April 1, 2006 – As Nationals came to an end, people departed in three directions. Most people headed home to rest with Nationals marking the end of their ski season, while others were headed southeast to Presque Isle Maine for the American spring series. The remainder headed to the great white north to Whitehorse, Yukon for the Northwestel Western Canadian Championships – Haywood Cup.

I was one of the racers who had an opportunity to travel north. When I think of the north I think of unparalleled cold and when I stepped off the plane I was not disappointed. The temperature on the runway was -25 and that was not the coldest to come. In the next couple of days before the first race the temperature would dip as low as -38 with a wind chill at times making the temperature below –45. The first race was delayed to the following day but that allowed the cold front to pass and racing to go on as planned.

With three races in a row to end the season all of us were pretty tired by the end of the week. That did not stop us though from a wonderful ski the day after the last race. We skied a 35 km loop up to Mt. McIntyre, including 7 km of trail breaking through mid-shin deep snow. The ski was an incredible way to end a great trip.

Whitehorse did a wonderful job with the pre-Canada Games event and I am sure they will put on a great event next year with all of Canada watching. I would like to thank the race organizers as well as Alain Masson for showing us a great time.