March 1, 2006 – Thunder Bay will be host to more than 400 cross country ski athletes and 120 coaches from across Canada who will be taking part in the 2006 Cross Country Ski Nationals March 5-12. Among those skiers will be members of the National Ski Team returning from their Olympic adventure to compete on Canadian snow.
Although Olympic medallists and National Ski Team members Chandra Crawford, Beckie Scott and Sara Renner will be continuing the World Cup season along with George Grey and Devon Kershaw in Europe, the rest of the team, including Thunder Bay native Sean Crooks, will be taking part in the 2006 Cross Country Ski Nationals in Thunder Bay.

Al Maddox, Executive Director with Cross Country Canada, says that the caliber of athletes taking part in the weeklong competition will give us a glimpse at the up and coming Canadian talent who will comprise a significant portion of the 2010 Olympic Team. “We’ve got a strong contingent of skiers further motivated by the success of our Olympic medallists,” he says. “All of them are working toward goals that “target the podium” in the Vancouver Games.”

Liz Inkila, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, acknowledges the support of the local community. “We have over 250 volunteers registered to assist in all areas of this event,” she says. Thunder Bay has a strong legacy of Nordic skiing that is supported by local athlete development clubs, Jackrabbit programs, trail facilities, businesses and organizations.

Following opening ceremonies, which will be held March 4 in conjunction with the Sibley Ski Tour Awards, competition will begin Sunday March 5th at Lappe Nordic Ski Centre. Included on the race schedule are the “Cross Country Goes City” Madshus Sprints at the city-central sprint venue next to the Canada Games Complex on Friday March 10th.

For more information, contact:
Brook Latimer 768-7390
Jim Cameron 767-1872
Media Cell 628-9260


Communications Coordinator:

Jean E. Pendziwol 473-4569