For Immediate Release – January 4, 2021
2021 Kicks off with some good news from the Black Tusk Nordic Events Society!
With the awarding of the 2023 FIS Nordic Junior/U23 Cross Country World Ski Championships this past October by the International Ski Federation, Black Tusk Nordic Events Society (BTNES), the host Organizing Committee, has been in full planning mode. BTNES was fully prepared to host the 2021 World Junior Trials this January, however, as inter-provincial travel was not permitted for sporting events, Nordiq Canada qualified the Canadian team through an alternate selection process. The good news is that a full Canadian squad of 16 to 23 year old racers will be competing in Finland in February. As well, Ski Jumping Canada and Nordic Combined Ski Canada will have a squad of competitors in Finland to compete against the best Junior’s in the world.
Photo of the 2016 Teck BC Champs when they were last held at WOP
For BTNES, planning has refocused to host the 2021 Teck BC Cross Country Ski Championships on March 20-22 at Whistler Olympic Park. This prestigious annual event was last held at Whistler in 2016, and in a normal year would bring 600 of the best athletes from throughout British Columbia together for sprints and distance competitions in both classic and skating techniques. BTNES is currently refining its COVID Safety Plan in collaboration with Whistler Olympic Park and provincial health and sport authorities to be fully ready for the event.
Following is a recent statement from Norman Laube, Chairperson of BTNES: “2020 was an exciting year for BTNES with the awarding of the 2023 FIS World Junior Champs as well as the key test events including the December 2021 FIS Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined Continental Cup and the March 2022 Canadian Nordic National Championships. As the Host Organizing Committee, we have assembled a dedicated team of expert volunteers that are working hard to be fully prepared for these exciting events. Of course, all our planning includes robust COVID safety protocols and we are in constant contact with the sport and health authorities to adjust our plans as appropriate.”
In December 2021, BTNES, along with Ski Jumping Canada, is also planning on firing up the ski jumps at Whistler Olympic Park by hosting the FIS CUP Ski Jumping/Continental Cup Nordic Combined. It is going to be such a crowd pleaser to watch the skiers soar again at WOP! The Continental Cup is a series of FIS ski jumping and Nordic Combined competitions ranking just below the level of World Cups. The event will bring together the best
Nordic jumping athletes from North America as well as select international competitors. Details will be posted on the BTNES website as they are confirmed.
Photo of FIS Cup 2017 at Whistler Olympic Park
BTNES will host a series of major Cross Country, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined events (including the 2022 Ski Nationals) leading up to the 2023 World Nordic Junior/U23 Ski Championships. This event will be the largest Nordic event hosted at Whistler Olympic Park since the 2010 Olympics and over 500 Nordic athletes from around the globe are expected to attend.
The final piece of good news is that BTNES was successful in helping to secure a $150,000 snow making grant for Whistler Sport Legacies. A snow making system at Whistler Olympic Park will allow for consistent early season conditions and provide certainty when hosting competitions. This grant was made possible through the Federal Gas Tax Community Works Fund in partnership with the Squamish Lillooet Regional District.
Black Tusk Nordic Events Society is kicking off its sponsorship campaign to be ready for the 2023 World Champs. If you are interested in supporting us, please contact Reid Carter at sponsorship@blacktusknordic.com. The society is also appreciative of donations and they can be made here (select Black Tusk Nordic Events Society-donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt): https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/Cross-CountrySkidefondCanada/club-donation.html
See more details on our website www.blacktusknordic.com. For all media inquiries contact Jeneen Sutherland at communications@blacktusknordic.com.
Black Tusk Nordic Events Society focuses on encouraging sport excellence to the World Championship and Olympic levels by hosting FIS sanctioned Cross Country, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined competitions at Whistler Olympic Park. They are committed to fostering community and driving economic opportunities for Nordic sports in the Sea to Sky corridor of British Columbia, Canada. Between now and 2023, they will host a variety of events in preparation for the 2023 FIS Nordic Junior/U23 World Ski Championships. www.blacktusknordic.com