The Strathcona Nordic Ski Club (SNSC) braved frosty -20 C temperatures and an epic drive to race in the BC Cup #1 in Prince George last weekend.
The 14-member team skied hard and represented Vancouver Island well at the first race in the highly competitive series. The team also brought home medals.
“Despite the challenging conditions, I was very pleased with our team,” said coach Dave Battison. “Our athletes dug very deep and skied hard.” For many of the racers, it was the coldest conditions in which they had ever skied.
The SNSC cross-country racing team is comprised of members from all over the Island – from Victoria all the way up to Campbell River. Racers Willie Herchmer, Michael Ravensbergen, Sylvia Watkins, Jamie Wasteneys, Sheridan Meckert, Emmalee Vandermale, Ariel Becherer, Alec Stapff, Sydney Vandermale, Malia Irvine, Morgan Meckert, Avalon Wasteneys, Brian Stamp and Brian Vandermale raced at the BC Cup #1. The following brought home medals:
Brian Stamp (Campbell River) gold masters skate technique 5km, gold masters classic technique 10km; Sylvia Watkins (Royston) gold JF1 skate technique 5km, gold JF1 classic technique 7.5km; Ariel Becherer (Black Creek) gold JV2 classic technique 5km, bronze JVG2 skate technique 3.5km; Alec Stapff (Campbell River) bronze MB2 skate technique 2.5km; Malia Irvine (Comox) bronze JVG1 skate technique 3.5km; Avalon Wasteneys (Campbell River) silver MG2 classic technique 3.5km.
The SNSC race team is training for six more races this season, including two home races at Mount Washington – the Vancouver Island Loppet on March 26 and the Coastal Cup #4 on Feb. 12-13. All Nordic ski racers are welcome to take part in these races.
Registration is open for the Coastal Cup #4. Visit info@StrathconaNordics.com for more details.