November 4, 2005 – With just over six weeks to go until the World Cup, you can probably imagine all the last minute preparations underway. Not to mention the major refurbishment the Canmore Nordic Centre (CNC) has undergone over this past year. With all the new technology installed, the CNC will be one of the finest Cross Country Ski facilities in the world, meeting both international and Olympic standards. What an excellent way to set the stage, for the first international cross-country ski event in Alberta, since the 1989 World Cup.

Considering the complexity of organizing and coordinating a World Cup, you have to wonder who is making some of the decisions! Over the next several weeks, we are pleased to introduce to you, each of the six Chiefs who have joined forces to create the 2005 Alberta Centennial World Cup Competition Committee (Major Chiefs). This is your chance to get to know them a little better, and read what they have to say about being a part of the World Cup, including some interesting advice for their volunteers.

With fifty one days to go, Mike Verdiel is up to his ears in last minute preparations. Somehow he found the time to answer a few questions for me. Here is what he had to say.

Name: Mike Verdiel
Place of Residence: Calgary, AB
Position: Chief of Timing

What does your position involve?
I am responsible for the accurate and verifiable capture of race results. I make sure that there are volunteers and the necessary equipment to fill all the timing jobs, including; Start and Finish, Electronic and Manual timing, and Results Calculation and Distribution. All data is captured redundantly (both manually and electronically) to ensure that a breakdown in any component does not interfere with the final collection and computation of results.

Areas of responsibility are: Race set-up, Seeding and draws, Start lists, Starting, Time and bib data, capture, Finish order capture, Data entry, Results computing, Printing and posting of results, Posting of results to the Internet.

One difference for the World Cup is that a FIS (International Ski Federation) timing team sponsored by Epson/WIGE performs responsibilities 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10. So we don’t need to provide the technology, computing and reporting services. Other than making sure that Epson/WIGE have all the resources they need to set up, our volunteers are responsible for numbers 4-7.

When and how did you get involved in x-country skiing?
I originally became involved in timing as a parent volunteer, sometime after 1992 when my children started skiing with Foothills Nordic Ski Club (FNSC). In 1997, I was asked to represent FNSC with the Bow Corridor Regional Race Series (BCRRS), which sets up half a dozen races each winter for Peewee to Juvenile aged racers from Calgary, Canmore and Banff. I passed this job on when I became FNSC Treasurer in 1999. I have continued to help as a parent volunteer since then, including working with the Zone4 program, which was developed by Dan Roycroft of the National Ski Team and purchased by FNSC. I continue as an advisor to other clubs in Alberta on the use of Zone4 in their events and at the last Alberta Winter Games in Peace River.

What makes you stay involved?
I continue to stay involved because it allows me to support a group of very dedicated and self-motivated youth (and volunteers), in a sport that has no easy way to success. These days most youth don’t walk to school, the rink, the soccer field, or even the corner store. Most don’t participate in sports that are not organized as a team. These young cross-country skiers get out, train, and race in sometimes quite appalling conditions. Though they receive excellent coaching and support, in the end their success depends solely on their own drive and determination. On top of this, I have found them to be outstanding individuals in their own right. Maybe because they don’t have time outside of training to get into trouble, but more because the personality characteristics that keep them persevering in cross-country also keep them centred and self-directed. I also admire the supportiveness of individuals (skiers and volunteers) between clubs. I don’t recall ever seeing or hearing bad-mouthing between competitors or heckling by parents, which is so often prevalent in the “team” sports.

To date, what has been the highlight for you?
The highlight of my involvement with cross-country skiing has been the opportunity over many years, to see the progression of young people starting out as Jackrabbits and developing into leaders, within their clubs, communities, and often as members of the Provincial and National ski teams.

When you’re not involved with x-country skiing, how do you spend your time?
Currently, I also serve as Treasure of the Foothills Nordic Ski Club and as Treasure of the Cross Country World Cup Society. These jobs are independent and are probably more time consuming than Chief of Timing.

What excites you about being part of the 2005 World Cup?
I had the opportunity, as part of the preparation for the Alberta Centennial World Cup, to attend the World Championships in Oberstdorf last February. It would be wonderful to achieve even a portion of that excitement in a Canadian venue, with our own top skiers participating. I was privileged to be in the front row just before the finish line when Sara Renner overhauled the third place Swedish skier 20 meters from the finish, and charged up on the second place Swedish skier missing the Silver medal by less than half a metre. Even when we don’t get a medal, it is a real thrill to hear the announcers voice shouting “Canada! Canada!” as a Canadian skier leads in early laps through the stadium. On top of this, we will be able to show the rest of the world our world-class racecourses being developed as an Alberta Centennial project at the Canmore Nordic Centre. We will have the most modern snowmaking and lighted trails available. And whether our skiers are on the podium or not, the European racers will know that they have been in a real race, on a course ranking with the most challenging in the circuit.


Can you give a tip for the volunteers involved with the World Cup?
Remember that although we need to be accurate due to the profile of this event on the international stage, this will actually be easier to run than most Alberta Cup or BCRR races, because each day there is only one category and distance for each gender. Dress warmly. Consider bringing a piece of carpet to stand on if you will be on the snow for long periods. Don’t get up tight. We have lots of redundancy and no mistake is fatal. Have fun!