October 30, 2018 (Canmore, AB) – The race season officially got underway at the Canmore Nordic Centre as Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse Ski Club/AIAWCA-NST) and Lenny Valjas (Team Hardwood/CNST) took top honours in the Kings Court Heats at Frozen Thunder 2018.

Beautiful conditions greeting skier for the annual pilgrimage to Canmore for the 10th annual event. Conditions were cold and fast thanks to freezing temperatures overnight. Beatty was the top qualifier for the women while Russell Kennedy (Canmore NordicTeam R.A.D.Canada) topped the men’s field.

As the Kings Court elimination rounds got underway it was Beatty and Valjas who prevailed. Hannah Mehain (Telemark Nordic/BC Ski Team) took second in the final followed by Katie Weaver (Hollyburn Ski Club/Rocky Mountain Racers) in third.

Dominique Moncion-Groulx (Nakkertok Nordique (QC)/Team R.A.D.) grabbed the silver in the Open Men’s race followed by Andy Shields (Lappe Nordic) in third. Black Jack’s Molly Miller won the junior women’s race while Tallon Noble (Strathcona NordicTelemark) was the fastest junior man.

Results (brief)

Senior Men
1. Lenny Valjas (Team Hardwood/CNST)
2. Dominique Moncion-Groulx (Nakkertok Nordique (QC)/Team R.A.D.)
3. Andy Shields (Lappe Nordic)

Senior Women
1. Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse Ski Club/AIAWCA-NST)
2. Hannah Mehain (Telemark Nordic/BC Ski Team)
3. Katie Weaver (Hollyburn Ski Club/Rocky Mountain Racers)

Full results here.