April 04, 2014 (Labrador City, NL) –  The Canadian Masters Championships were recently hosted by the Menihek Nordic Ski Club in Labrador City from March 24th to 29th 2014. Fifty eight competitors came from all parts of Canada, from furthest west from Courtenay, BC to furthest east from St. Johns to compete.

One couple even drove all the way from Magnetawan, ON, a small town about three hundred kilometres north of Toronto. Another came from Bethel, Maine. In all, every province except Manitoba and the three territories were represented. All of these hearty souls, ranging in age from 35 to 75 years, gathered for a week of races in rather cold conditions at the Menihek Ski Club trails, a few kilometres outside Labrador City. The snow was cold and “squeaky” but in ample supply and with the warm, Labradorian hospitality everyone forgot about the cold and lack of glide of the skis.

Several of the Masters skiers also entered the Great Labrador Loppet on the Saturday just prior to the start of the actual championships and enjoyed a ski over 10, 28 or 50 kms. Four hardy souls did the full 50 kms! A super banquet was held in the evening after the loppet which included T bone steaks grilled over a large open fire pit inside the daylodge of the local alpine ski hill – very tasty for sure even though smoke filled the room and the fire alarms responded promptly! Baked potatoes, salad, cole slaw and cake – heavy duty chocolate being the favourite, filled out the menu.

A Meet and Greet was held the next evening (Sun.) at the Labrador West Arts and Cultural Centre amid some very nice artwork hanging about the walls. The usual drinks and food wereserved but this time the food was exquisite – prepared and volunteered by Charlotte who also did double duty for the championships acting as event coordinator and general fix-all along with Bea Whittle, Menihek Manager. Entertainment was provided by a local allwomen harmony group.

Day one (Mon.) of the competition schedule had us doing a 20 km classic race for both men and women at about -21C (considerably warmer than the overnight low of -37 C with a windchill of -47 C) around noon. It seemed that global warming had definitely taken a holiday.

However the wind died and the clear blue sky, sunshine and calm allowed the race to go on and everyone worked up an appetite for lunch. Lunches were provided at the ski lodge on race days and consisted of either moose or beef soup, depending on one’s choice along with an array of delectable sandwiches and cookies to die for. Of course coffee, the skier’s rocket fuel, was always on tap with tea and hot chocolate for those wanting less “kick”.

Awards were presented shortly thereafter in front of the clubhouse on a real podium after Bruce LeGrow, National Director and Gerry Rideout, Organizing Committee Chairperson, sang (sort of!) the Newfoundland and Labrador “national” anthem. A draw was held for two prizes – a jar of peanut butter (without the bread but with a plastic spoon!) and a bottle of Screech. Robin Butler of Saskatchewan won the Screech.

Day two (Tues.) was a day off with some skiing ending in a filling pasta dinner at the club house starting at 5 pm.

Day two of competition (Wed.) had us doing only one lap of the Monday race track, 10 km, again for both men and women. Temperatures were warming a little to reach a high at race time of -15 C or so. Lunch after the races again fuelled up some hungry masters and offered another opportunity for chat and gossip – the usual discussion on wax and skis of course! The awards were given out once more and against all odds (who could guess?) Cathy Butler, wife of Robin Butler, won the bottle of Screech. As
one person remarked they did not even have enough time to finish the first bottle won by Robin!

Day three of competition (Thurs.) dawned cold again and at race time (noon) the temperature was about -17C with a brutal wind producing a windchill of -29C. It was the 10 km skate race on a new course with seemingly more uphill and many groused about the minuscule glide on the cold snow on the way up to “Alf’s Summit” which was only one of several summits as we found out! However we all survived and in the warmth of the clubhouse and with warm soup, sandwiches, cookies and coffee warming our innards the grunt up to Alf’s Summit did not seem so daunting. At the awards Joe Kryger, from Ontario, won the Screech breaking the Butler winning streak. Charlotte swears that she had drawn his name before many of the tickets took flight in the biting wind – we believe her of course!

At 4:00 pm the AGM of the Canadian Masters was held at the Two Seasons Hotel (the two seasons being snow and no snow!). Amongst other business, Bruce LeGrow was re-elected as National Director for another two year term. Minutes will be published later. The evening was capped off by finger food, fish cakes and drinks at the K Bar in town where a local band pounded out good old Newfie songs and ballads.

On Friday a mine tour was offered to visit the Iron Ore Company of Canada open pit operations. Of course iron ore is the reason for Labrador City’s existence – not just the long ski  season!

Day four of competition (Sat.) had the 20 km skate race for all – TWO times up to Alf’s Summit and beyond! Diabolical at best and apparently some expletives not suitable for public consumption were uttered by some but again all survived and repaired to the lodge once again for goodies. Temperatures were the warmest of the week at -9 C but a 35 kph wind added a little bite! Corn chowder was added to the usual sandwiches and cookies at lunch and at the awards Dave King of Newfoundland won the Screech.

A closing banquet was held at the curling club With speeches by the town mayor and the Provincial Member for the area. Gerry Rideout was honoured for his recent induction to the Newfoundland-Labrador Sports Hall of Fame – a well-deserved recognition for sure! Dancing followed to close off the day.

All in all it was a great week and great big thank you is in order to the volunteers who worked to make it all happen. The tracks were perfect and good signage made the proper choice of directions easy. Timing was accurate and published quickly in hard copy and on zone 4. The stadium was well organized and the wave starts produced no problems. Drink stations and course marshalls were appreciated fully. The clubhouse kitchen and the ladies therein provided some wonderful food. Gerry Rideout and team did a superb job and again thanks to all. Results, with race officials noted, can be accessed on zone4.ca.

Results: Day 1
Results: Day 2
Results: Day 3
Results: Day 4

CBC Radio Interview: http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/Newfoundland/Labrador+Morning/ID/2445260833/

CBC TV news broadcast “Here & Now”: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/NL/Here+and+Now/ID/2444314640/?page=2 (fast forward to 1:06)