January 15, 2014 (Kamloops, BC) - The second in a series of provincially sanctioned cross country ski races will be hosted at the Stake Lake Ski trails just 20 minutes south of Kamloops on the Lac Le Jeune road. The Overlander Ski Club has invited clubs from throughout the province to visit Kamloops for an exciting weekend of competition, January 25 and 26 2014. Nordic Ski Teams and their entourage of parents, coaches, wax technicians, volunteers, family and friends traveling from Vancouver Island, Northern BC, Kootenays, the Okanagan and many points in between will be arriving in Kamloops on Friday January 24th to prepare and participate. The Race Committee is working hard to ensure that both Free technique, individual start on Saturday (11:00am)and the Classic, mass start race on Sunday (10:00am)will be a success. The event will provide the local junior development team and other young Overlander athletes a chance to race on home “turf;” the Stake Lake race trails have been known to provide a challenging, yet exhilarating venue for competition.
Local athletes have prepared for the season with countless hours of dry land training on their own and with team support since May of this year. Head coach Dana Manhard and a number of dedicated volunteer community coaches have been working with athletes from Kamloops, Barriere and Merritt training for the local, regional and provincial series of races.
Many of the youth attend provincial and regional training camps sponsored by Cross Country BC (CCBC). Some of these keen young skiers have been competing in cross country races since early December, achieving personal bests, stellar performances and shining podium finishes throughout the province. Local junior development athletes Hanneli Ladyman, Sarah Manhard, Alyssa Manhard, Heather Vermey, Alex Spice, Garrett Tremblay, Elizabeth McKenzie Case and Alexander McDonald are all expected to do well in their respective categories. Coach Manhard notes “the BC Cup weekend will be a chance to showcase some of BC’s best young ski racers: their hard work and dedication to the sport of cross country skiing.”
Race registration is open until January 22, 2014 at www.Zone42014TeckBCCup#2
There are categories for racers Atoms up to juniors, open men and women, masters and Para Nordic options as well.
Spectators are welcome and they can catch much of the action in the stadium or out on the course if they ski or snow shoe to major intersections of the race trails. Car pooling to Stake Lake is encouraged as the race committee expects 250 or more competitors each day. Local Italian mobile catering company, Eats Amore will be on site with tasty breakfast and lunch options for racers, volunteers and spectators.
Cross Country BC is our provincial sport governing body for more than 16,000 cross country skiing members that belong to non- profit clubs throughout BC. CCBC offers programs, services and support for the continuous development of Nordic skiing for all ages and abilities, from novice through to international competitors. Teck Resources Ltd is the title sponsor of the Cross Country BC’s Skier Development Program; thereby supporting and encouraging sport excellence and providing BC youth with active healthy lifestyle opportunities and social experiences that will help prepare them for successful futures. For more information about Cross Country BC please visit www.crosscountry.ca