If Cross Country Canada gets its way, Canmore and Lake Louise will host World Cup races in 2016 as part of a nation wide Tour de Ski event.
A delegation from the country’s leading cross-country ski organization and the Alberta World Cup Society is currently meeting with FIS in Dubrovnik, Croatia to pitch the proposal. They hope to have an answer by Sunday (June 9) from the international governing body.
The proposal, if accepted, would include nine to 10 races across Canada in February 2016. The tour would begin with two races in Gatineau, Que. for a distance race and city sprint. The races would then move to Quebec City for three races, including another city sprint similar to last year’s World Cup, and a race at Mont. Ste. Anne. World Cup athletes would then fly to Canmore for four races, including a mid-distance race on the Lake Louise trail network, finishing at the Chateau Lake Louise.
“We’ve been looking at this for four years. It’s a big thing to co-ordinate. This year we’re committed – we’re going for it,” said CCC High Performance Director Thom Holland, who is part of the bid team. “We want this event as a world championship type event. There is a hole in the World Cup schedule and we’re trying to do something different.”
The February races should mean good snow and a strong slate of international skiers, as the Tour would be the biggest event of the 2016 season. The 2012 Canmore and World Cup races were a success, but didn’t attract enough of the world’s elite racers.
“If you’re a racer, you’ve gotta come. There is nothing to save yourself for. This will be the event of the year,” Holland said. “This is different from holding a World Cup. This is a much more tightly co-ordinated event and it’s a united Canadian bid,” Holland said.
Communities across the country were asked to submit proposals to host World Cup races. Canmore and Quebec are natural fits, while the other two stops offer something a little different.
“Gatineau provides a great location. They have a history of hosting strong events with snow making, with the WinterLude festival, the Gatineau Loppett and the Eastern Championships, which are probably the biggest races in North America,” Holland said.
Lake Louise will offer something completely different, Holland said, as race organizers can offer single-track style courses through the trees, something different for the World Cup athletes.
The proposal would see the race begin and end at the Chateau Lake Louise, showcasing the landscape to the world.
“We’d offer the same distance for men and women: a 15 kilometre event with wide trails and narrowing trails. It’s a little different for the World Cup, and we’re looking for something a little different,” Holland said.
Holland said Parks Canada has been a part of discussions through the bid process, and has been on board.
Logistics will be the biggest challenge, as there will only be one or two rest days over the nine-day race schedule, Holland said.
“The big challenge is moving people. It’s a tour, so if there’s a break, you lose momentum. People are revved up and don’t want to wait for the next piece,” Holland said.
Canadian athletes will get a chance to compete, however, fewer than last year’s World Cup, where 30 athletes raced in Canmore and Quebec.
“Our athletes are always excited to race for Canada. We can involve a lot of people and this would be a great chance for our other athletes to compete. The Tour restricts numbers a bit, but there’s a chance for our next convergence of skiers.”
If the bid is rejected, Canmore is still guaranteed a World Cup stop in December 2016.
If they do get the Tour, they’ll cancel the December stop.
