November 28, 2006 – The Banff Ski Runners club, of Banff Alberta, led the medal count at the first Canada Cup races of the season held at Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre in British Columbia. With a total of 5 gold medals (11 total) Banff Ski Runners were just ahead of Edmonton Nordic Ski Club (4 Gold, 6 total) and Foothills Nordic Ski Club (3 Gold, 7 total). Banff Ski Runners had a total of nine athletes win medals, including Junior National Team member, Haakon Lenes. Club coach, Anders Lenes, says this dominant early season performance indicates the depth of the Banff Ski Runners club.

In Sunday’s pursuit race, led by Graeme Killick (gold) and Gerard Garnier (bronze), Banff Ski Runners placed six athletes in the top eight skiers in the Junior boys category. The Banff Ski Runners also won silver and bronze in the Juvenile Girls, and gold in Juvenile Boys and Midget Boys. During the sprint races in Saturday’s plunging temperatures the Banff Ski Runners also succeeded in placing four skiers on the podium. The Banff Ski Runners will take to the trails in Canmore, Alberta on Thursday, November 30 – Sunday, December 3 in for the next set of Canada Cup races. For more information on the Banff Ski Runners please go to www.banffskirunners.net or email info@banffskirunners.net.