March 05, 2011 (Vernon, BC) – Just as he opened the 2010 Olympics, Chief Fabien Alexis welcomed 1,134 athletes from 22 countries to the 2011 Sparkling Hill Masters World Cup which runs March 5-11. Participants paraded behind their flags at Silver Star Resort where the ceremonies were held. They were welcomed with singing, drumming and dancing by the Okanagan Indian Band which also sang during the opening ceremonies at the Vancouver Olympics.

There is much excitement as six days of racing are about to start. Participants spoke favorably about the courses. “We skied the 15km – it’s a good course,” said Dave Rees, former director of Cross Country Canada who is here supporting his wife Jean.

The tracks are set with 21 lanes and conditions are good, with a temperature of minus six, much better than the minus 18 degrees experienced last week by volunteers as they were setting up for these championships. Countless volunteer hours behind the scenes have led to Sovereign Lake hosting this event. Preparation of the event started five years ago when the bid was put in.

Racers are in good spirits  as the first competitions begin on Saturday. The WCup racing takes place daily from Mar. 5-11 from 9am to 3pm each day, with Tues. Mar. 8 being a rest day. The Sovereign Lake Loppet wraps the weekend up on Mar. 12. Full schedule below or visit www.mwc2011.com

Check out this pre-race video interview featuring two masters skiers from Alaska and stay tuned to SkiTrax for daily coverage of the events.

Master WCup 2011 Race Schedule

Saturday, March 5 – Medium Distance – Free Technique
– 30 km (2 x 15) Men 01-06 (age 30-59)
– 15 km (1 x 15) Men 07-09 (age 60-74)
– 10 km (2 x 5) Men 10-12 (age 75+)
– 15 km (1 x 15) Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
– 10 km (2 x 5) Women 09-12 (age 70+)
– Team Captains Meeting 5 pm
– Awards Ceremony 6 pm

Sunday, March 6 – Medium Distance – Classic
– 30 km (2 x 15) Men 01-06 (age 30-59)
– 15 km (1 x 15) Men 07-09 (age 60-74)
– 10 km (2 x 5) Men 10-12 (age 75+)
– 15 km (1 x 15) Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
– 10 km (2 x 5) Women 09-12 (age 70+)
– Team Captains Meeting 5 pm
– Awards Ceremony 6 pm

Monday, March 7 – Short Distance – Classic
– 10 km (1 x 10) Men 01-09 (age 30-74)
– 5 km (1 x 5) Men 10-12 (age 75+)
– 10 km (1 x 10) Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
– 5 km (1 x 5) Women 09-12 (age 70+)
Short Distance – Free Technique
– 10 km (1 x 10) Men 01-09 (age 30-74)
– 5 km (1 x 5) Men 10-12 (age 75+)
– 10 km (1 x 10) Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
– 5 km (1 x 5) Women 09-12 (age 70+)
– Awards Ceremony 6 pm
– Mountain Film Festival 7 pm Vernon (see Events Page HERE)

March 8 – Rest Day
– WMA Meeting 9 am (NATC at Silver Star)
– Team Captains Meeting following WMA meeting
– Check out region page HERE for exciting touring events

March 9 – Relays
– Relays 4 x 5km (legs 1 & 2 Classic, legs 3 & 4 Free technique) – Men and Women
– Team Captains Meeting 5 pm
– Awards Ceremony 6 pm

March 10 – Long Distance – Free Technique
– 45 km (3 x 15) Men 01-06 (age 30-59)
– 30 km (2 x 15) Men 07-09 (age 60-74)
– 15 km ((3 x 5) Men 10-12 (age 75+)
– 30 km (2 x 15) Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
– 15 km (3 x 5) Women 09-12 (age 70+)
– Team Captains Meeting 5 pm
– Awards Ceremony 6 pm

March 11 – Long Distance – Classic
– 45 km (3 x 15) Men 01-06 (age 30-59)
– 30 km (2 x 15) Men 07-09 (age 60-74)
– 15 km ((3 x 5) Men 10-12 (age 75+)
– 30 km (2 x 15) Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
– 15 km (3 x 5) Women 09-12 (age 70+)
– Awards Ceremony 3 pm
– Banquet and closing ceremony 6:30 pm (Wesbild Centre, Vernon)

March 12 – Sovereign Lake Loppet – Free Technique – 30km, 15km
Sovereign Lake Loppet (see Sovereign Lake Loppet HERE and Register for the Loppet HERE)
– Mass start at 10 am.
– Awards ceremony at Sovereign Lake following end of race. Registration closes Wed March 9