February 01, 2016 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC) – Race Day 2 at the Haywood NorAm in Mont-Ste-Anne included pursuit, skate races. The races were a dress rehearsal for the 4th event in Ski Tour Canada 2016. It was a warmer day today at about -1c overcast and humid. The track was firm but a tad “greasy” but the athletes were really looking forward to the excitement of the pursuit style.

Men's leaders starting in front of the chalet built as the race building for the 1979 World Junior Championships © CCC

Yesterday Bob Thompson of Team Hardwood had just edged Andy Shields of Lappe for first place by .3 seconds. Today they would begin today’s pursuit race together, 14 seconds up on another Lappe skier, Michael Somppi.

Men's wave start © CCC

Somppi would quickly catch up to his NDC T Bay teammates and they had a significant gap to the pack at 2k.

It was Andy Shield’s day as he broke away from the lead group to finish with a 44.9 second margin over his Lappe teammate Evan Palmer-Charette.

Ian Murray of North Highlands Nordic, N.S. leads part of the main pack © CCC

Palmer Charette grabbed 2nd but it was only by 1/10th of a second in a photo finish over Lifesport’s Brian McKeever. Brian had a great race, matching Andy’s pace for most of the race, and finishing with the second fastest time of the day by a little over a second.

Brian passed up a trip to the Para-Nordic Asian Cup races in PyeongChang Korea (2018 Paralympic venue) in a quest to qualify for Ski Tour Canada 2016.

Evan Palmer-Charette (blue) outlunges Brian McKeever for 2nd © CCC

The 3rd fastest time of the day went to Black Jack’s David Palmer, only 4 seconds back of Shields in 6th overall.

Today’s win should move Andy into 2nd place on the Haywood NorAm standings, about 50 points back from Kevin Sandau the present leader.

Andy Shields cruising to the win © CCC

Audio interview with Andy Shields

Sr. Men's podium © CCC

The top junior was Skibec’s Philippe Boucher, followed by his teammate Antoine Blais and Joey Foster of Team Hardwood.

Junior skier Olivier Hamel of host club Skibec early in the race © CCC

Audio interview with Philippe Boucher

Jr. Men's podium © CCC

At the start of the women’s race Cendrine Browne of Fondeurs Laurentides had a 7 second advantage over Sophie Carrier-Laforte of Skinouk.

Cendrine Browne © CCC

Much like the case with Andy Shields there wasn’t much of a challenge from the chasers and she skied through the finish with a comfortable 1 minute and 29 second lead, for her second gold this weekend.

Today’s win should move her into the lead position on the Haywood NorAm standings.

Back down the trail however there was some close competition. Frédérique Vézina of Mont Ste. Anne formed a chase group with her junior aged teammate Marie Corriveau, Annika Hicks of Canmore, and Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt of Fondeurs Laurentides.

Annika Hicks of Canmore leading Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt © CCC

As the race reached it’s final stages Bouffard-Nesbitt broke away to claim silver, 6 seconds ahead of Hicks, who finished 3rd.

Audio interview with Cendrine Browne

Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt leads Annika Hicks in the final kilometre © CCC

Marie Corriveau was the top junior in 4th overall followed by 6th place Isabella Howden and 7th place Zoë Williams of Nakkertok.

Sr. Women's podium © CCC

Audio interview with Marie Corriveau

Jr. Women's podium © CCC

Results here.

More great pictures from Saturday’s races here.

Next up on the schedule, World Cup racing in Drammen, Norway on Wednesday. Check an upcoming Haywood LIVE Report for details on that and the Haywood Eastern Canadian Championships, from Nakkertok Ski club, Cantley, Quebec.