January 20, 2008 – Ivan Babikov received his Canadian citizenship this past Friday (Jan 18th, 2008), marking the end of a long trek that starting in May 2003. Babikov immigrated to Canada with his mother in the hopes of pursuing his ski career with the Canadian Program and represent Canada at the Olympic Winter Games. He joined his sister in Toronto (who was already a Canadian citizen since 2001) upon his arrival in the spring, and moved to Canmore in fall, joining X-C.com for the 2003-04 season.

Babikov went on to dominate the Continental Cup circuits (Canada Cup/SuperTour) for the next two seasons until his nomination to the 2010 National Ski Team Program in the week leading up to the 2005 FIS World Cup in Canmore. He finished an impressive 4th overall in the 15km skate event, racing in a Canadian National Ski Team but under a Russian FIS license – all part of a joint Canada/Russia agreement! He went on to represent Russia at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, finishing 13th in the 30km Pursuit event and capping a great 2005/06 winter.

In the summer of 2006, an unsuccessful bid to fast-track his citizenship resulted in the termination of Babikov’s funding from both Cross-Country Canada and Own the Podium. With his wife and son to support, he had little options to generate income other than to return to compete for Russia for the 2006-07 season. But his reintegration into the Russian Program proved more difficult than planned, and Ivan struggle through the winter with mediocre results.

Spring 2007 saw Ivan’s mother become a Canadian citizen, motivating the Babikov family to make the conscious commitment to Canada “no matter what the consequences”. After relocating to Canmore, AB, he rejoined Team X-C.com in early summer, allowing him to focus on his own training program and needs. He started the season with renewed energy, winning every single distance race he started in North America.

Motivated by the upcoming World Cup, continued progress was made by Babikov’s supporters until the eventual ‘notice to appear to take his oath of citizenship’ this past Friday – and just in the nick of time!

Ivan also received confirmation on Friday by FIS Race Director, Jurg Capol that he will be able to start in the Canmore Word Cup as the COC-NorAm Leader position for men (Ivan replaces Alex Harvey as the points leader as he is not able to compete in World Cups during this period due to injury). Although he is now a Canadian citizen, Babikov is still competing under a Russian FIS license and therefore obligated to uphold some Russian Team guidelines (so look for Ivan in a Russian National Team suit for the course of the Canmore FIS World Cup).

Congratulations Ivan – good luck in the upcoming week of events!