March 12, 2019 (Gatineau, QC) – The 2019 Canadian Cross Country Ski Championships were officially kicked off on March 12 by Jennifer Tomlinson the Chair of Cross Country Canada, France Bélisle, Director General of Tourisme Outaouais, and Claude Laramée, the chair of the Organizing Committee. More than 800 skiers from across Canada are expected to take part in the event that runs from March 13 to 19, 2019 at the Nakkertok Nordic Ski Centre on the edge of Gatineau.

“Hosting the Canadian Championships was always a considered and logical and important step for developing the region’s skiers, after a very successful World Cup in 2016,” said Claude Laramée, Chair of ÉNGNE, the Organizing Committee. “The Outaouais region is one of the premiere cross-country ski destinations in Canada, and it is great to welcome all of the visitors to our extensive system of trails and facilities”.

The 93rd Canadian Ski Championships will crown national champions in both the junior and senior age classes. University/college competitors will also take part in the event along with a contingent of skiers from the United States skiers and 4 young racers from Norway. The races will serve as selection events for the Canadian team that will be taking part in the World Cup Finals in Quebec City, the following weekend. The Canadian team will be announced Sunday, March 17 at 7PM,  at the Canadian Museum of History (open to media).

“The Outaouais, with its 540 km of trails, is a cross-country ski destination for skiers of all levels,” added France Bélisle, Executive Director of Tourisme Outaouais. “Hosting an event the size of the Canadian Championships is not only a source of pride for the region, but also an excellent showcase for promoting our trails and encouraging visitors to experience everything the Outaouais has to offer.”

A number of skiers from the Ottawa-Gatineau area will take part in the event, including: Chelsea’s Katherine Stewart-Jones, top Canadian in 28th place at the recent World Championships: Laura Leclair also from Chelsea who picked up 4 medals at the Canada Games in Red Deer earlier this month; and Antoine Cyr, 2 silver medals at the Canada Games and 20th in the sprint at the World U23 Championships.

“The Canadian Ski Championships is our annual celebration of high-performance skiing in Canada. Having this event in the region, recognizes our leadership in building and growing our sport in the community.  We are a thriving hub for both developing Canada’s top skiers and creating an environment that gets everyone out to ski,” said  Jennifer Tomlinson, the Chair of Cross Country Canada.

Admission to the races is free.

Schedule
March 13: Interval start classic
March 14: Pursuit, skate
March 16: Sprints (Seniors/Older Juniors)
March 17: Sprints (younger Juniors)
March 18: Team Sprints
March 19: Long distance, mass start (Seniors/Older Juniors)
March 20: Long distance, mass start (younger Juniors)

Races take place starting at 9am, at 900 Ave. Gatineau in Gatineau

A full schedule is available here – website here.

About
Évènements Nordiques Gatineau Nordic Events (ÉNGNE), the Gatineau World Cup stop organizers for the 2016 Ski Tour Canada, is the organization behind the 2019 Canadian Ski Championships.

ÉNGNE is a non-profit organisation incorporated in the province of Quebec founded by local cross-country enthusiasts from three clubs and a race organisation (Chelsea Nordiq Ski Club, Nakkertok Nordic, Club Skinouk and the Gatineau Loppet are equal partners).

ÉNGNE has as its Mission to organize, promote and host major events and competitions in the field of cross-country skiing and other related sports activities aimed at offering an enriching experience for all participants and fans, promoting the practice of amateur and competitive sport and a healthy lifestyle, as well as broadening the reputation of Gatineau and the National Capital Region as a sports and cultural destination of choice.