6 Overlander Ski Club, Kamloops, B.C. Sara Renner

– January 20 Cross Country Saskatchewan, Humboldt, Sask. Beckie Scott

– January 26 Foothills Nordic Ski Club, Bragg Creek, Alta. Beckie Scott

– March 10 Menihek Nordic Ski Club, Labrador City, Nfld. Milaine Theriault

– March 17 Temiskaming Ski Club, New Liskeard, Ont. Milaine Theriault


Canadian Pacific Railway, through the ingenuity of it’s employees located across Canada and in the United States, intends to be the safest, and most fluid railway in North America. Our people are the key to delivering innovative transportation solutions to our customers and to ensuring the safe operation of our trains through the more than 900 communities where we operate. Our combined ingenuity makes CPR a better place to work, rail a better way to ship, and North America a better place to live.

Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada. Its 45,000 members are athletes, coaches and officials, including members of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team and Canadian Disabled Cross-Country Ski Team. Cross-country skiing is Canada’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually.