February 2, 2007 – Beckie Scott, one of the most accomplished Canadian cross-country skiers in history skied in the 3rd Foothills Nordic Ski Club cross-country ski tournament on Jan 26, 2007. Foothills Nordic Ski Club (FNSC) hosted the event as an elementary school recruitment event.

The tournament day included 237 kids from Banded Peak School from Bragg Creek, AB, Ralph McColl School from Airdrie, AB, and club skiers from the Foothills Nordic Ski Club and Canmore Nordic Ski Club. After leading the warm-up with all of the kids, Beckie was the first racer of the day on the 400m sprint course. At lunch, Beckie did a question and answer session with all of the kids, followed by autograph signing on specially designed postcards. All of the students received a full day or two half days (5-6 hours total) of instruction from certified coaches or high performance athletes from Foothills Nordic Ski Club.

The kids participated in three skiing events over the day; a 400m sprint, elimination heats, and a 4*1km relay event. Banded Peak School was awarded the ‘Foothills Cup’, a trophy that recognises participation, effort, finish results, and team spirit. Kids received medals and ribbons for their performances donated by Kamp Kiwanis near Bragg Creek, draw prizes from the Alberta Cross Country World Cup Society and Foothills Nordic Ski Club, t-shirts from Cross Country Ski Canada, and autographs from their favourite ski Olympian!

The day was a partnership between many different organisations. The organising committee would like to thank Kamp Kiwanis (for providing the ski equipment and financial sponsorship to the event), the Foothills Nordic Ski Club (for being the host ski club), Cross Country Alberta (for providing transportation funds), Cross Country Canada (for offering the program and providing t-shirts to all of the kids), Canadian Pacific Railways (for making it possible for Beckie to be at the event), Banded Peak School Council (for financial support), Bragg Creek Physiotherapy (for leading a stretching workshop with the kids), and Parents, Teachers, Administrators, Caretakers from the participating schools.

This was a day that kids will remember for a long time. A day focused on having fun on snow and doing your best. It was remarkable to have Beckie Scott at the event. She took time to talk to every child that approached her. Her humble, friendly, and confident presence was an inspiration to all of the students, teachers, parents, and volunteers who spent time with her. Thank you to all involved for helping to create an incredible day for our children!

To get a sense of the day, picture 237 kids, mostly novice skiers, most who do not have their own gear and parents there, and most who have never been in a ski race before, and add an exciting buzz in the air that we are part of a really special event – then you’ll get an idea of the exciting event that took place. Our hope is that by hosting school based recruitment initiatives our club will be able to recruit new skiers at an age when propensity for learning motor skills is high.

Beckie also spoke at an evening fundraising dinner at Kamp Kiwanis, near Bragg Creek, on Friday evening, Jan 26, where her audience were able to get some insight into her personal story of her road to being the best in the world at her chosen vocation. This remarkable event rose over $1200 for Right to Play, an international charitable organisation dedicated to providing recreational opportunities and improving communities in underprivileged areas of the world. The Kiwanis Club of Calgary Kamp Kiwanis donated $500 to Right to Play in a presentation at the end of the evening. Also, children from Banded Peak School, Bragg Creek, presented Beckie with a number of posters based on their research about Right to Play.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make Beckie Scott’s visit to the Foothills Nordic Ski Club’s Bragg Creek elementary school ski tournament a memorable and exciting event! And of course, a special thank you to Beckie, for being such a remarkable, friendly, and gracious role model for others.