World cup races, world junior championships and more programming are all part of the Canmore Nordic Ski Club’s lofty goals for the 2015-16 season.
“It would be great to have athletes make national teams, both on the Winsport and Canmore Nordic side. That would be a very successful season,” said Canmore Nordic Ski Club program manager Alain Parent.
“We have everything that is needed to bring our athletes there. We have the resources, coaches with energy. It is time to get the next generation of athletes onto national teams.”
Two weeks before the local race season begins at the Canmore Nordic Centre, Parent said every level of the club is looking strong, beginning with senior skiers Russell Kennedy and Annika Hicks. Both are prime candidates to qualify for Ski Tour Canada, which runs from March 1-12.
“Russell and Annika were both ranked 10th nationally in distance racing last year. Once you crack the top 10, fifth is not too far. I hope they can rank into the top group and race in Europe,” Parent said.
“Annika had her best summer of training ever, and we hope that translates into her best winter ever. Russell turned it around last year. His distance skiing improved by a lot, but his sprinting wasn’t as good. He was seen as a pure sprinter, but he’s turned it around.”
Among the junior skiers, Canmore Nordic has one of the strongest groups in the country and Parent believes it’s time to let them loose internationally. Ty and Reed Godfrey, Thomas Manktelow and Sam Hendry all had great seasons last year and are ready to start making national teams.
“They have been racing at a high level and winning national medals. They have also bulked up. They are not little kids anymore. It bodes well for a great season for all of them, and they are a great pack pushing each other. It is showing in their training,” Parent said.
Canada will send two skiers to the Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, and there are spots on Canada’s world junior ski team available for Canmore athletes. Trial races are scheduled for Canmore and Vernon, B.C. in early December.
The women’s team has lost many of its athletes to school, as top skiers Emmy Phillips, Lauren and Georgia Turcot are studying out of country. Molly-Jane Strum, another standout, has taken a year off from racing. The current women’s crop is much younger.
On the biathlon side, Canmore Nordic’s team continues to grow under the supervision of Rachel Koroscil, with 50 biathletes in the program.
“We have a good crop coming through. They are a bit young, but there is a good atmosphere with Rachel. She’s made a good environment for those kids,” Parent said.
Canmore Nordic has also absorbed the Winsport Junior Ski team, following the departure of coach Eric de Nys, for six months.
Masters and adult athletes can also tap into the club’s resources this year, as Canmore Nordic will once again host adult lessons through winter. It has also formed an adult training night, and Parent said while there are no current plans in place, expansion into Banff could occur in the future.
On top of high performance, there are more recreational program opportunities. The club has partnered with École Notre-Dames-Des-Monts as part of a multi-sport program, and are again running their jackrabbit and radical skiers programs. The club continues to partner with Rundle Mountain Cycling Club, as well, adapting a multi-sport approach to training.
“The one thing we are missing is track and field. A track would be a huge benefit to all athletes in the valley,” Parent said.
Visit www.canmorenordic.com for more details.
