December 20, 2005 – here is the synopsis of nomination decisions by the CCC for the 2006 Olympic Games.

1. CCC’s Selection Policy – 2006 Winter Games sets out two options for nomination to the Canadian team for the 2006 OWG:

a. Primary qualifying criteria – during the 2004/05 season; and

b. Alternate qualifying criteria – during World Cup races in December 2005.

2. Eight athletes – five men and three women – have qualified for nomination under the primary qualifying criteria:

a. Beckie Scott.
b. Sara Renner.
c. Milaine Theriault.
d. George Grey.
e. Devon Kershaw.
f. Drew Goldsack.
g. Dan Roycroft.
h. Chris Jeffries.

3. The Selection Committee met on December 19, 2006, to consider the nomination of athletes based on the alternate qualifying criteria described in section 5 of CCC’s Selection Policy – 2006 Winter Games.

4. Athletes were ranked in accordance with section 5 and the list was annotated as to whether the athletes’ performances had met the specified standards of 60 FIS points for men and 90 FIS points for women.

5. As described in Section 3.3.c) the maximum team size that will be nominated in a situation where athletes are being nominated on the basis of alternate qualifying criteria is 12 athletes.

6. As the results achieved in the selection races by male athletes demonstrated a higher potential to achieve the goals of selection as stated in section 3.1 of the Selection Policy, the Selection Committee decided to limit the nomination of women to the minimum team size of five as identified in the Policy. This left the potential to nominate up to seven men.

Selection Process for Men

7.The minimum team size of five men was met under the primary qualifying criteria. Therefore, the Committee evaluated the need and the desirability of nominating additional athletes in accordance with section 6.1.c) Priority #3.
8. Five men met the specified FIS points standard – two in sprint and three in distance. In determining which athletes merited nomination, the Selection Committee considered the goals of selection as stated in section 3.1 of the Selection Policy, with priority being accorded to performances that are indicative of the potential to achieve a top-12 result at the OWG:
a. Sean Crooks is nominated based on meeting the specified FIS point standard and being the highest ranked athlete on either of the distance or sprint ranking lists. He was the highest ranked Canadian in the World Cup sprint competition at Sovereign Lake. Given the Committee’s analysis of the skills of the athletes selected under the primary qualifying criteria, there is a spot for him, in theory, to start in the sprint competition at the OWG. The Committee assesses that there is potential for this athlete to obtain a top-12 result.
b. Phil Widmer is nominated based on meeting the specified FIS point standard and being the second highest ranked athlete on either of the distance or sprint ranking lists. He was the second highest ranked Canadian in the World Cup sprint competition at Sovereign Lake. Given the Committee’s analysis of the skills of the athletes selected under the primary qualifying criteria, there is a spot for him, in theory, to start in the sprint competition at the OWG. The Committee assesses that there is potential for this athlete to obtain a top-12 result.
c. David Nighbor is nominated as a substitute in the case where a nominated (or selected) athlete is injured or becomes seriously ill between the time of nomination (or selection) and the OWG. He achieved the specified FIS point standard and was the highest ranked athlete on the distance ranking list.

Selection Process for Women

9. The minimum team size of five women was not met under the primary qualifying criteria.
10. The Selection Committee considered section 6.1.b) Priority #2. Two athletes (Chandra Crawford and Perianne Jones) met the specified FIS points standard in the individual sprint competition. However, as an athlete (Milaine Theriault) had already been nominated under primary qualifying criteria for a sprint result, no athlete was nominated under section 6.1.b) i. In addition, no athletes were nominated under section 6.1.b) ii. because none had met the specified FIS point standard of 90 FIS points.
11. The Selection Committee next evaluated the need and the desirability of nominating additional athletes in accordance with section 6.1.c) Priority #3:
a. Chandra Crawford is nominated in accordance with this section on the following grounds:
i. Chandra achieved the specified FIS points standard in the individual sprint competition; and
ii. in consideration of athletes already selected, there is one spot left in the potential four sprint starts allotted at the Games.


b. As noted above, Perianne Jones also achieved the standard in the individual sprint competition. With Chandra’s nomination the team has a full complement of sprint athletes (4), all of whom achieved better results than Perianne in the World Cup competition in Sovereign Lake. Therefore, the Selection Committee decided not to nominate Perianne Jones.
c. The Selection Committee next referred to the distance ranking list. No women made the specified FIS points standard in distance. Therefore, no additional athletes were nominated under section 6.1.c) Priority #3.
12. The Selection Committee then reviewed Amendment #1 of the Selection Policy which addresses the selection of athletes who did not meet the specified FIS points standard for alternate qualifying criteria. The Committee determined that it would be desirable to nominate an additional distance athlete in order to meet the minimum team size of five women (in order to meet entry requirements and provide for a fifth skier to complete a relay team in the event of injury or illness). The Amendment refers back to the ranking list established in section 5.3 in accordance with the priorities established in section 6.1.b) ii. of the Selection Policy:
a. Amanda Ammar is nominated under this section as she is the top-ranked athlete on the distance ranking list.
b. Dasha Gaiazova is nominated as a substitute in the case where a nominated (or selected) athlete is injured or becomes seriously ill between the time of nomination (or selection) and the OWG. She is the next highest ranked athlete on the distance ranking list.