November 03, 2015 (Canmore, AB) – While the funding for this year’s National Team program has been greatly reduced, the spirits and morale of the team couldn’t be much higher. Despite lack of funding, the Canadian Senior World Cup and Development Teams are striding towards success this season. And success has already begun. It all started with a 1.3km classic sprint on October 26 on Frozen Thunder in Canmore, Alberta, which was followed by a National team fundraiser later that evening where the squad was in full force.

We caught up with Head Coach Justin Wadsworth who was all praise when it came to introducing this year’s National Team. While things are shaping up a bit differently since the loss of one major sponsor, the team has overcome adversity and is getting the job done. The training season looked very different from previous years, as the team had only one training camp outside of Canada. In fact most of the time, the team trained right at home in Canmore.

“I didn’t even have to pack my bag once this summer,” said Lenny Valjas. Being able to train from the door afforded the team world-class training opportunities without the stresses and costs of travelling abroad. This also allowed the team to spend more time with friends and family, something which Ivan Babikov was thankful for, as it allowed him to spend more time with his children, ages 3 and 12. Valjas, Jesse Cockney and Graeme Killick were also able to spend more time fishing. Emily Nishikawa was able to spend three weeks in her hometown of Whitehorse this summer, training and visiting family and friends.

And if home is where the heart is, Canmore is certainly going to be showing a lot of heart this winter. The team is already looking forward to one of the most exciting seasons in Canada’s Nordic history. For the very first time, Canada will be hosting the final World Cups of the 2015/2016 season in the form of “SkiTour Canada” from March 1-12 and Canmore is the site where FIS will be handing out the legendary season finale crystal globes for the very first time outside of Europe.

While Wadsworth is promising a generous amount of World Cup results from Alex Harvey, High Performance Director, Tom Holland, promises that there will be another athlete besides Harvey on the podium this season. He also proudly announced the accolades of the new CEO of Cross Country Canada, Pierre Lafontaine, who with his high performance background in swimming, will help lead the team into Canmore’s most exciting season since hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The men on the World Cup Team are certainly looking for best-ever performances at the SkiTour Canada. For Valjas, his favourite city sprints in Drammen and Stockholm at the beginning of February will be an excellent lead-up. As one of the team’s best classic sprinters, he is really looking forward to the World Cup races in Quebec and Canmore.

Meanwhile Ivan “The Bull Dog” Babikov is aiming to get back into the Red Group this season. As a skate specialist, Babikov is especially looking forward to the skiathlon in Canmore on a course that is well suited to his strong climbing skills.

After undergoing surgery on his legs, head coach Wadsworth stated confidently that “Harvey has a genuine shot at claiming the overall World Cup title this season.” And we’re told Devon Kershaw is refocused and ready to rock. His last season was cut short abruptly due to a whooping cough and the Sudbury native was married this summer to former Norwegian national team skier Kristin Størmer Steira, for added expertise. With some excellent training under his belt we look forward to seeing Kershaw shine again.

On the women’s side, Emily Nishikawa is ready to represent Canada on the World Cup circuit before Christmas. As the lone woman on the A team, Nishikawa knows that she has the support of her male teammates as well as her friends and family, both in Canmore and in Whitehorse. After a stellar summer of training, she is feeling faster, stronger and fitter than ever. Having made the top 30s three times last season, Nishikawa is aiming to have strong finishes in the top 20s and top 15s.

Her goal of making the Tour de Ski will be great preparation for SkiTour Canada next March. She loves racing at home and is looking for a best-ever performance. And as for being the lone woman on the team, she knows that she will have teammates coming up to join her in no time. Her advice for all the women skiers out there is “to be consistent with your training and have confidence in your dreams. Using the USA women’s team as a role model, we can come together and achieve success as a team.”

Senior Development Team athletes Jesse Cockney, Dahria Beatty, Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt, Knutte Johnsgaard, Katherine Stewart-Jones, Cendrine Brown, and Graeme Killick are also looking for improved results on home soil. For Beatty, this is a chance to improve on her World Cup debut that took place three years ago in Canmore. “In 2012, the World Cup was a new experience for me. This time I am ready to race.”

For Killick, SkiTour Canada 2016 also represents a chance to perform at home. While his World Cup successes have typically been overseas, he is looking forward to having good form when the Tour kicks off in Quebec on March 1st.

It’s not long now until the 2015/2016 World Cup season begins and the Canadian National Team is eager to test their mettle against the best. Having focused towards peak performances this winter, Team Canada is hoping for success and with the 2015/2016 World Cup season culminating with the historic SkiTour Canada, it the promises to be one to be remembered.