Twenty-seven Strathcona Nordic racers began the season with a haul of medals at the Teck Coast Cup #1 cross-country ski race at Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley.
The limited amount of snow on the regular trails was no impediment for racers. The almost 1km ski course was made using last season's snow, which had been stored under sawdust to protect it from the summer heat. The ski course was called 'Callaghan Gold', and the course provided our local Island team with just that – gold.
Head coach Andrea Stapff says, "It was a fantastic start to our racing season – a great weekend, surprisingly great snow, and excellent performances from our racers ranging in age from atoms to masters.”
Taking home gold were: Gavin Chatterton and Emmy Stapff from Campbell River, Carson Damery; Gabriel Gledhill and Tallon Noble from the Comox Valley. Silver went to Stephen Lamon, Emma Wong, Ross Lamon, Connor McGrady and Patty Johnson of the Comox Valley and Anna Chatterton of Campbell River; and bringing home bronze medals were Luke Damery and Aiden Noble of the Comox Valley.
Next weekend, the Strathcona Nordics racing team is off to Vernon to race in the Haywood NorAm.
Registration is open for Strathcona Nordics recreational programs, which begin in January, but they say, “register soon before the programs are full!”
Visit StrathconaNordics.com to learn more and to register.
– Strathcona Nordics