December 10, 2018 (Pokljuka, Slovenia) – Canada’s Christian Gow shot clean to finish a solid 14th in the men’s 12.5km pursuit won by Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe in a photo-finish with France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet.

Boe, with three penalties, finished in 30:20.4, just 0.1 seconds ahead of Fillon Maillet who shot clean. Alexander Loginov of Russia finished third, with a single penalty at 1.9 seconds back.

Results here.

December 10, 2018 (Beitostolen, NOR) – Norway l came out on top in a fierce battle with Russia l in the men’s 4×7.5km Relay on Sunday as the race came down to a final sprint with Finn Haagen Krogh besting Andrey Melnichenko at the line by 0.7 seconds. Norway ll claimed third.

Switzerland took 4th in a four-way battle over France 1 in 5th with Germany 6th and France ll in 7th as less than a second separated them.

Team USA was as high as 4th on the opening leg with Erik Bjornsen leading the charge, but fell out contention on the next leg as Kevin Bolger handed off to Scott Patterson in 10th. Patterson tagged Simi Hamitlon in 12th where the squad finished.

Results here.

December 09, 2018 (Beitostolen, NOR) – Team USA’s Sadie Bjornsen, Rosie Brennan, Caitlin Patterson and Jessie Diggins debuted in the women’s 4 x 5km relay finishing a solid 5th as Norway 1 proved to be unstoppable again. Russia ll claimed second in a fierce battle with Finland 1 settling for third. It was the 10th consecutive relay victory for the Norwegians.

Bjornsen led off with a strong Classic in second handing off to Brennan as Therese Johaug took over the lead for Norway handing of to Ragnhild Haga with a 10s lead. The USA dropped back into 6th as Patterson took over.

Norway’s Ingvild Flugstad Østberg was unchallenged on the final leg as Patterson tagged Diggins in 6th. The battle for silver and bronze was uber close as Russia 1 edged Finland 1 as Diggins raced to the second fastest time for 5th.

We caught up with Team USA for their take on the day.

Sadie Bjornsen

Wow, the anticipation of a relay has to be one of my favorite things about this sport. I love putting all your collective skill and nerves together… and seeing what kind of surprise you can make with it. It was fun to start the new year with a new team, and feel out what was possible. It was a unique course out there today with a whole lot of drafting, and not too many climbs to break things up- which made it particularly challenging for our group.

My strategy in leg 1 was to stay near the front, and use the few working sections to try to make a gap. I could feel right away on the first lap that the draft was pretty huge, so I tried to stay near the front and get ready to pounce when I found a good place. Skiing in the mass became pretty frustrating with too much stop and go traffic, so I decided to go off the front and break up the race as soon as we lapped through for 2.5k. I knew there was a bit of a risk in this because Russia was going to be able to sit in behind, but it was worth it to break up the race some. I tagged off to Rosie and was happy to see we had gotten a gap on some of the teams we would be fighting with later in the race. From there, our team laid out their very best efforts, and we finished not too far away from our goal of shooting for the podium.

I am really excited to get some practice in relay racing before the Championships this year, because pacing and racing a 5k is very different than the other races we are doing. The more chances we have to race it, the more prepared we will be come February for the World Championships.

I am really proud of the way our team skied today, and I am really excited for what will come with this new team!

Rosie Brennan

Relay days are so fun because there are so many different variables that it’s very hard to make a plan. It is so much about knowing yourself and reacting on the fly. I had the pleasure of racing a very stacked leg 2. My goal was to hang on as long as possible while losing the least amount of time, meaning not explode. I think I did an OK job at this.

I was really struggling with my skis and had some tired legs so it wasn’t my best or what I know I am capable of, but it was a strong start and somewhere I can work from. This was a very challenging course with not much rest and a huge drafting effect.

Being caught alone was a very tough situation. I spent more time alone than I would have liked, but I am so happy to have had the opportunity to race a relay in period 1 because it gives me a direction to go and let all of us work some of the kinks out before things really matter.

Caitlin Patterson

We’ve all be really enjoying natural snow and mid-winter conditions in Beitostolen. Today was quite nice skiing, the trails were firm but not at all icy. The relay course for women especially was fairly flat, which meant there was little recovery and it was working the whole way.

I don’t think you can ever expect a certain outcome out of a relay, because there are so many variables. Sadie had an awesome scramble leg to put us in the hunt from the beginning. A few teams showed minor weaknesses, but there weren’t too many big implosions like can sometimes happen in 5k events. Norway was very strong, as expected, and I think the Russian women really surprised everyone this week.

During the beginning of my leg, I was focused on closing the gap to the skiers ahead. I closed a gap to Norway’s second team maybe around 2k, but the effort cost me serious energy, and I didn’t have the strongest middle section of the race. Still, Norway’s Slind and I skied and worked together for the rest of the race. I fought for every second, and am proud of my effort and especially of the whole team’s effort, though I wish my legs could have felt a little better for the later part of the race!

I’m happy with the effort I put in, and proud of the whole team. While we didn’t nail the perfect day throughout every leg, I think this start shows a lot of potential for future relays. You never know what can happen in a relay, and Team USA is poised to take advantage of the opportunities we can get!

Jessie Diggins

I was really happy with today and so, so proud of my team (today and every day!). We went out there and skied our hardest, and for me it was a really interesting mix of hammering and playing it smart with tactical decisions.

I went out sprinting trying to close some of the gap to the group that was way ahead of us, but it’s a pretty flat course and really hard to drop people who are drafting you. So about 1/3 of the way into the anchor leg,  I switched my strategy and let the other two girls in my pack lead, conserving energy and planning to make my move with about 1 km to the finish.

I felt good about my effort and how my form is coming around. Huge props to the service team as relay days are tough with a lot going on!

Results here.

December 08, 2018 (Vernon, B.C.) – The first stop on the Haywood NorAm combined with the second stop on the U.S. SuperTour race series got underway this morning at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre located near Vernon, B.C.

This was the first race of the season for many skiers who have travelled here from across North America to test their skills against some of the fastest skiers in Canada and the U.S. The Open Categories saw 324 skiers take to the start line starting at 9:00 a.m. this morning. Temperatures were hovering around -10 for the qualification round with partly cloudy skies.

In the qualifiers, U.S. skier Andy Newell set the fastest time around the 1.2 km sprint course at 02:15. The top Junior Man was Luke Jager of Alaska Pacific University (APU).

On the women’s side, the fastest qualifying time was set by U.S. skier, Julia Kern, at 02:40. The top Junior Woman was Novie McCabe of Methow Valley, WA.

The top Canadian male qualifier was Olivier Hamel of Skibec in 3rd and top Canadian female was Laura Leclair of Chelsea Nordiq in 2nd.

Julia Kern (Stratton Mountain School) carried momentum through to the Senior Women’s final followed closely by Canada’s Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse Ski Club) and Lauren Jortberg (Dartmouth Ski Team) in third.

In Junior Women, Novie McCabe (Methow Valley) took first followed by Anna Price (Foothills Nordic) and rounding off the podium is Callie Young (Dartmouth Ski Team).

On the men’s side, Andy Newell (Stratton Mountain School) followed Antoine Briand (Skibec) closely most of the final, eventually overtaking him in the last 300 meters to claim first place. Rounding off the podium is Benjamin Saxton (Stratton Mountain School).

In Junior Men, the winner is Rossland’s Remi Drolet (Black Jack Ski Club), followed by Luke Jager (Alaska Pacific University). Sam Hendry (Canmore Nordic Ski Club) finished in third.

Starting at 2:00 p.m., Midget, Juvenile and Junior Categories race different variations of a 2.5 km skate technique distance course.

All categories will compete in Classic technique distance races on Sunday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. with Open Men (15 km) followed by Open Women (10 km).

For detailed results, go here.

December 08, 2018 (Pokljuka, Slovenia) – The USA’s Clare Egan turned in the sixth-fastest course time en route to a 15th-place finish on Saturday with one penalty in the women’s 7.5km sprint at the BMW IBU World Cup in Pokljuka. It was her second-best career finish.

Finland’s Kaisa Makarainen won with clean shooting over Italy’s Dorothea Wierer in second who also shot clean at 14.8 seconds back. Justine Braisaz of France placed third at 42.1 seconds behind with perfect shooting as well.

“After struggling on the range in the 15k Individual, I was focused on getting back into a good routine today,” Egan said. “I had to fight for my last two shots and did a really nice job with shot 9 but obviously not good enough for shot 10. Overall the shooting is there, and the skiing too, so I’m competing with the best in the world and that’s new and exciting. I’m in great shape right now so I know that anything is possible.”

Susan Dunklee (USA) was 45th with Joanne Reid 57th. Canada’s Megan Tandy was 73rd, Rosanna Crawford finished 77th, Nadia Mose was 88th and Megan Bankes was 99th.

“Our whole women’s team is in a great place; we did excellent training this summer with our new coach, Armin (Auchentaller), and it’s paying off,” added Egan. “Last year at World Cup 1, zero American women qualified for the pursuit, whereas all three of us did today. And it’s worth noting that with Susan’s 11th place in the Individual, we’ve now had two women go in the top 15 already in the first two races of the year. We are proud of ourselves and motivated to keep climbing.”

Results here.

December 01, 2018 (Lillehammer, Norway) – Canada’s Alex Harvey finished 17th on a challenging course in the men’s 15km FR individual start won by Norway’s Sjur Roethe on Saturday at Day Two of the World Cup mini tour in Lillehammer, Norway.

Didrik Toenseth, also from Norway, claimed second at six seconds back while Russia’s Denis Spitsov was third. The top American was Erik Bjornsen in 43rd.

“It was a tough day. Getting to a sprint final always takes a lot out of you and there were lots of emotions yesterday too, so the legs weren’t quite there for a challenging course,” said Harvey who dug deep from the outset to hold pace with the frontrunners for each of the two laps in the tricky individual start competition in warm conditions.

“I didn’t feel good right from the start. The conditions were a bit slower for everyone. The snow had a bit more resistance in some of the climbs so that made it harder on the legs. Tired legs and the conditions were a bit of a double whammy. I knew where my zone was. I was just steady in 17 to 19th place and had to fight to stay there,” he continued.

Harvey will begin Sunday’s 15-kilometre classic-ski pursuit race in 10th. “I will have Dario (Cologna) and (Martin) Sundby just ahead of me so I will try to latch onto those guys,” added Harvey. “I have a good group around me who are all strong classic skiers so hopefully I’ll be able to ski to a better result.”

Results here.

December 01, 2018 (Lillehammer, Norway) – Sadie Bjornsen led the Americans in 9th while her teammate Rosie Brennan took home a career-best 11th with Jessie Diggins 12th in the women’s 10km FR World Cup on Day Two at Lillehammer, Norway. Therese Johaug (Nor) took another win over Sweden’s Edda Andersson in second and Charlotte Kalla in third.

“After climbing up the big long climb at 3.5k, I finally found my rhythm and my craving for the pain cave,” said Bjornsen, who posted her second-consecutive top 10-result after landing third on the podium in Friday’s sprint. “From there I kept pushing myself and tried to cut some time off the leaders. I was happy with my ninth place finish today. I think I have more in me, so I look forward to another try at distance skating next weekend. I think today was actually a step up from my distance race in Beito before the World Cup season started, so that is a step in the right direction.”

“I am thrilled with my result and am looking forward to being in the mix tomorrow,” said Brennan. “I have never started in bib #1 in my whole career so that was a new experience for me, but it seemed to work out all right. Because I was starting first, I tried to really focus on myself and my own skiing knowing that information would be sparse out there.”

“I had confidence I could have a good race after a really good summer of training and lots of improvements in my skating in particular. I love skiing alone so interval starts are something I always look forward to. When I lapped through, the A seed was starting so I could get some gauge on my speed, but because the snow was so dirty, my skis were much slower than those that were just starting so it wasn’t terribly inspiring. I did a good job of turning the focus back to my own skiing and focusing on good strong movement for the entirety of the race. And when I crossed the line, I dashed into that leaders chair as I have never had my turn in that thing before ; ),” she concluded.

“My body is in a weird place coming right off being sick, so although I know I’m still very much working towards my top form it was encouraging to be able to get out there and race today,” Diggins said. “I’m so proud of Rosie for her career best World Cup result, and excited to dig deep one last time in Lillehammer tomorrow.”

Results here.

November 30, 2018 (Lillehammer, Norway) – Alex Harvey, 30, sprinted to his first World Cup cross-country ski podium this season, winning bronze on Friday in the men’s 1.6km Sprint FR in Lillehammer, Norway at round two of the FIS series. It was the earliest Harvey has ever reached the sprint podium in his 10-year career.

“It is always fun to be on the podium no matter when you do it, but to do it early in the season is a bit of a pressure reliever,” said Harvey. “This tells me I did the right things this summer and is a nice confidence booster to know you are still in the game because there always questions marks in cross-country skiing when you start the season.” It was the 30th World Cup medal of the three-time Olympian’s career.

“When I came out on the team, we would win one or two medals a year. None of us thought any of us could have a handful of podiums in one season like many of us have done,” added Harvey, who also has five World Championship medals to his credit.

“For me to break the 30 mark is not something I ever dreamed of – it just seemed too far out of reach. It takes a lot of people to get on a podium any week, and especially 30 times so the credit goes to a lot of people.”

After qualifying 17th, Harvey advanced to the head-to-head heats where he exercised his trademark tactic of conserving energy before darting past the pack up the final hill and into the stadium to handily win his quarter-final heat.

In his semifinal round Harvey was in an all-out war as Norway’s Sindre Skar and Emil Iverson darted ahead of the six-man pack early in the in a lightning-quick heat at the Lillehammer stadium. Crossing the finish line in fourth, it appeared the Canadian veteran’s day was done, but he advanced to the final after grabbing one of the two Lucky Loser spots.

“I’m just not fast enough off the start and the quarter-final was a bit of a scrappy heat so I decided to chill at the back and let the other guys cut each other up, save my energy until the last big climb and then make my move. It is a really big, high-speed finish. I had great skis and speed and was able to push hard in both heats,” said Harvey.

He played his tactics different in the final, staying near the front of the group for the first half of the race with Norway’s Iversen. As Italy’s Federico Pellegrino pushed the pace out front and comfortably skied to the gold medal, Harvey turned on the jets while descending off the final hill into the finish stretch of the stadium, moving up from fourth to jump onto the final step of the podium just 0.7 seconds from the win.

“I was able to be more up front and stay out of trouble in the beginning. I don’t feel like I did anything different off the start but maybe the true sprinters were a bit more tired in the final,” said Harvey. “It was great to share this podium with the whole team. The wax techs always work so hard, but today the rain was coming down and they were just drenched. They worked so hard for this one running around in the rain to make sure I had great skis so I’m really happy to be able to give them this result.” Norway’s Iversen topped Harvey for the silver medal.

Simi Hamilton was the top American in 19th and wanted more but was also happy with his performance and looks forward to the upcoming races. “It was rainy all day, but that made the snow a bit faster than yesterday which was nice. It was actually really nice skiing. The course was hard as it always is here, but in faster conditions it tends to flow pretty well. Our techs did a great job getting us fast skis, especially considering the weather and how rough of a day they had with a 9:30 qualifier (they were testing and waxing at the venue starting at 5:30am),” Hamilton told Trax.

“I feel good about my day. Obviously I would have liked to have raced in the semis and the final, but my energy and fitness felt better than it usually does this time of year and I think with some specific skate speed work in the next couple weeks I’ll be in a really good spot heading into Davos, the TdS, and the rest of the season.

“I thought I skied my quarter tactically really well until the last climb, when I just lost some pop in my legs and lost a bit of momentum right at the top when my pole got skied on a couple times. I was hoping for a good sling shot coming into the finish lanes but I think there was just a little too much space between me and the top 3 racers when we hit the last fast downhill,” shared Hamilton.

Results here.

November 30, 2018 (Lillehammer, NOR) – American Sadie Bjornson earned the U.S.A’s first World Cup podium of the 2018-19 season in the women’s Sprint FR in Lillehammer, Norway, on Friday. Bjornsen, who qualified 6th, battled through the quarterfinal and semifinal heats to finish third behind Sweden’s Jonna Sundling and Stina Nilsson, who finished first and second respectively. It was Sundling’s first World Cup victory.

“Today was such an exciting day because I have had my eyes on a skate sprint podium for a long time,” said Bjornsen. “I have now accomplished a podium in all the disciplines – skate sprint, classic sprint, classic distance, and skate distance, which is a huge accomplishment for me. Also, with so many skate sprints this season, I am so excited to get some confidence and belief to fight for the top in the long season to come.”

Rosie Brennan qualified a career-best 9th with Jessie Diggins 12th, but both shared the same 1/4 final and did not advance finishing fourth and fifth respectively in their heat. Diggins ended up 17th and Brennan was 21st while Sophie Caldwell was unable to start due to a cold.

“I am so happy with my qualifier today. I finally was able to find a good balance of speed and power to make things happen and that felt good. With expanded start quotas for all teams in a mini tour and the nations group, this is probably the most competitive World Cup of the year so to also get my best qualifying place is a huge accomplishment for me,” said Brennan. “I still have very little experience in the heats and am looking to make some improvements in group skiing, but it was a great start in sprinting and I am really looking forward to the rest of the tour.”

“We are very excited for Sadie,” stated U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Head Coach Chris Grover. “She stayed out of trouble all day and made opportunistic moves passing other racers whenever she had an opening. The key to this race was what kind of position one could create on the final downhill to the stadium and carrying momentum around the last turn into the finish lanes. Sadie put herself in great finish position all day and skied the final downhill aggressively and with poise. It’s going to be a big season for her. Congratulations to coach Erik Flora and the APU program!”

“What an amazing and exciting day among this rainy, rainy situation here in Lillehammer. Despite it being rainy and soaking wet out there, I was just trying to find the funniness in the situation. In the final I got stuck in the back once again, and was sad to not be able to go with Stina [Nilsson], but fortunately found my hole once again in the final climb to chase the two Swedes down,” added Bjornsen. “Huge thanks to the team for giving me some great skis. And thanks to the American fans that were out there in the rain today, I heard you. And finally, massive shout out to my APU teammate, Rosie Brennan, for an absolute stellar sprint. Qualifying 9th is amazing, and I know with a few more opportunities to ski heats, she will be a force to recon with.”

Results here.

November 29, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – The final countdown is on to register for the 10th annual SkiTrax FIS Fantasy World Cup 2018/19 Contest open for team registration until Thursday, Nov. 29, at 12 midnight EST (extended from 10pm). Win fabulous prizes while catching all the action as the season continues with round two of the XC FIS World Cup in Lillehammer, Norway this coming weekend.

Register your team of four (4) men, and four (4) women including two (2) Outlaw Skiers – one (1) male and one (1) female not in the top 15 of the FIS World Cup overall rankings.

November 26, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – The 10th annual SkiTrax FIS Fantasy World Cup 2018/19 Contest is underway as hundreds of fans around the world are stoked to be eligible to win great prizes while catching all the action as the season gets underway.

Register your team of four (4) men, and four (4) women including two (2) Outlaw Skiers – one (1) male and one (1) female not in the top 15 of the FIS World Cup overall rankings.

November 25, 2018 (Ruka, Finland) – Top Canadian Alex Harvey finished just outside of the top-20 battling 22nd in the men’s 15km CL individual start as Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov was unstoppable winning gold for the second straight day.

Norway’s Emil Iversen finished second while Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson claimed the bronze as last year’s winner Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (Nor) ended up 9th. The USA’s Erik Bjornsen was just out of the points in 31st.

“Individual starts are always very difficult. It took me a while to figure them out because I always started too slow from the beginning. It’s about starting fast enough so you are putting the hurt on yourself in the first lap but staying patient and not going too fast to kill yourself,” said Harvey, who was lined up against the top skiers in the world – many whom already have a few elite races under their belt in the early season. “You have to bite your teeth a bit in these races.”

Bjornsen was hoping for more at the World Cup opener. “It wasn’t the start to the season that I had hoped for, but I don’t think it was too far off. Today, I didn’t feel great. I felt a little stiff, never able to open up and glide out there. I’ve always found the snow to be a little tricky here in Ruka. Hopefully next weekend I’ll feel a little more snap in the body. The goal is to be consistently skiing in the points,” he told SkiTrax.

Results here.

November 25, 2018 (Ruka, Finland) – Sadie Bjornsen led the Team USA charge again with a top-10 finish placing 8th in the women’s 10km individual CL won by Norway’s Therese Johaug as the FIS World Cup opener wrapped up in Finland on Sunday. Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla was second while her teammate Ebba Andersson finished 3rd. It was Johaug’s 53rd World Cup victory.

Jessie Diggins, who was in the top 10 until the final 1.5km ended up 14th followed by Rosie Brennan in 23rd with Sophie Caldwell 43rd and Caitlin Patterson 46th.

“It was a fun and furious first distance race on the World Cup today,” said Bjornsen. “Due to a lack of snow, the course got changed to three laps of a 3.3k course, with an evil combination of constant work.

“The downhills were wicked fast, so there was little to no recovery. I went out hard, and did my very best to hang on. Despite losing the “fight for the podium” on my third lap, I feel so excited and encouraged about finishing 8th today. I had good feelings, I had good skis, and I know where I lost my time a bit.”

Diggins was happy with her race and her form as the season gets underway. “I was satisfied with this start to the season – I always like to build into the season and carry quite a bit of training load into the first few weekends in order to be racing in top form later in the year,” said the Olympic gold medalist. “So this is right around where I’d hoped to be.”

Brennan was also feeling good about her performance. “We got a dusting of snow last night on top of 100% man made, old snow. It made for some nice skiing. I was happy with my race today and felt I paced it better than in the past. It’s always a tricky thing on the first race with a course as steep as this one. I think today was a great starting place for distance and I hope to build on things from here,” Brennan told Trax.

Results here.
Women’s 10k Interval Start Classic Ruka, Finland

November 24, 2018 (West Yellowstone, MT) – Norway’s Guro Jordheim (University of Utah) topped the field in the women’s 5km FR as the season got underway in the US at the West Yellowstone Festival on Nov. 25 following Thanksgiving celebrations. Erika Flowers (SMS) was the fastest American in second followed by Mariah Bredal (University of Utah) in third.

The men’s 10km FR race was won handily by Benjamin Lustgarten (Craftsbury Green Racing Project) over Johnny Hagenbuch (Sun Valley SEF) with Norwegian Sondre Bollum (University of Colorado) in third. Renowned former US Team World Cup skier, Andy Newell (Stratton Mountain School/Salomon), finished 5th.

Full Results here.

November 24, 2018 (Ruka, Finland) – Canada’s Alex Harvey began his 10th World Cup season with a personal best 8-place finish in the men’s 1.4km CL Sprint as Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov topped Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo in the final for the win.

Eirik Brandsdal (Nor) grabbed the final step on the men’s podium in third as the season got underway under the lights at the opening round of the 2019 FIS World Cup Cross-Country Ski series in Ruka, Finland.

Harvey squeaked into the head-to-head heats with the top 30 athletes of the day after posting the 25th fastest qualifying time. In his quarter-final he crossed the line in second spot advancing to the semis.

“I’m now 30 years old and I have the same excitement for the first race of the season as I did the first time I hit the start line on the World Cup,” said Harvey. “The steep hill on this course is the key. I’ve never been the snappiest on the hills, so I was happy with the effort and the result.”

Skiing in fifth spot for most of his semi a late charge allowed him to grab one more spot, but it wasn’t enough to advance. The final saw Klaebo leading but the Norwegian let up in the final metres as it seemed he thought the win was his, but Bolshunov passed him with 20m to go for the victory.

“It’s nice to win but there’s a lot more racing to come,” said Bolshunov at the post-race press conference. “[Johannes] Klaebo was my toughest rival today and tomorrow it will be the same.”

Erik Bjornsen (USA) was 42nd, Kevin Bolger (USA) finished 55th, Canadian Julien Locke placed 69th, Andy Shields was 75th, Russell Kennedy placed 76th, David Norris (USA) was 78th and Simi Hamilton (USA) finished 83rd.

“In the sprint you always have to be aggressive and have positive thoughts. That is hard to do when it is dark outside. It is easy to start feeling tired,” added Harvey. “I drank lots of coffee today and tried to stay energized to fight the darkness.”

Results here.

November 23, 2018 – World Para Nordic Skiing and the International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (INAS) will host an historic camp and competition for skiers with intellectual impairments in Bessans, France, from 9-14 December.

The aim of the event – which is the first of its kind – is to understand the sport with a view to creating a regular programme of competitions under World Para Nordic Skiing.

All athletes registered with INAS and with a World Para Nordic Skiing license can take part.

Dimitrije Lazarovski, Head of World Para Snow Sports, said:

“One of our main priorities is to create possibilities for more athletes and more impairment groups to be involved in the snow sports. This is a very important initiative and it will provide us with a better understanding of the next steps in the process.

“There still is a lot of work ahead but we are confident we are on the right path to bring in new athletes into Para Nordic skiing.”

Marc Truffaut, INAS President, said:

“We are thrilled to be working with World Para Nordic Skiing to grow the reach of winter Para sports and include different impairment groups. One of INAS’ key roles is to create a pathway for more athletes with intellectual impairments to compete at the highest levels.

“This project shows that we are meeting our target to be the world leader in this field and I would like to thank World Para Nordic Skiing for partnering with us.

“I encourage all athletes, members and National Paralympic Committees to join us at the start of this exciting journey.”

A further two camps in Ostersund, Sweden, and Sapporo, Japan are planned for January and March 2019. In Bessans, the Chairperson of the INAS Skiing Committee, Hideki Arai, will be the technical delegate.

As well as the introduction of the first competitions, Ostersund will allow researchers to continue data collection for the classification system for Nordic skiers with intellectual impairments.

This work is coordinated by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Classification and Development Centre at Leuven University in Belgium in partnership with University of Gaevle, Sweden.

INAS has been holding World Championships for Nordic skiers with intellectual impairments every year for more than 10 years as the current governing body.

The organisation is also in charge of eligibility, a process which athletes must go through to establish if they have an eligible impairment. They can then go through classification with the relevant International Federation.

November 21, 2018 – In this edition of Talkin’ With the Gravey Train, our host Peter Graves talks with Louis Bouchard, long-time coach of Canadian great Alex Harvey. Bouchard was recently named as Head Coach by Cross Country Canada (CCC) and has been a World Cup coach for Canada for the past eight years while also leading the National Training Centre in Mont Ste-Anne, Qué. at the Centre National d’Entraînement Pierre-Harvey (CNEPH).

Cross Country Canada also recently announced that Norwegian Erik Braaten has been hired to share the coaching responsibilities with Bouchard – read more here – while leading the Canadian team into a new era as a number top-level athletes have retired including Devon Kershaw, Graeme Killick, Jesse Cockney and Knute Johnsgaard – more on the current national team here. In addition, Nic Lemyre, took over as High Performance Advisor at CCC back in June as long-standing HP Director, Thom Holland, announced his retirement at the start of last season.

Interview with Louis Bouchard

November 16, 2018 (Winthrop, WA‎) – The Methow Valley, home of North America’s largest groomed XC trail system, hosts the inaugural Ski to the Sun Marathon and Relay on January 26, 2019. The 40km freestyle point-to-point race begins in Mazama – a small town nestled on the eastern side of the spectacular North Cascades. The course cruises down the steep-sided valley and along the banks of the Methow River, across open farmland and through wooded hillsides, before an exhilarating climb to the spectacular finish at world-famous Sun Mountain Lodge and its trademark panoramic mountain views!

The event has something for everyone – so be sure to bring friends and family! A marathon for elites, masters and senior racers, and a 2- to 6-person relay for all skills and ages. Legs range from 1 to 11 km and offer a variety of challenges reflecting the varied nature of the Methow Valley trail system: flat and wide-open scenery, winding and rolling terrain, and solid climbing through the forest to finish.

Enjoy the festive atmosphere with bonfires, music and food at relay exchanges and aid stations, gourmet soup and fresh bread post-race, and a post-race party and awards ceremony Saturday evening – all included with your entry.

Come race the opening weekend of the 2019 American Ski Marathon Series, and experience mountainous beauty at only 2000 feet above sea level, in the valley that has been the training grounds for 4 Olympians at the past two winter games.

Register today at methowtrails.org

November 13, 2018 (Whistler, B.C.) – Situated within a pristine forest surrounded by mountains, Callaghan Country is a nature lover’s paradise and mountain adventurer’s playground. A short drive south of Whistler Village, you can experience the charm and warmth of traditional alpine culture. Featuring over 130km of trails set on a 7,000 hectare of stunning landscape, you’ll need more than just a day to explore this Nordic paradise.

The best place to start your day is at the Alexander Falls Ski Touring Centre. The gateway into Callaghan Country, the centre offers a convenient and affordable place to start your day’s adventure with services including a warming hut, equipment rentals, tours, and snowcat shuttles. Whether you choose to skate, classic ski, snowshoe, or ski tour, Callaghan Country offers something to suite everyone from seasoned adventurers to casual explorers. There is also a network of dog-friendly ski and snowshoe trails to exercise both you and your furry buddy.

With an average annual snowfall of 22ft, Callaghan Country provides ideal conditions for both cross-country skiers and backcountry tourers. You won’t want to forget your camera either as trails intertwine through old-growth forests, lush alpine meadows and open up to towering peaks and pristine lakes. Not to be missed is Alexander Falls, the base of the 55m frozen waterfall can be accessed by snowshoeing.

If you’re seeking something more remote, choose to venture to Journeyman Lodge, where you can opt for an overnight stay deep in the wilderness. Nestled 13.5km from the nearest road, this authentic backcountry lodge is the perfect place to escape overnight and enjoy cozy secluded ski getaway. Featuring cozy private rooms, a communal living room, rustic outdoor sauna, and family-style dinners, it is the place to gather after a day in the snow. The lodge offers flexible rates to suit all budgets as well as guided and unguided activities to explore in the surrounding untouched alpine terrain.

For those not staying overnight, after a day exploring the pristine snow-covered wilderness, you can loop back for a trailside bonfire at the Alexander Falls Ski Touring Centre to warm up and share the day’s adventures with fellow skiers.

A typical winter season at Callaghan Country runs from mid-November to mid-April depending on weather and conditions.

To plan an incredible cross-country getaway in Whistler, visit here.

November 11, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – What an inspiring evening on October 18, 2018 as Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame celebrated the Induction of the Class of 2018 with Chandra Crawford honoured for her stellar career and contributions to the sport of cross-country skiing.

We are pleased to provide you with the broadcast information for the 2018 Induction Celebrations on Sportsnet and hope you enjoy watching the 90 minute televised show. It is hosted by Hometown Hockey’s Ron MacLean and Tara Slone, and featuring Canadian country artist, Kelsi Mayne as our musical guest.  Watch live or set your PVR to record and watch later!

Check your local listings.

– November 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm EST on Sportsnet 360
– November 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm EST on Sportsnet West

Please share the air dates and times with your family, friends, and colleagues so they can tune into watch this inspirational evening and celebrate the Class of 2018!

Check out our Facebook page for photos from the gala. Feel free to download and share the photos on social media. Just remember to tag us @CANsportshall and #InspireCanada.

Thank you from all of us at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame!

November 08, 2018 (Banff, AB) – Marty Hall will join a handful of Nordic inductees in the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame when he officially enters as part of the class of 2018 during a ceremony on November 21 at the Banff Park Lodge in Banff, Alta. Earlier in the year, Hall was inducted into the US Ski Hall of Fame, based on his contributions south of the border.

A New Hampshire native, Hall grew up skiing alpine, cross-country and jumping and had a very successful college career in several sports including football and track and field, before moving on to the US Army Biathlon team for two years in the mid 1960s.

Hall joined the US Ski Team as a coach for nine years, and in that time developed the US women’s program with great success. He was the men’s coach at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, when Bill Koch won the first medal (silver) for a North American in our sport.

In 1981 Hall brought his coaching leadership north of the border when he signed on as the head coach of the Canadian program. He was very influential in building a strong National Team foundation that led to some excellent performances by skiers such as Pierre Harvey (three World Cup wins), and multiple other podiums along with Marie-Ander Masson.

Hall’s relentless commitment to his work, and program development, was integral to providing a platform for Canada’s successes at the international level for the last two decades. Hall retired from the national program in 1992, and developed the race trails in Thunder Bay that were used for the 1995 World Championships where he brought forward the short-loop concept which is still being used today at World Championship and Olympic competitions. He continued as a coach in the U.S. for eight more years, helping to build a strong program at Bowdoin College.

One to never shy away from speaking his mind, Hall’s sparked a controversy at the 1988 Olympics when he suggested that blood doping may be a reason for the Russian’s totally dominant performance. He is also the first person to stop and give advice and suggestions to those just starting out in coaching or skiing, always making time to share his passion for the sport with anybody who is interested.

Hall has been a tireless advocate for athletes, setting high standards and expectations for every team he coached. He has been an innovator and master promoter of our sport on both sides of the border. His entry into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honour.

Congratulations from CCC and thanks for all your phenomenal contributions to the development of our sport.

Induction Ceremony:
Banff Park Lodge, Banff, Alberta
Wednesday November 21st, 2018
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Ticket Information: here

November 07, 2018 (Magog, Que.) – One of the most legendary Italian cross-country ski apparel brands, Sportful, is now available coast to coast thanks to MV Canada based in Magog, Que. not far from the home base of Canadian xc ski star, Alex Harvey, who hails from St-Férréol-les-Neiges.

Thanks to Sportful’s custom clothing program, young amateurs and veterans across Canada can experience and enjoy the exact same tights and tops that Team Italia wears on the FIS World Cup… but in their own team or club colours.

“The Italians love to go fast (does Ferrari ring a bell) and we figured if it works for the Italian National Cross Country Ski Team, why not bring the same expertise to local clubs here,” said Pierre Perron, general manager of MV Canada, the Canadian branch of Manifattura Valcismon, Sportful’s parent company in Italy. “Of course, people can choose pieces that are more insulated. Those make you feel very fast indeed, but won’t keep you hot during long runs, unlike the Podio or Squadra lines,”

Opened three years ago, MV Canada has grown each year and recently relocated into new larger offices, located on the main street of Magog, a small Eastern Townships city in Québec. “The six of us [they were three at the beginning] were getting a little tight in our old location, also in Magog,” added Perron. The company also distributes Castelli and Karpos products.

Sportful cross-country skiing clothing is built using various cutting edge fabrics such as Schoeller textiles, for their Team Italia products. Deemed “smart” by this Swiss company, from a sports performance point of view, it gives the athlete maximum breathability and freedom of movement. When SkiTrax visited MV’s offices, we were surprised by how few seams the tops and tights have. The level of muscle compression was also remarkable. It seemed that we would have to choose one or two sizes larger than normal just to fit in.

Proper sizing is an important consideration with custom clothing programs, commented Philip Cortes, sales manager for MV Canada. “Athletes have a tendency to always pick the same size. If they’re used to small, they order small, without even trying on the clothes. We believe that can lead to concerns later.” To ensure the best fit, MV provides full Sportful kits for fitting sessions upon request that are held wherever and whenever the teams prefer, even for 2-3 weeks if needed. “We usually like when people visit their local stores for fittings. In doing so, they benefit from the vendor’s expertise as well,” explained Cortes.

MV Canada also offers complete graphic design services to help team managers and clubs to get the most out of the customization process. François Colameo, responsible for customer service on this front was candid about his role. “Things often get sentimental: teams want to proudly bear their colours during the whole season. There can be a lot of back and forth at this stage. It’s part of the game and I make sure they know that,” he admitted. “These days it’s interesting to note that the trend these days is less for all-over print – clean designs with a discrete logo is now the way to go.”

Sportful operates on a four-to-eight-week delivery schedule for its custom clothing program after things are finalized on the personalized management site for custom orders. MV also offers direct to member shipping. “That option doesn’t cost that much and can simplify things a lot. In fact, members of a medium-sized team can have a whole kit for a bit less than $200,” Colameo concluded.

Viva Italia. The minimum custom order is five units for suits and 10 units per style for tops and bottoms.

Sportful website here.
For more information contact Mvcanada_custom@mvc46.eu.

November 06, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – Olympic gold medal-winning cross-country skier Chandra Crawford was in Toronto on Oct. 18 for her induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame along with five other athletes and two builders.

Crawford has had a memorable career, but for many Canadians she is best remembered for that special moment on the podium following her gold medal performance in the 1.1 km sprint at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino at the age of 22.

She had just begun to establish herself on the international stage leading up to the Games, and only a week before had won her first World Cup medal — a bronze. Some shrink away from the biggest moments, a special few embrace them fully, and that is exactly what Crawford did. In Torino, she dominated the quarter-final and semi-final heats in her event and reached the finish line in the final race metres ahead of the closest competitor.

Yes, she was just the second North American athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing, but it was her passionate singing of the national anthem atop the podium that won the hearts of Canadians.

“If you’re ever standing on top of the podium, this is how you sing our national anthem,” CBC broadcaster Brian Williams famously stated, at the time.

She competed for Canada in two more Winter Olympic Games, 2010 in Vancouver and 2014 in Sochi, despite facing significant injuries that resulted in her missing the entire 2008/2009 season.

Although she had a long career, and more successes, Crawford also established herself as a role model for young skiers. To that end, in 2005, she established Fast and Female, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering girls between the ages of 8 to 18 to stick with sports and healthy, active lifestyles.

Crawford retired in 2014 after thirteen years of international competition and seven trips to the World Cup podium to concentrate on Fast and Female that reaches more than 3,000 girls annually.

This year there were eight inductees. Those who entered the Hall of Fame alongside Crawford include Jeff Adams, Damon Allen, Mary Baker, Alexandre Despatie, David Keon, Dr. Sandra Kirby and Wilton Littlechild.

The evening featured a special VIP reception and three-course dinner followed by a formal program taped to broadcast by Sportsnet. Masters of ceremonies for the event were Ron MacLean and Tara Slone.

Following the program, musical entertainment was provided by the house band George St. Kitts and special guest Kelsi Mayne. Every inductee receiving the member jacket, symbolizing Canada’s highest sporting honour.

For Crawford, despite the gold medal, and World Cup wins, it was her 43rd place finish in Sochi that is the favourite moment of her career because of what she had to get through to get there.

“I used my sport as a vehicle for personal growth and achieved inner peace that is more valuable to me than my 2006 gold medal,” said Crawford.

On October 5 in Buenos Aires, Argentina Crawford was also honoured as the Continental Trophy winner for the Americas at the 2018 IOC Women and Sport Awards. SkiTrax joins the xc ski community around the globe in congratulating Crawford on her induction, passion, and many contributions to the sport.

November 06, 2018 – Following the completion of the Rollerski Team Trials last week in Soldier Hollow, Utah, U.S. Biathlon has announced the roster for the opening BMW IBU World Cup in Pokljuka, Slovenia, Nov. 30-Dec. 9. The roster includes six Olympians from the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

The women’s roster, which has three start spots in Pokljuka, boasts four biathletes with Olympic experience. Susan Dunklee (Barton, Vt.), Clare Egan (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) and Joanne Reid (Palo Alto, Calif.) were pre-qualified for the World Cup roster prior to the rollerski trials. They will be joined by fellow 2018 Olympian Emily Dreissigacker (Morrisville, Vt.). A decision regarding which three athletes will start what races in Pokljuka will be made by the coaching staff at the World Cup.

At the conclusion of the Pokljuka World Cup, one woman will be selected to also compete at the IBU Cup #2 in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna, Italy, Dec. 10-16.

The U.S. men’s World Cup team for Pokljuka will include pre-qualified athletes and two-time Olympians Sean Doherty (Center Conway, N.H.) and Leif Nordgren (Marine, Minn.), along with rollerski trials winner Paul Schommer (Appleton, Wis.) and Travis Cooper (Kenai, Alaska). Because Cooper must compete at the IBU Cup #1, Nov. 26-Dec. 2 in Idre, Sweden, to earn his IBU qualification, Max Durschi (Ketchum, Idaho) will also travel to the World Cup in Pokljuka as a reserve. The men’s team has four start spots at the World Cup.

Selected to race at IBU Cup #2 in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna, Italy, on the women’s team were Hallie Grossman (South Burlington, Vt.), Deedra Irwin (Pulaski, Wis.) and Kelsey Dickinson (Winthrop, Wash.). They will be joined by one member of the BMW IBU World Cup team from Pokljuka to round out the four starting spots.

The men’s four starting spots at the IBU Cup #2 will be filled by Durtschi, Alex Howe (Gilford, N.H.), Jake Brown (St. Paul, Minn.) and Vasek Cervenka (Grand Rapids, Minn.).

November 05, 2018 – While Calgary is preparing for a vote to decide on whether to submit a bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the two ski jumps at Canada Olympic Park (COP), part of its 1988 Olympic legacy, are slated to be decommissioned and dismantled.

Winsport, the organization the manages COP, announced that it is going head with plans to close the hills, and that is not sitting well with the locals as well as winter sport organizations across North America, who continue to use the facility.

The jumps were built in 1986 and used in the 1988 Winter Olympics when Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards and many others soared off the 70-metre jump, and there is still a contingent of youth participants who rely on the unique facility.

Three years ago, a similar issue arose but a sponsor was found at the last minute that provided funding to keep the facility operating from 2015-2018. But, after the Canadian national ski jumping championships were held in October, Winsport closed down the jumps, leaving the 65 kids from the Altius Nordic Ski Club out of luck.

If Calgary ends up hosting a future Winter Olympics, there is talk of holding the ski jumping and Nordic combined competitions in Whistler, British Columbia, a whopping 10-hour drive to the west. And, that’s not sitting too well with some.

According to a local media report, the facility is still widely used especially in the summer, for youth development programs. A representative of Ski Jumping Canada described the closure as frustrating.

Winsport contends that the facility’s useful life is over and that to be used in serious competitions, let alone a future Olympic Games would require a complete rebuild.

Vice-chairman Todd Stretch told Global News that the smaller jumps are important to the development of young athletes and that the pending closure is “frustrating.”

WinSport did not layout a timeline for dismantling the jumps, but did say a 90-metre tower would continue to be used for its zipline operation.

Speaking of Eddie the Eagle, the British ski jumper famous for finishing dead last at the 1988 Olympic Games, but doing so with considerable style and fanfare, was back in Calgary this week to drum up support for an Olympic bid heading into the plebiscite on Nov. 13.

The colourful former competitor couldn’t help wading into the ski jump issue, and was quoted by Global News as saying, “Why build more ski jumps when you’ve already got one? The most important thing is having the Olympics and doing well with it. I think it will bring a lot of excitement to Calgary, and it will put Calgary back on the map again and hopefully it will be even bigger and better than 1988.”

Global News report here.

CBC News report here.

November 02, 2018 (Canmore, AB) – SkiTrax caught up with Kings Court winners Dahria Beatty and Len Valjas along with Distance Race winners Emily Nishikawa and Russell Kennedy at Frozen Thunder at the Canmore Nordic Centre for their take on the start of the season, their first competition this season, and what lies ahead.

November 02, 2018 (New York, NY) – On Oct. 31, Olympic gold medalist Kikkan Randall was in New York City to accept the AKTIV Against Cancer Inspiration Award for 2018. The luncheon and ceremony was held at the New York City Athletic Club during the TCS New York City Marathon Week.

Earlier this year, following her retirement after winning a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, Randall announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was undergoing treatment. She had already worked with AKTIV Against Cancer in the past, and became even more involved at that point.

AKTIV is an organization that works to ensure physical activity will become an integral part of cancer treatment. Randall first encountered the charitable organization Aktiv Against Cancer at a World Cup race in Norway. Over the years, she’s always made a point of teaming up with the group, which encourages cancer patients to stay active in addition to funding research.

Her outward commitment to staying active while undergoing cancer treatment also helped her on a personal level. “When I am out there running, biking, skiing I can feel like my normal self and like cancer isn’t even part of my life,” she says. “It’s only when I come in and take my helmet off and look in the mirror and say oh shoot I don’t have any hair, and go whoa.”

AKTIV Against Cancer was founded by the late nine-time NYC Marathon champion and Norwegian running star Grete Waitz and co-founder Helle Aanesen in Norway in 2007. Dr. Jordan Metzl was also honoured at the event alongside Randall.

Randall has also recently launched a line of products under the name “It’s Going to be OK”  in support of AKTIV. Socks made by Darn Tough Vermont and pink headbands by LL Bean, the same one worn by Randall when she and Jessie Diggins won the first-ever Olympic gold medals for Team USA in PyeongChang, are available at her website here.

November 01, 2018 (Canmore, AB) – Louis Bouchard and Erik Braaten will share coaching responsibilities while leading the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team into a new era, Cross Country Ski de fond Canada announced on Thursday. Bouchard, who has been a World Cup Team coach over the last eight years while also leading the National Training Centre in Mont Ste-Anne, Qué., will now take over head coaching responsibilities. He will work closely with Braaten sharing National Team coaching responsibilities.“I am excited at this opportunity and I look forward to leading elite skiers representing Canada on the international scene,” said Bouchard – a longtime coach of Alex Harvey who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program having worked in Canada’s cross-country ski system over the last two decades.

A former national junior team coach, national training centre coach and national team coach at three Olympic Winter Games along with numerous World Championships, Bouchard was the recipient of the Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award on four occasions.

“Trust and chemistry are key ingredients to any successful team and I’m excited to be working with Erik in helping Canada’s high-performance cross-country skiers achieve their performance goals over the next years,” said Bouchard. “We have lots of work ahead of us, but with a strong plan in place, I know we will help our youngsters continue to develop, and our top athletes achieve excellence.”

Braaten, who has been coaching in the Norwegian system over the last six years, will take on his first national team coaching responsibility while teaming up with Bouchard, to mentor the nation’s developing athletes with the ultimate goal of guiding Canada back onto the international podium.

“Erik is a highly regarded young coach in Norway who is looking for an opportunity to contribute to our national program. He is passionate, knowledgeable, dedicated, and driven to develop into a world-class coach. I believe he and Louis (Bouchard) will complement each other’s skillsets and will have a significant impact on the development and the performance of our nation’s best athletes,” said Nicolas Lemyre, high performance advisor, Cross Country Ski de fond Canada. “This is a dynamic duo who I believe is exactly what we need to build a medal winning program.”

Coaching has been in Braaten’s blood for as long as he can remember.  Following high school, he went directly into the Norwegian School of Sports Science (NIH) where he earned a Bachelor degree in Sports Coaching with specialization in cross-country skiing. Named coach of the year last year by the Norwegian Ski Federation, Braaten has worked with several world-class skiers and coaches while attending the NIH. He has focused his time primarily with development level athletes in Norway’s top junior club Kjelsås, which includes two national junior team members. He was also the head coach of Oslo’s regional junior team.

“I knew from a very young age I wanted to combine my passion for skiing and coaching to help young cross-country skiers achieve their dreams,” said Braaten. “I am extremely honoured to have the opportunity to continue my own professional development as a coach while working with Louis and the Canadian program. My experience leading one of the biggest clubs in Norway has given me the values, skillset and experience needed to achieve success. I believe this starts by bringing each individual together, showing respect and working collaboratively as a team in an effort to deliver on the field of play. Coaching the Canadian program is an opportunity of a lifetime, and an exciting challenge that I’m ready for.”

Based in Quebec City, Bouchard will be tasked with leading the World Cup Team and for monitoring the day-to-day training of athletes in the eastern Canada. Working out of Canmore, Alta., Braaten will join Bouchard for select World Cup races and the World Championships and will be responsible for guiding athletes based in the western part of the country. Braaten will also be the National Team coach for the World Junior and Under-23 World Championships. They will communicate regularly to align the training of NST athletes across the country.

Bouchard and Braaten will both work closely with coaches across the country to share knowledge and ensure optimal mentoring for our best athletes who will continue to benefit from a national program structure, which will see a strong pool of coaches from across the country further strengthen the high-performance culture throughout the performance pathway.

“Louis and Erik are proven performers who will offer optimal training and competition supervision for our national team athletes. Together they present a good mixture of experience, knowledge and wisdom for both our athletes and coaches in Canada,” added Lemyre. “Many coaches across the country contribute significantly to the development of our athletes. It is our goal to invest in the development of this coaching community. Louis and Erik will play an important role in ensuring there is a strong collaboration across the country, expertise in development and program alignment.”

November 01, 2018 (Ottawa, ON) – A combined total of 22 medals from PyeongChang are represented by the recipients of this year’s Canadian Paralympic Sport Awards, as the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced today the athletes and coaches set to be honoured at the awards ceremony on November 15 in Calgary.

Handed out every two years following a Paralympic Games, the Sport Awards recognizes the outstanding achievements of Canadian athletes and coaches. This year’s awards will honour the top performances from the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, where Canada won a record 28 medals, as well as coaching at the high performance and development levels.

“A huge congratulations to all of the very well-deserving recipients of this year’s Canadian Paralympic Sport Awards,” said Marc-André Fabien, president, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “You are all phenomenal ambassadors for sport in Canada and the Paralympic Movement, and we thank you for your commitment to excellence. We look forward to celebrating your many accomplishments in Calgary.”

This year’s recipients are:

Best Male Athlete – Mark Arendz
In his third Paralympic Games, Mark Arendz was a dominant force for Canada across both cross-country and biathlon. The Para nordic skier took home six medals – the most medals won by a Canadian in a single Paralympic Winter Games – including one gold, two silver, and three bronze.

“It is such an incredible honour to receive this recognition as the male athlete of the year, especially with all of the stellar performances by Canadian Paralympic athletes throughout the year. The Canadian Paralympic Team had so many extraordinary results at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games and it will be nice to celebrate all of those moments!”
– Mark Arendz

Best Female Athlete – Mollie Jepsen
At the age of 18, Mollie Jepsen was a breakout star in Para alpine skiing at PyeongChang. She medaled in four of her five events, including a gold medal in the super combined plus a silver and two bronze.

“It is a huge honour to be recognized with this award from the Canadian Paralympic Committee. I was thrilled to represent Canada at the Games and compete alongside so many amazing athletes. I will never forget listening to the Canadian anthem on the podium with a gold medal around my neck.”
– Mollie Jepsen

Best Team Performance – Para Ice Hockey
Canada’s Para ice hockey team posted its best Paralympic result since 2006, winning the silver medal. Featuring 10 returning players and seven first-timers, the squad just missed out on the gold with an overtime loss in the final.

“PyeongChang was a great Games. It was an opportunity for our Canadian team to show the growth we had made over the years and what we are capable of. I am so proud of all the athletes and staff that represented our country so well.”
– Greg Westlake, captain of the Canadian Para ice hockey team

Best Paralympic Debut by a Male Athlete – Alexis Guimond
In the deepest field in Para alpine skiing at the Games, Alexis Guimond captured a bronze medal in the men’s standing giant slalom event. He became the first Canadian man to win a medal in a Para alpine standing competition in 20 years.

“I truly feel honoured by the fact that the efforts I put behind each and every performance at my first Paralympic Games were recognized. It has been a childhood dream of mine to compete at the Paralympic Games and to reach the Paralympic podium in front of Canadian fans. It feels amazing to have my greatest accomplishment and my passion highlighted by the people I represent. Thank you everyone for the continued support!”
– Alexis Guimond

Best Paralympic Debut by a Female Athlete – Natalie Wilkie
The youngest member of the Canadian Paralympic Team in PyeongChang at the age of 17 years and two months, Natalie Wilkie made an unforgettable Games debut. She won a medal of each colour in cross-country skiing, including gold in the 7.5KM standing race.

“Being recognized for my performances in PyeongChang brings back so many good memories from the Paralympics. I feel honoured to have been chosen for this award.”
– Natalie Wilkie

Tim Frick Paralympic Coach Excellence Award – Robin McKeever
Awarded to recognize a coach who has provided the vision, leadership, knowledge, and dedication to support athletes reaching the highest levels of Paralympic sport, this award will be presented to internationally renowned coach Robin McKeever. Under his leadership as head coach, Canada’s Para nordic team captured an incredible 16 medals at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, its best-ever performance at a Games. He has led the Canadian Para nordic team since 2010.

“No coaching award is possible without amazing athletes and equally amazing support behind the athletes. Thank you to the athletes for their performance and dedication to the sport, and thank you so much to the Para nordic staff for having my back these past four years leading into the Games.”
– Robin McKeever

Development Coach of the Year – Ken Thom
Presented to a coach who has had a remarkable impact on the development pathway for athletes in parasport, the late Ken Thom is being recognized for his immense work in Para athletics. A coach at all levels of the sport, from the club level in Mississauga, Ont. to the Paralympic Games, Thom was passionate about providing para athletes with opportunities and created programs where none existed in order to do so.

“I know my dad would be honoured and thrilled to win this award. I and many other athletes benefited greatly from his enthusiasm and dedication to our sport. On behalf of my dad and my family, I want to thank the Canadian Paralympic Committee for honouring my dad’s contribution to Canadian parasport.”- Curtis Thom, son of Ken Thom and a three-time Paralympian

The 2018 Canadian Paralympic Sport Awards will be handed out at a luncheon on November 15 at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary. The Sport Awards are part of a larger 2018 Canadian Paralympic Summit, a day bringing together sport leaders to discuss Paralympic sport.

Tickets to the Sport Awards are available to the public for $75 and can be purchased here.

For more information, please visit Paralympic.ca/sportawards.

October 31, 2018 (Canmore, AB) – Conditions at the Canmore Nordic Centre were hard and fast for the women’s 7.5km freestyle individual start but deteriorated for the men’s 10km race with deep sugary snow getting treacherous on some of the climbs.

Emily Nishikawa (Whitehorse Ski Club/AIAWCA-NST) grabbed the win by about 25 seconds over King Court winner, Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse Ski Club/AIAWCA-NST), with Catherine Feldman (Sun Valley SEF/SVSEF Gold Team) in third. Biathlete, Emma Lunder, of Rocky Mountain Racers was the 3rd best Canadian.

Russell Kennedy (Canmore Nordic/Team R.A.D.) took home the men’s title with Adam Luban (Sun Valley SEF/SVSEF) second followed by
Graham Nishikawa (Whitehorse Ski Club/CPNST) in third. Lenny Valjas, who won the Kings Court race on Monday, the 3rd best Canuck.

For the juniors Shilo Rousseau of Barrie XC came across the line in first, a half a second ahead of Amanda Thompson. Jenna Sherrington of Foothills Nordic (ULLR) was 3rd. Local skier Sam Hendry came away with the Junior Men’s win, just over 10 seconds ahead of Barrie XC’s Finn Dodgson. Tom Stephen (Foothills/ULLR) was 3rd, another 15 seconds back.

The turnout for the races was good with nearly 50 women and 70 men suiting up. Many Biathlon Canada Team members entered the distance race on both the men’s and women’s side. There was also a strong contingent of racers from the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation that made the trip up from the US.

Since 2009 the Canmore Nordic Centre has developed an early season ski loop of snow, preserved from the previous winter, called Frozen Thunder. It provides a 2k course for nordic skiers and biathletes and usually is the location of the first official FIS, on-snow races of the North American ski season.

The loop is a partnership of the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, WinSport Canada Olympic Park, Cross Country Ski de fond Canada ‘s National Ski Team & Para-Nordic National Ski Team, the Alberta World Cup Society, Biathlon Canada & Biathlon Alberta! And it’s popular.

Robin McKeever, Canada’s ParaNordic Head coach calls it “an amazing race format for all levels and genders of athletes as they get to keep racing for 3 heats win or lose” and compete against athletes very close to the same ability

The skiers will now focus their attention towards the next top-level events on the horizon, the World Cup in Ruka, Finland Nov 24-25 and the Haywood NorAm, season opener in Sovereign Lake, Dec. 8-9.

Results (brief)

Senior Men
1. Russell Kennedy (Canmore Nordic/Team R.A.D.) 0:22:18.9
2. Adam Luban (Sun Valley SEF/SVSEF) Sun Valley SEFSVSEF
3. Graham Nishikawa (Whitehorse Ski Club/CPNST) 0:22:53.3

Senior Women
1. Emily Nishikawa (Whitehorse Ski Club/AIAWCA-NST) 0:21:05.9
2. Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse Ski Club/AIAWCA-NST) 0:21:29.9
3. Catherine Feldman (Sun Valley SEF/SVSEF Gold Team) 0:21:42.4

Full results here.

October 30, 2018 (Gatineau, QC) – More than 122 skiers showed up for the second edition of the Rollerski Coupe Skinouk in beautiful Gatineau Park on Saturday, Oct. 27. That was more than enough to set a new record of participation for a sanctionned Canadian rollerski race.

Stella Duncan (Chelsea Nordiq QC/Junior B) topped the Open/Junior B Women’s field with Magalie Daoust (Skinouk (QC) Équipe Ski Outaouais/Junior B) second and Lotte Kallio (Chelsea Nordiq QC/Junior A) in third.

Erikson Moore (Fondeurs-Laurentides/Junior B) was the fastest skier in the Open/Junior B Men’s field followed by Benjamin Croteau (Nakkertok Nordique QC/Junior B) in second and Olivier Despatis (Chelsea Nordiq (QC) Équipe Ski Outaouais/Junior A) in third.

Spectators were witnesses to impressive performances on a very challenging course and from competitive fields in each category.

Results (brief)

Open Men
1. Erikson Moore (Fondeurs-Laurentides/Junior B) 0:27:44.1
2. Benjamin Croteau (Nakkertok Nordique QC/Junior B) 01.0
3. Olivier Despatis (Chelsea Nordiq (QC) Équipe Ski Outaouais/Junior A) 03.4

Open Women
1. Stella Duncan (Chelsea Nordiq QC/Junior B) 0:33:03.5
2. Magalie Daoust (Skinouk (QC) Équipe Ski Outaouais/Junior B) 00.5
3. Lotte Kallio (Chelsea Nordiq QC/Junior A) 27.4

Full results here.

October 24, 2018 – If you know Kikkan, you know that she’s driven by positivity. Kikkan’s “Everything is going to be OK” socks, made by the incredible people at Darn Tough in Vermont, are a small reminder that no matter what the challenge, everything is going to be “OK.”  In Kikkan’s case, it applies to her cancer. But it’s also a message that applies to nearly all of our daily lives. And as an added bonus, $2 of every pair sold will be donated to AKTIV Against Cancer — an innovative organization working to ensure that physical activity is part of cancer treatment.

Why are they called “OK socks?”
Kikkan’s approach to any challenge is positivity. The “ OK ” socks are a reminder that no matter what is bothering you, things are going to be ok. The bright colors give a “happy” feeling.

Who designed them?
Kikkan’s brother Tanner Randall made the initial “ OK! ” logo and then designer June Shen-Epstein from Darn Tough integrated the logo into a “happy design” for the socks.

Who made them? Where were they made?
DARN TOUGH is making the socks at their factory in Vermont.

Where can I buy them?
Starting October 22nd, the socks will be available for sale on the shop at www.kikkan.com. We expect to be able to ship the socks soon after.

What’s AKTIV Against Cancer?
AKTIV Against Cancer works to ensure physical activity will become an integral part of cancer treatment. $2 from every pair of socks sold will go to support AKTIV’s efforts.

How much do they cost?
They’re the same price as Darn Tough’s other socks. $19.95+shipping. Buy two or more pair and get free shipping.

Will they fit me?
There’s a sizing chart on kikkan.com, but everyone should be able to find a pair to fit.

October 23, 2018 (Whistler, B.C.) – Experience a Nordic paradise, where pristine mountain wilderness meets endless trails ready to be explored. A short drive south from Whistler’s vibrant village you’ll find Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley. As the Nordic venue for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, you’ll find no shortage of cross-country exploration at Whistler Olympic Park. The park provides access to almost 90km of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing; it’s a Nordic skier’s winter dream come true.

Settle in at the Daylodge upon arrival for a quick warm up or bite to eat before you set out exploring. The Daylodge is equipped with a retail and rental shop if you need to gear up, as well as a ski school where you can sign up for lessons to develop your technique.

The park’s scenic and renowned trails can accommodate all levels of abilities and ambitions from 10-minute loops to half-day journeys. The option is yours to feel the burn the Olympic athletes endured on one of the legendary Olympic trails or settle for something a little less vigorous and admire the breathtaking views around each bend. There are also 30km of dog-friendly trails consisting of both on-leash and off-leash areas that you can enjoy together with your furry buddy in tow.

Be ready to capture the moment as Whistler Olympic Park will leave you in awe with its stunning scenery of mountains, trailside creeks, and even frozen waterfalls. If you rather walk than glide or skate, there’s also over 40km of snowshoe-specific trails to wander through and take in all the incredible vistas, natural landscapes, and Olympic legacies the park has to offer.

After a day out in the snow, loop back to the Daylodge before heading back to Whistler Village. There is an outdoor bonfire that is lit on weekends, holidays, and Wednesday evenings. It’s the perfect place to gather and warm up after a full day out on the snow. Inside, enjoy a warm bowl of chili and sip a hot chocolate to toast a day well spent.

There’s plenty to do off the trails too such as go tobogganing with the kids, try a biathlon, or sightsee and learn about the Park’s legacy as an Olympic Venue. The winter season at Whistler Olympic Park will open on November 22 and welcome skiers through to early April, depending on weather and conditions. Just a short drive south from Whistler, the park can be accessed by car or shuttle service from Whistler Village.

To plan an incredible cross-country getaway in Whistler, visit here.

October 23, 2018 – A Nordic XC Suit Designed by You, for You. Having trouble finding the perfect suit this Nordic season? Now you can shop from our selection of custom made-to-order XC suits, or even customize a one-of-a-kind suit, just for you! All of our XC suits are made right here in the USA!

Shop Nordic here.

Customize the Perfect Alpine Race Suit. Looking for something flashy to wear this race season? We’ve got you covered with pro level Alpine race suits made right here in the USA! Shop from our selection of custom made-to-order race suits, or even customize a one-of-a-kind suit, just for you!

Shop Alpine here.

Cool Weather Cycling Gear. Don’t let the cool weather stop your ride! Borah has one of the most complete cool weather lines available. Outfit your team with our custom jackets, vests, warmers, tights, and accessories to extend your riding season well into winter.

View Cool Weather here.

New Lana Wool Cycling Cap. Just in time for those Fall rides, our new Lana Wool Cycling Cap pairs our classic cap design with high performance Lana Wool/Poly fabric for extra warmth and comfort. To find out more and start your custom team order.

Get started here.

October 19, 2018 (Canmore, Alberta) – The Alberta World Cup Society is pleased to announce it has been awarded the rights to host the 2021 Masters World Cup by the World Masters Cross Country Ski Association. After a successful presentation at the annual meeting in Cogne, Italy, the National Directors voted to award the event to the AWCS. This event is due to take place in the Bow Valley from Feb 25 to March 5th 2021.

The Masters World Cup is held annually and brings together cross country skiers age 30 years and older for a week-long celebration of the sport and competition. 6 race days are held over a period of one week with numerous opportunities to also enjoy the cultural amenities of the host region. The 2019 MWC will be held in Beitostolen, Norway and the 2020 MWC will be in Cogne, Italy.

2021 marks the second time Canmore will be hosting the MWC, the first time being in 1995. This gives Canmore the distinction of joining a very small group of communities to host this prestigious event more than once. Previous Canadian communities to host the MWC include Sovereign Lakes (Vernon), BC and Val Cartier, Quebec. Event Chair Norbert Meier says:”This is going to be the biggest Nordic event to come to the Bow Valley in over 20 years. The competition will be intense and the camaraderie will be high. We know Nordic skiers love coming to the Bow Valley and we have a superb hosting track record giving participants the confidence they will really enjoy their stay with us.”

The AWCS expects to bring at least 1,200 skiers from around the world to Canmore in March 2021. Racing occurs in 5-year age groups with competitors as young as 30 years and as “experienced” as 90. This will be a true demonstration of cross country skiing as a life-long sport. Dave Rodney, CEO of Tourism Canmore Kananaskis, says:”This is the kind of event that keeps Canmore and the Bow Valley in the forefront of winter recreational tourism. We congratulate the AWCS in bringing the MWC 2021 to Canmore and look forward to winter tourism getting a real boost.” Including the days of official training, the entire event is expected to bring skiers to the Bow Valley for well over a week. The economic impact expected is substantial with competitors staying in local hotels, purchasing meals and enjoying amenities.

Meier said the next steps include securing adequate funding to host a successful event and engaging with sport partners and sponsors. An Organizing Committee will be formed under the auspices of the Alberta World Cup Society. The AWCS is also hosting the FIS Season Final cross country world cup in March 2020.

The Alberta World Cup Society continues to promote its mandate of developing and growing cross-country skiing in Alberta through hosting World Cup races and by providing resources for the development of officials, coaches and athletes. All these activities are made possible with the involvement of tireless volunteers who dedicate their time in different capacities to make this possible.

October 16, 2018 Help us reach our goals! The 2018 Cross Country Drive for 25 goal is $175,000. The Drive for 25 Nordic Combined and Cross Country goal is $50,000. All of these funds will go to our nation’s athletes, clubs and divisions.

This is the NNF’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Drive for 25, begins October 20th, 2018. A long standing tradition, the Drive for 25 generates the funds that allow National Nordic Foundation to support athletic excellence. Not only is it by far the largest source of funding for the NNF, but it is also a time for the collective skiing family to stand together and support our skiers and jumpers across the United States.

The Drive for 25 cannot happen without your support. In the past 15 years the NNF has given almost a million dollars to Nordic athletic development. Thanks to all of you and your donations, the NNF has been able to make dreams come true!

This year’s theme “Going Gold!”, dedicated to the athletic excellence US skiing showed in 2018: Kikkan and Jessie’s Olympic Gold Medal, Hailey Swirbul’s podium finishes at the 2018 World Juniors, the Silver Medal win in the XC Boys Relay at the World Juniors and the podium finish of Ben Loomis in the Nordic Combined at the World Juniors. And, to all the success the US is having, a shout out to all of the coaches, parents, clubs and businesses within the community, your support of the athletes is golden!

Donate now here.

How to participate, donate OR create your fundraising page now:

– Begins, October 20th, 2018

– To donate or become an ambassador for the Drive for 25, please click on a link below:
Cross Country Drive for 25 here.
Nordic Combined & Jumping Drive for 25 here.

To become an ambassador, click on “Become an Ambassador” and choose one:
– As an Individual
– Join a Team
– Create a Team

Set your goal and create your own individual or team page. Then share it with your friends, family, and ski community! Let them know why supporting NNF is important to you.

Don’t forget to DONATE to your page or your team page so you get the credit!

Drive for 25 – Cross-country here.
Drive for 25 – Nordic Combined here.

Raise Money for your Team or Division

Raise money for your Team!! This year we will have some competitions within the Drive. Results will be compiled separately and sent out weekly.

1) Top Division *
2) Top Individual  **  (must be registered member of USSA by Nov. 15th)
3) Top Team *  (Can be a Club or Team)

* Each winner in each class will be donated 10% of the profits that they raise per category to use towards travel or education.
** Top individual donations will be donated to the club of that individual and can be used for travel for that individual only.

Join Olympians on a Guided Trip to World Cup!

Travel First Class and Give to the NNF! Only a few spaces left, sign up now!

Lumi Experiences and the National Nordic Foundation (NNF) are partnering for the second consecutive year to offer a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the 2019 Nordic Ski World Championships in Seefeld, Austria. Last winter, guests on the trip cheered on Sophie Caldwell and Jessie Diggins on their way to the top of the podium at the Seefeld World Cup races, along with other memorable experiences like skiing on some of Seefeld’s 200 km of trails. The trip raised over $10,000 in support of the NNF, supporting grassroots skiing in the United States.

2019 World Championships Trip
Dates: Monday, February 25 – Monday, March 4, 2019

HURRY! We can only accept bookings on this trip until October 31, 2018.
The trip includes tickets in the A-Grandstand to all events, including the 10 & 15km classic races, 4 x 5 km & 4 x 10 km relays and 30 km & 50 km marathon events. These tickets can no longer be purchased anywhere else. The trip is led by Olympian’s Holly Brooks and Garrott Kuzzy. Visit Lumi Experiences here or email info@lumiexperiences.com for detailed information.

October 14, 2018 – Kudos to Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins, who was recently featured in a stylish ad for renowned U.S. jeweler Ross-Simons, on the Back Cover of the Boston Globe Magazine in their Sunday edition with 250,000-300,000 circulation. Ross-Simons created a special snowflake silver necklace in Diggins’ honour and has partnered with the star to offer a wide selection of fabulous jewelry to celebrate strong and successful women everywhere – see more here. The first The first Ross-Simons retail store opened in historic Providence, Rhode Island in 1952.

Diggins has been in demand recently making ESPN Magazine’s Body Issue and playing an important role in bringing a cross-country skiing FIS World Cup to Minnesota in 2020 for the first time since 2001.

The Afton, Minnesota skier received an amazing homecoming following her stunning gold medal performance in the women’s Team Sprint alongside Kikkan Randall at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang as she was welcomed in the Minnesota House state legislature, and met Governor Mark Taylor. Selma’s Ice Cream Shop, in her home town, held a contest to choose the perfect flavour for a Diggins special blend and “Here Comes Diggins” debuted in time for the town’s celebration of Diggins’ big Olympic victory homecoming.

More on Ross-Simons here.
More on the Boston Globe Magazine here.
More on Here Comes Diggins ice cream here.

October 12, 2018 – Legendary U.S. cross-country skier and Olympic gold medalist Kikkan Randall is a marvel and an inspiration for many reasons, not the least of which is her positive, exercise-focussed approach during her treatment for breast cancer.

SkiTrax caught up with Randall, a day after her fifth chemotherapy treatment, and she was in good spirits, looking ahead to her sixth and last treatment set for Oct. 22.

“I am usually feeling pretty good the day of and day after,” she says, on the phone from Anchorage, Alaska. “I start to feel the icky fluish feeling after that and it lasts a few days. Still, through that, I’m still able to get out and get some light exercise.”

Randall and family moved to Penticton, B.C. this past spring, but her health care coverage hadn’t kicked in, so she’s been returning home to Anchorage for treatments. This month, she came a few days early to participate in a fundraising walk and run organized by the local community called Strides Against Breast Cancer.

“I talked to everybody and then jumped in a 5K run,” Randall says.

She says since making her diagnosis public, she’s had so many people offer her support and encouragement, including sponsors. Cast in point: Rudy Project sunglasses.

On Oct. 1, to mark the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Randall and Rudy Project released a limited edition pair of pink Tralyx sunglasses — a model Randall wore in competition. With the sale of each pair, $50 will be donated to the charitable organization Aktiv Against Cancer.

Randall first encountered the charitable organization Aktiv Against Cancer at a World Cup race in Norway. Over the years, she’s always made a point of teaming up with the group, which encourages cancer patients to stay active in addition to funding research.

“They had these exercise rooms in the hospital called breathing rooms, and we’d come and do a workout with them,” she says. “It was inspiring to see people going through really difficult challenges, the camaraderie that develops with them and how exercise helped them to stay positive.”

When Randall retired from competition this past spring following her gold medal-winning performance with Jessie Diggins in the women’s Team Sprint in PyeongChang, South Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics, amongst the many offers and honours was one from Aktiv who wanted to present her with an inspiration award at the New York City Marathon the following fall.

Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and a new, stronger bond was formed between the Olympic athlete and Aktiv. And it was one that has benefited Randall in more ways than one, perhaps none more important than her public commitment to the cause — staying active throughout her treatment.

“During the first round of chemo, one day I was lying on the couch feeling miserable. I just thought, ‘I’d made this commitment’, so I was going to rally and go for a hike with friends,” she says. “We ended up going for four hours. I didn’t feel great but it was good to be out there, a good distraction to be with friends. And, an hour or two later I did start to feel better.”

But it didn’t end there. This is “kikkanimal”, one of the best American cross-country skiers of her generation with 17 U.S. national titles, three Sprint Cup globes, numerous Nordic World Championship medals, and five trips to the Olympic Games. Two weeks into chemotherapy she was doing intervals and strength training.

“When I am out there running, biking, skiing I can feel like my normal self and like cancer isn’t even part of my life,” she says. “It’s only when I come in and take my helmet off and look in the mirror and say oh shoot I don’t have any hair, and go whoa.”

After Oct. 22, Randall will undergo surgery and radiation. But she’s already got her sights to mid-winter and she can start to plan the post-retirement athletic schedule she never got a chance to.

Already on her radar, skiing 50K at the Birkie, in addition to following up on an invitation she received to do some sprint races in China. Next summer, who knows? Marathon here, mountain bike stage race there. She’s got options for the first time in a long time, almost too many.

“I’ve had 20 years of structure and clear goals and it’s really fun to not have to follow anything, I get out there and I’m almost debilitated by the choice,” she says. “It’ll be cool to have a little bit of a different structure and goals and go after something big so I can back to feeling strong again.”

News on Kikkan’s Inspiration Award here.
Rudy Project sunglasses here.
Kikkan’s blog here.

October 11, 2018 – Olympic champion Chandra Crawford has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee for her efforts to positively empower girls in sport. Crawford was honoured as the Continental Trophy winner for the Americas at the 2018 IOC Women and Sport Awards presented on Friday in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

For more than a decade, Crawford has been changing the culture around girls in sport through her organization, Fast and Female, which aims to keep girls happy and active in sport through their teenage years so that they are more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their lives.

Crawford was inspired to create Fast and Female after meeting a 10-year-old who told her she didn’t like being a girl because they couldn’t do fun things such as skateboarding and instead had to be more concerned about their physical appearance. Fighting such stereotypes while working towards changing some alarming statistics – such as girls dropping out of sport six times more often than boys in their early teens – have been key aims of Fast and Female. The organization combats a feeling of lack of social belonging by hosting fun-filled, non-competitive events across North America.

Since 2005, Fast and Female has annually reached more than 3,000 girls aged 8 to 18, inspiring them with a team of athlete ambassadors which includes Olympic athletes, coaches, and high performance fitness trainers. Among the 250 ambassadors from 25 sports are PyeongChang 2018 Olympic medallists Alex Gough, Brianne Jenner, Kaetlyn Osmond, Kaillie Humphries, and Kelsey Serwa.

In April, Crawford, who won cross-country skiing’s individual sprint at Turin 2006, was announced as a member of the 2018 induction class for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

The IOC Women and Sport Awards were established in 2000. Each year, one World Trophy and five Continental Trophies are given to women, men, or organizations that have made remarkable contributions to the development, encouragement, and reinforcement of women’s participation in sport. Winners are also supported with a grant to help them continue and extend their work on gender equality.

This year’s other award recipients include:

World Trophy Winner Eczacibasi Sports Club in Turkey, for the success it has had after being the first Turkish sports club to focus resources exclusively on women’s volleyball;

Africa Trophy Winner Rachel Muthoga of Kenya, a former human rights lawyer whose organization “Moving the Goalposts Kilifi” uses football to build confidence and self-esteem in vulnerable girls and young women;

Asia Trophy Winner Samar Nassar of Jordan, a two-time Olympic swimmer who led the bid for and organization of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup along with surrounding events and programs to encourage young girls in sport;

Europe Trophy Winner Daina Gudzineviciute of Lithuania, Olympic trap shooting champion who as National Olympic Committee president has made Olympic Day activities more inclusive, especially for young female athletes;

Oceania Trophy Winner Lauren Jackson of Australia, a four-time Olympic basketball medallist for being a pioneer of her sport and using her profile to champion women’s causes, in particular helping victims of rape and domestic violence.

Crawford is not the first Canadian to be honoured with an IOC Women and Sport Award. Previous winners include Marion Lay (2001), Charmaine Crooks (2006), Abby Hoffman (2008) and Leslie McDonald (2010).

October 11, 2018 (Buenos Aires, ARG) – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) adopted the Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration (Athletes’ Declaration) during the second day of the Session in Buenos Aires on 9 October. This ground-breaking document was formed following an extensive process that gathered the views and opinions of more than 4,200 elite athletes from 190 countries.

Setting out the fundamental principles that are flexible enough to adapt to athletes’ needs across sports and countries, the Athletes’ Declaration includes 12 rights and 10 responsibilities, exploring topics such as anti-doping, integrity, clean sport, career, communications, governance, discrimination, due process, and harassment and abuse.

Inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognised human rights standards, it outlines a common set of aspirational rights and responsibilities for athletes in the Olympic Movement. See the Athletes’ Declaration here.

The document will be referenced in the Olympic Charter, signifying its central status within the Olympic Movement and reaffirming the Olympic Movement’s commitment to supporting athletes during their sporting and non-sporting career. The structure is in place for it to be modified as and when required. An ongoing and ever-evolving process, the Athletes’ Declaration is a living document which will have updates and revised editions to ensure continuous relevance.

“I am truly proud of what we have achieved together. The Athletes’ Declaration is a document driven by the athlete community and represents an historic moment for the recognition of athletes’ rights and responsibilities globally”, outlined Kirsty Coventry, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. “It was more than a year-long process as we wanted to engage with all stakeholders, athlete representatives and athletes. We gave them the possibility to share their voice and tell us what matters most to them and their comments are reflected in the final document.”

https://vimeo.com/293520747

The initiative has been led by a Steering Committee, chaired by Olympian and BMX racer Sarah Walker. The Steering Committee is composed of 20 athlete representatives from across the Olympic Movement: ten from the International Federations, five from the Association of National Olympic Committees, one from the International Paralympic Committee, one from the World Olympians Association and three from the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

“Leading the Steering Committee who worked on the Athletes’ Declaration over the past year was an honour and an exciting experience,” said Sarah Walker. “We have worked hard to make sure we create a document that empowers and supports us as athletes and represents our voices. I am proud that so many athletes around the world have actively contributed to shaping it. This is a historic moment, but it is only the beginning, and we are committed to encourage ongoing dialogue across the global athlete community and all other stakeholders to ensure the continued relevancy and effectiveness of the Athletes’ Declaration”.

In addition to being an athlete representative for their respective sporting organisations, the Steering Committee members collectively have participated in 44 Olympic or Paralympic Games, winning 37 medals, as well as at least 85 World Championships, at which they have won 61 medals.

The idea of an Athletes’ Declaration was sparked in early 2017 and discussed among various Athletes’ Commissions. Its development and delivery is part of the implementation of the IOC Athletes’ Commission Strategy. The Athletes’ Declaration was then discussed with more than 100 athlete representatives at the IOC International Athletes’ Forum in November 2017 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Subsequently, a first-round survey was completed by nearly 200 athlete representatives from 66 countries and 77 sports disciplines, to establish themes and types of rights and responsibilities to be included in the Athletes’ Declaration.

The Steering Committee released a second survey in July 2018 that built upon the findings from the first one: 4,292 participants from 190 countries and more than 120 sports disciplines (including all 91 Olympic and Paralympic disciplines) completed it and shared their voices on the different topics. In parallel, consultations with stakeholders from across the Olympic Movement and beyond was initiated.

The survey and consultation closed in September and the document was presented to the IOC Executive Board on 3 October ahead of today’s Session.

Please click here to read the Athletes’ Declaration and obtain more information about the project.

Athlete 365 is the official community for Olympians and elite athletes – read more here and here.

October 09, 2018 (Park City, Utah) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018 was announced on Friday, September 14, 2018 in Ishpeming, MI. A formal induction will be held for the star-studded group of 8 noted skiing and snowboarding pioneers, athletes and sport builders on April 6, 2019 in Salt Lake City, UT. The celebration returns to Utah for the third time. The National Induction was held in Park City in 2014 and previously in 2009.

Park City, UT will host “Snowsport History Celebration” April 4-6, 2019, with several events to welcome the class of 2018 to Utah. This three-day celebration will culminate with the induction ceremony in Salt Lake City at Little America. The annual induction honors not only athletes, but industry icons, innovators and inventors with lifelong national and international achievements in all facets of snowsport. With the legacy of the 2002 Winter Games and the long lineage of celebrated athletes, Park City Mountain provides a spectacular backdrop for Snowsport History Celebration events culminating with the induction ceremony.

Among the eight inductees are the late Tom Sims, inventor of the “skiboard”, William Jensen nationally renowned resort operator, the late Don Henderson, a pioneer of ski racing, Tom Kelly, the leading spokesperson for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, alongside Bode Miller and Andrew Weibrecht 5-time and 2-time Alpine Skiing Olympians respectively. Two women round out the class with Kristen Ulmer, known as the first female extreme skier and Hilary Engisch-Klein a world dominating freestyle skier.

Highlights

• The announcement of eight members of the class of 2018 was made on Friday, September, 14 in Ishpeming, MI. They are: William Jensen, Don Henderson*, Tom Kelly, Hilary Engisch-Klein, Bode Miller, Tom Sims*, Kristen Ulmer and Andrew Weibrecht.
• The new inductees will bring the total to 433 National Hall of Fame Honored Members of which 125 are still living.
• Park City Mountain Resort will host the 2019 Snowsport History Celebration.
• Info and tickets will be available in October at www.SnowsportHistory.com.

Hall of Fame Class of 2018

• Bode Miller – Coto De Caza, CA was the most successful U.S. male skier of our time. He participated in 5 Olympics, winning 1 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
• Andrew Weibrecht – Lake Placid, NY spent 16 years on the U. S. Ski Team. At the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver he won a bronze and in 2014 Sochi Games won a silver medal in Super-G.
• Hilary Engisch-Klein – Stowe, VT is four-time Women’s World Cup Moguls champion and has 35 World Cup victories. Skiing magazine named her the “greatest female mogul skier alive.” She is founder of Kids On Top.
• Kristen Ulmer – Salt Lake City, UT is known as the first female extreme skier. In 1997 she became the first female to ski the Grand Teton. In 2017 she published a bestseller, “The Art of Fear.”
• Tom Kelly – Park City, UT served U.S. Ski & Snowboard for 32 years as VP, communications. He has been active within the USOC and International Ski Federation, including 14 years as chairman of the FIS PR and Mass Media Committee.
• Tom Sims* – Solvang, CA (1950-2012) in 1963 built a “skiboard”, combining sports of skiing, skateboarding, and surfing. He founded SIMS Snowboards & Skateboards in 1976 and was World Champion in both sports. Tom was instrumental in snowboarding becoming an Olympic sport in 1998.
• Bill Jensen – Vail, CO, during his 45 year nationwide career he was involved in every aspect of a resort’s operation including Mammoth Mountain, Sun Valley, Sunday River, Northstar, Breckenridge, Vail, Intrawest, and Telluride.
• Don Henderson* – Fairlee, VT (1924-2018) was a true pioneer of ski racing. He was a Veteran of WW II and the Tenth Mountain Division, a collegiate star at Middlebury in the late forties, served as the head coach for the US Ski Team on several occasions and taught at the Holderness School in New Hampshire for four decades. (Deseased”)

Quotes

Tom Kelly: “I’ve been fortunate in my career to work with some remarkable athletes and to engage others by telling their story. Skiing has been a passion of mine since I was seven years old and it is an honor to be included in the Hall of Fame.”

Bode Miller: “I was honored when I heard the news about my HOF nomination. I always tried to ski in a way that inspired myself and ski racing fans and I appreciate this support from the industry.”

Kristen Ulmer: “Wow! Here I am, just plugging away, doing whatever makes my heart sing, and it turns out they give awards for such behavior? Fantastic! Yet another reason to devote one’s life to skiing. We’re a giant family, aren’t we? I feel completely appreciated and honored, and can’t wait to see what happens next.”

Bill Rock, Senior VP and COO, Park City Mountain and Urban Resorts: “We are thrilled to host the legends of the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame to welcome and honor the Induction Class of 2018 to Park City Mountain. As home of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Park City has a proud tradition of recognizing and honoring individuals who represent the highest level of achievement in snow sport and we are thrilled to continue this tradition.”

Justin Koski, Executive Director, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame: “We are excited to induct a star-studded incoming class this year! Park City’s iconic skiing and snowboarding culture provides the perfect backdrop for our annual event.”

Past Induction Sites

2018 – Olympic Valley, CA

2017 – Stowe, VT

2016 – Aspen, CO

2015 – Steamboat Springs, CO

2014 – Park City, UT

2009 – Park City, UT

For Mor Information: Stacey Wooley: 719-362-6038 or stacey@skihall.com

October 08, 2018 – In this edition of Talkin’ With the Gravey Train, our host Peter Graves talks with Nic Lemyre who recently took over as the High Performance Advisor at Cross Country Canada (CCC) and brings with him a vast array of experience in the sport. Originally from Montreal and a former athlete himself, Lemyre moved to Norway in the 1990s to work in the Norwegian sports system, including its world-class Nordic squad.

Holding a Ph.D in sport and exercise psychology from The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Lemyre has been the head of the school’s department of coaching and psychology since 2008. He will split his time advising Cross Country Canada’s high-performance program, while continuing his role as a professor of sports psychology at the University in Oslo over the next year.

He’s worked with the women’s National biathlon team, the men’s cross-country ski team, as well as Norwegian cycling teams, including stints at the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Games.

Lemyre is excited to be working with his home country and believes he has the right skills and experiences to make an impact in the Nordic program and will work hard to identify and fix gaps in the Canadian system.

“I’m very humbled to have this opportunity now to contribute to the growth of the Canadian program,” said Lemyre. “I am ecstatic to be able to bring my knowledge and skills back to my sport roots at home in Canada.” – read more here.

Interview with Nic Lemyre

October 06, 2018 (Ishpeming, MI) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Class of 2017 were honoured Sept. 13-15 at the official enshrinement ceremonies that included many activities highlighted by a golf outing at Marquette Golf Club’s Heritage Course, the official plaque hanging in the Hall of Fame museum, and a banquet at the River Rock Conference Center.

This year’s inductees included Marty Hall, “Airborne” Eddie Ferguson, Herman Goellner, twin brothers Mike and Steve Marolt, Shaun Palmer, Thom Weisel and the late Steve McKinnney. Each member got to hang their plaque in the museum and officially join the 422 members inducted into the Hall before them.

The enshrinement was the final phase of the inductions that began on April 14 at Squaw Valley, site of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, where legendary Hall’s career began. For him and his wife Kathy it’s been a remarkable and memorable journey.

“To be honoured and recognized like this is very special,” said Hall. “At my age, I know who I am, I know what I’ve done and I know what I’ve accomplished. I had great people and athletes around me and was successful at both jobs – heading up the U.S. and Canadian programs. We won an Olympic medal down here [USA], and a bunch of World Cups up there, things they’d never done. It’s fulfilling and caps a great career to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. With a name like mine I deserved it (he laughs).”

For Hall it all started with a certain 800-foot rope tow up a snowy hill at the Gilford Outing Club in New Hampshire, which his father helped to found. He spent his youth skiing and attended the University of New Hampshire and eventually went on to coaching.

It was 1969, when Hall had just returned home after six weeks from his first European trip on behalf of the Eastern Ski Association and partly for the U.S. National Team.

“I sat my wife down, in our living room, and said look I want you to know first of all I love you that’s the biggest thing on the table here,” he says, over the phone from his home in Durham, New Hampshire. “But what I did just now with this trip is what I want to do with my career, and I think it’s going to happen.”

Somehow they made it work. And, anyone with an interest in cross-country skiing, especially at the highest levels of competition, should be thankful. They knew there would be sacrifices and lots of travelling to the tune of some 170 days of every year for the next few decades. But Hall also knew that he could contribute to the sport he loved.

Hall has had a hand in many innovations and successes over the years that literally transformed the sport in North America and internationally. When he first attended competitions in Norway, it was before mechanized grooming was even used, and they still employed the military to stamp out the tracks by hand. So, let’s just say he’s been around.

Hall has always been confident and at times outspoken. He was quick to embrace new schools of thought whether it was involving sport psychologists, bio-mechanics, or even computers and other unheard of aspects of sport at the time or developing new styles of wax more than 40 years ago that are still the standard in the sport today.

And his tendency to break new ground wasn’t always oriented towards improving the lot of his athletes, sometimes it was more political. Hall was one of the first in a professional capacity of note to speak out about what he saw as rampant doping by countries behind the Iron Curtain, and more specifically Russia and East Germany. Sound familiar?

To this day, it is the one thing about the sport that continues to haunt him, and he is still more than happy to tell it like it is.

“I have a list of 40 some odd things I initiated or was part of moving forward over those years. it was exciting just exciting to be in the sport,” he says. “The only thing real deterrent was what was going on with drugs.”

At the Squaw Valley festivities and fund-raiser it was a special walk down memory lane as Hall had 55 friends and family members on the guest list, a source of great pride for the long-serving coach – read more here.

“They were not there because of what I did but how I did it and who I was and where they fit into the scheme of that chemistry,” he says. “There were athletes, officials, all kinds of people. A representation of my world.”

And although he said the ceremony was wonderful, there was also a private three-hour breakfast buffet for his own guests that carried a lot of emotional weight.

“It was near the end of breakfast when somebody stood up and said I’d like to say a few words about Marty and that got it started,” he says. “And there were many great comments, funny comments, comments that would make you cry. So that breakfast became a situation for them to get to know everybody. Relationships were developed and it was the one thing that was really cool.”

The more recent gathering this past September took place at the Hall of Fame itself in Michigan. Although he is confident about his place in the hall, and the legacy he has built, Hall is truly appreciative of the Hall of Fame process, the gathering of his peers, the reflecting on what it all meant and most importantly, Hall had an opportunity to really get to know the others who were inducted.

“I know a lot about these guys now, and they are big friends,” Hall says. “I had a great time, that’s all there is to it. You always ask, who wants to go to this sort of thing, but it really was a great time.”

And when it came time for another speech, Hall had the opportunity to circle back to that conversation almost 50 years ago between him and his wife about this whole cross-country ski coaching thing.

“It’s been 51 years she’s put up with me,” he says. “Until you do this job, you just can’t envision it, the amount of travel, the sacrifices.”

But, when I ask the 81-year-old about when he finally stopped coaching, he was quick to point out he’s still actively involved in the sport, whether it is advising the University of New Hampshire coach on a roller skiing facility or privately coaching a young Canadian skier.

“I’m involved,” he says, matter-of-factly. “I’m still visible. And if I say something, people still listen.”

SkiTrax joins the Nordic ski community around the globe in congratulating Marty and Kathy Hall for their passion, dedication, and contributions to the sport and wish them the very best… on the golf course as well.

October 02, 2018 (Whistler, BC) – You don’t have to wander far from the picturesque Whistler Village to ski along a pristine network of groomed Nordic trails. A short walk will bring you to Lost Lake Park, an idyllic setting with beautiful views of Lost Lake and Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. With over 30km of groomed trails, the Lost Lake Nordic Trail system is suitable for all ability levels, from novice skiers right through to experts.

When you arrive, start at the Lost Lake PassivHaus. Built for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the PassivHaus served as home of the Austrian team and was constructed as a showcase of modern building standards using state-of-the-art energy efficiency systems and methods. Today, it’s the gateway to the Lost Lake Nordic Trails and home to Cross Country Connection, where you can grab rentals, purchase your day pass, and book lessons to hone your skills. The PassivHaus is also a warming hut, which will keep you nice a toasty as you sip gourmet coffee or enjoy a light snack from the café inside.

After you have your equipment sorted and have purchased a pass, it’s time to enjoy a sunny afternoon circuit on the groomed trails. As you glide along and intertwine through the fir and pine forest that surround Lost Lake, be sure to have your camera handy because there is a new beautiful vista to behold at every turn. If you’d rather snowshoe, Lost Lake also offers over 12km of snowshoe-specific trails to explore, ranging from hour long walks to half day adventures.

There’s an undeniable beauty to exploring Lost Lake Park in the day as the sun shines through the trees and the fresh snow falls. However, in the evening, Lost Lake illuminates this pristine winter wonderland for guests to ski and snowshoe 4km of lit Nordic trails at night. It’s the perfect activity to build up an appetite, before settling down for a cozy dinner in Whistler Village.

The Lost Lake Nordic Trails are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the season typically runs from December to end of March, depending on weather and snow conditions.

For more information on cross-country skiing in Whistler click here.

October 01, 2018 – Only four months after returning home from her golden moment in PyeongChang, American ski star, Kikkan Randall was diagnosed with breast cancer. She now fights alongside Rudy Project with the goal of raising money to support AKTIV Against Cancer through the sale of custom pink limited edition sunglasses.

Randall has had great success in the world of cross-country skiing winning Olympic team sprint gold along with 13 World Cup victories, and three overall Sprint Globes. She was a committed trailblazer for the U.S women’s ski team, inspiring young athletes and growing the program to new heights. She is known internationally for her upbeat and energetic nature both on and off snow. She is now working as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Norwegian based organization ACTIV Against Cancer.

ACTIV Against Cancer was co-founded in 2007 by 9-time New York City Marathon Champion Grete Waitz and Helle Aanesen. Their goal was to inspire both patients and doctors to utilize the amazing benefits of physical activity during the cancer recovery process. During her own battle with Cancer, Waitz discovered that exercising through the illness allowed her to maintain a high quality of life. So, using her sporting influence and personal experience, Waitz decided she wanted to share it with the world. She passed away in 2011, but her legacy continues on, with the organization celebrating its 10th anniversary last year.

Rudy Project was inspired by Randall’s courage, and plans to sell custom pink Tralyx sunglasses to support ACTIV Against Cancer. The custom shades have an MSRP of $250 but will be offered for $200 with Rudy Project donating $50 per pair to the charity. If the company can sell all 200 limited edition sunglasses, they would successfully donate $10,000. These custom shades will go on sale on October 1 to honour Breast Cancer awareness month.

Kikkan Randall will continue to post updates on her battle with cancer through her blog, you can read it here.

More on Randall’s career here.
Read Randall’s Innervoice story here.
Rudy Project and Randall/ACTIV Pink Tralyx sunglasses here.

September 28, 2018 (Minneapolis, Minnesota) – The International Ski Federation (FIS) today officially confirmed that Minnesota will host a World Cup cross-country ski event in Minneapolis in March 2020.  U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the Loppet Foundation will serve as hosts of the World Cup event, taking place at the new ‘The Trailhead’ facility in Theodore Wirth Park.

“A Minnesotan who brought home a gold medal has now helped us bring home the World Cup,” said host committee co-chair RT Rybak. “Now it’s time for Minnesota too, once again, show we host big events better than anyone.”

Cross country ski champion Jessie Diggins is a native of Afton, Minnesota, and the first American athlete to win a gold medal in Olympic cross country ski competition; she and teammate Kikkan Randall won the women’s team sprint at Pyeongchang earlier this year. Diggins was key to securing this international competition for Minnesota.

“Hosting a round of the World Cup is our chance to show skiers from around the world how Minnesota embraces winter – through sport and through our hospitality,” said Diggins. “U.S. Ski & Snowboard and The Loppet Foundation are excited to host a world-class competition and share our state with athletes from around the world. We’re equally excited to give ski fans from around the US a chance to see the action up close for the first time in nineteen years! I am so proud to represent Minnesota as one of the first American athletes to win Olympic Gold in cross country, and now to bring the sport I love to the state I call home.”

“When Jessie called me and asked if the Foundation would support her dream of bringing a cross country World Cup event to the U.S., my team and I responded with an enthusiastic ‘yes!’” said John Munger, Executive Director of the Loppet Foundation. “Her ask was a no-brainer for us because we, too, have dreams of sharing this spectacular sport with the world. That’s why we’ve worked hard over the last 16 years to elevate cross country skiing, and adventure sports widely, starting in our own backyard.”

“Everyone at U.S. Ski & Snowboard is delighted that we and the Loppet Foundation are able to formally confirm that the cross country World Cup will be coming back to the USA in March 2020 and to one of the great hotbeds of cross country skiing in Minneapolis,” commented Calum Clark, Chief of Systems and Operations for U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “A lot of hard work has gone into making this announcement possible, from the Loppet Foundation team in Minneapolis to the International Ski Federation (FIS), but none more so than from Minnesota’s own Jessie Diggins and the whole U.S. Cross Country Ski Team whose efforts, especially in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, were the catalyst for the compelling concept to bring the world’s best cross country skiers to the city of Minneapolis.”

On the heels of successfully hosting Super Bowl LII, the WNBA All-Star Game, and now preparing to host the NCAA Final Four, the FIS Cross Country Ski World Cup event is yet another in a string of world-class sporting events to choose Minnesota as host.

“The Loppet has helped put Minneapolis cross country skiing on the map, and Theodore Wirth Park offers the best trails in our state,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Hosting a round of the Cross Country Ski World Cup is yet another chance to showcase how to do winter right and for our city to shine as we show the world that Minneapolis welcomes everyone with open arms.”

“Minnesota is the perfect host state for a cross country ski racing World Cup event,” said Beth Helle of Explore Minnesota. “Minnesota boasts more than 2,000 miles of cross-country ski trails, and the sport is integral to our winter tourism industry. Winter accounts for 24% of tourism expenditures in Minnesota, and our high-quality, groomed ski trails help ensure that skiing-related destinations and businesses are able to thrive throughout the winter months.”

Nearly a decade in the making and just opened this summer, The Trailhead is part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Master Plan for the park and the Loppet Foundation’s long-term vision for making lifetime endurance sports more accessible for their local community. This year-round hub for outdoor adventure will host competitive races, community events, and now an international ski competition right in Theodore Wirth Park; solidifying Theodore Wirth Regional Park as a world-class cross country venue.

More information on the World Cup event, including how to secure tickets and see the competition in action, will be available on the local organizing committee’s website, www.mnworldcup.com, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @mnworldcup.

September 24, 2018 (Ottawa, ON) – A few months after he became the most decorated Canadian Winter Paralympian ever, Brian McKeever was recognized for his remarkable achievements with the Male Athlete of the Year award for Winter Sport Performance at the Canadian Sport Awards.

McKeever, who was present to accept his award on stage at the gala event, captured three cross-country gold medals and a bronze in the relay at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games to bring his Paralympic medal haul to 17.

The other nominees in his category were long track speed skater Ted-Jan Bloeman, short track speed skater Samuel Girard, and moguls skier Mikael Kingsbury, all Olympic gold medalists in PyeongChang.

McKeever tweeted following the event, saying “It was a huge honour to be named Canadian male winter sport athlete of the year @AthletesCAN Canadian Sport Awards. Thank you for this amazing recognition! I am in shock.”

The Paralympic Movement was also involved in two other winning awards.

Five-time Paralympian Billy Bridges and his wife Sami Jo Small, the longtime netminder of the Canadian women’s national hockey team, captured the Inclusion Award for Obliterating Barriers in Sport, thanks to their hard work promoting sport participation regardless of ability or gender.

The Jumpstart Parasport Fund, a joint partnership between Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, was also recognized for Corporate Excellence, winning the National Initiative Support award. The fund provides funding for grassroots parasport programs around the country, with an aim of increasing opportunities for kids with a disability to try sport and be active.

The Canadian Sport Awards were organized by AthletesCAN and held Thursday night in Ottawa at Brookstreet Hotel.

September 23, 2018 (Planica, Slovenia) – American, Taylor Fletcher, of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, placed 15th in the Gundersen LH HS140/10km at the Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix in Planica, Slovenia on Sunday.

“Today was a solid day. Nothing too special. I was late on my jump which caused me to miss out on a bunch at the end of the jump. The race was good, for sure, but I was all alone and didn’t get any help out there. With that, I am still happy with today as it was handfuls better than any competition from last year. Progress is all that matter and I am moving forward,” said 28-year-old Fletcher on the competition.

Jumping Results: Speed 91.9 Distance 119.5 Points 50.1 with a round total of 88.0 and a + 2:39 difference. Fletcher finished the roller ski with a 25:48.6, +1:21.5.

USA Nordic Head Nordic Combined Coach, Martin Bayer, had this to say, “It was a pretty good day for Taylor and we’re happy with the overall result.”

USA is 9th in the FIS Summer Grand Prix Nordic Combined Nations Cup standings.