THUNDER BAY CROSS COUNTRY SKIERS KICK OFF 2014/15 RACING SEASON
NDC ROCK Ski Invitational held at Lappe Nordic Centre
THUNDER BAY, ON (Nov. 14, 2014) – Thunder Bay XC-skiers kicked off their 2014/15 racing season today at the Lappe Nordic Centre. 14 athletes competed on a 2-kilometre loop expertly shoveled and groomed by local ski aficionado Pauli Kaki. The Men’s 8 lap (16km) race was dominated by Andy Shields who won by 2 minutes over fellow National Development Team member Bob Thompson. Evan Palmer-Charrette, also of the National Development Team rounded out the podium in third. Victory in the Women’s 5 lap (10km) competition was taken by NDC skier Jenn Jackson over teammate Alannah MacLean. Local Lappe Ski Club skier Laura Inkila took 3rd place.
National Development Centre Head Coach Timo Puiras was quoted as saying “This was a good practice race for our upcoming season. Having recently returned from an altitude camp in Alberta everything looks to be on track.” NDC athletes will depart Thunder Bay at the end of November for a month long racing series in Montana and British Columbia. Puiras continued “the main goal of the season will come in January when athletes will be looking to qualify for the World Junior/Under 23 World Championships in Almaty Kazakhstan.” Puiras will be the lead coach for those Championships and is confident that several Thunder Bay National Development Centre athletes will ski fast enough to qualify. The season will culminate in March when Thunder Bay will play host to the Canadian National XC Ski Championships.
The annual NDC Nordic Fest FUNdraiser Dinner will be held Saturday November 15th at 6pm. Tickets are still available. Please email ndcthunderbay@gmail.com for more information.