March 6, 2007 (Whitehorse, Yukon) – Father Mouchet will be recognized for his contribution to the sport of cross-country skiing at the 2007 Canada Winter Games sprint races on today. There will be a brief tribute at 1:30 pm in the Mt. McIntyre ski stadium. Following the presentation, Father Mouchet will ski the 600 metre loop to officially open the sprints.

Father Mouchet is well known to Northerners for his dedication to the sport of cross-country skiing. The Oblate priest came to northern Canada in 1946, from his hometown of Malbuisson, France. He was initially posted to Telegraph Creek, BC and then to Old Crow YT, Inuvik NWT, Whitehorse YT, and Ross River YT.

In 1955, while living in Inuvik, Father Mouchet founded the Territorial Experimental Ski Training (TEST) program. The program soon grew and expanded to other northern communities. Many young First Nations athletes participated in the program, with impressive results. Martha Benjamin from Old Crow won the Canadian Championships in 1963. Sharon and Shirley Firth from Inuvik competed in four consecutive Winter Olympic Games. Father Mouchet not only taught skiing, he taught youth in Northern Canada the value of challenging themselves and the benefits of determination in order to reach their potential.

Father Mouchet’s contribution to sport has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally. He was inducted into the Yukon Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and received the Yukon Commissioner’s Award in 1981. The French Government awarded him the Chevalier de l’ordre National du Merite in 1987, and he received the Order of Canada in 1993.

At the age of 89 years young, Father Mouchet still skis every day and is currently working to implement a fitness program in Iskut, B.C.

The sprints have emerged as cross-country skiing’s most spectator-friendly event. The fast-paced action takes place entirely in the ski stadium. Heats of 6 skiers take part in a knockout format with the top two finishers advancing to the next round. Sport Chair Claude Chabot notes, “The sprints are going to be the most exciting spectator event of the games.”

Northwestel, presenting sponsor of Cross Country Skiing at the 2007 Canada Winter Games, will be distributing over 300 cowbells to spectators on Tuesday. The ringing of cowbells, to encourage and congratulate skiers, is a long-standing tradition originating in the European Alps.