January 22, 2018 (Red Deer, AB) – After 2 days of intense, individual start racing at the Haywood NorAm Western Canadian Championships, visiting Team BC had taken a slim 130 point lead 3337 to 3207 going into the final day of competitions.  Saskatchewan was in third with 484 points aided on Day 2 by a strong Para-Nordic showing.

The race venue at River Bend Recreation Area, site of next year’s Canada Winter Games cross-country events, was ready to go early with temperatures around -8 deg. C.

The Open men’s race initially saw a close competition between Ontario and B.C. in the skate, 3 person relays. On the final leg however it was yesterday’s winner, Andy Shields of Lappe, (Ontario) that skied to the win, by a 20 second margin over Greg Kilroy of Telemark (B.C.). Alberta took the bronze.

Andy Shields was joined on the Ontario team by Barrie XC’s Scott Hill and another Lappe team member Michael Somppi.

The Open Women’s race was dominated by the Alberta team of Annika Hicks (Canmore), Emma Camicioli (Rocky Mountain Racers), and Zina Kocher (Foothills). A young B.C. team finished 2nd and Alberta also had the third fastest team across the line.

The final determination of the Haywood NorAm Western Canadian Champions came down to the wire, and had to wait until the end of the day after the Midget Relays were completed. After British Columbia held on to a slim 60 points lead, Alberta came back strong to be crowned 2018 Champions by an 80 points lead over BC taking home the Fisher Swix Cup! Congratulations.

The Haywood NorAm circuit will now move to the Ottawa/Gatineau region, Feb. 2-4, for the Eastern Canadian Championships at Nakkertok Nordic. The race will also double as a U.S. Super Tour, National Race series event.

Results

More photos of the 2018 Haywood Western Championships!