November 20, 2014 (Canmore, AB) – As we enter a new Olympic quadrennial, Canada is searching for our next generation of World Cup athletes. We have a strong group of developing athletes but they need to gain international experience and be given chances to break through onto the World Cup. In recent years it has been a challenge for development level athletes to transition to the World Cup level. This season Cross-Country Ski de fond Canada (CCC) has created more international racing opportunities for development athletes, but they come at a high cost.  Participating athletes will have to pay a substantial portion of trip fees. A development athlete who participates in these opportunities could pay more than $10,000 in trip fees in addition to their normal training centre or club team fees and other training/living expenses.

CCC has created a new fundraising campaign that will directly benefit these aspiring World Cup skiers. All donations to the Canadian Excellence Fund will go directly toward lowering trip fees for athletes meeting the selection criteria for CCC convergence trips in 2015. This will make it financially more feasible for our athletes to take advantage of these opportunities and compete with the World’s best skiers in Europe. Funds raised will support development athletes at the Tour de Ski, World Ski Championships, January-March World Cups and European B-Tour trips.

Individual fundraising is difficult and requires significant time and energy. The vision for the Canadian Excellence Fund is to rally the Canadian ski community to stand with our next generation of skiers and help them reach the next level of excellence by removing some of the financial burden.

All donations over $25 will receive a charitable donation tax receipt. Donations of $250 and greater will receive a handwritten thank you from an athlete that has benefited from the fund.

This fundraising campaign will end Dec.31, 2014. Any donations received after the deadline will be used for the 2015-2016 season.

Donate HERE.

Thank you for believing in our athletes!