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Teck Kootenay Cup in Kimberley this weekend
On January 18 and 19, the Kimberley Nordic Club will host the third and fourth races in the Kootenay Cup series.
On Saturday, January 18, at 1 p.m. skiers from B.C., Alberta, and the U.S. will race a mass start free technique race with distances up to 20-km.
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, three-skier club teams will compete in a classic technique relay race with distances up to 7.5-km.
“Last year, we had our biggest race yet, with nearly 150 skiers competing over the weekend, from Olympic athletes to local recreational skiers and from four-year-olds to skiers in their sixties,” said Gail Rousseau of the race organizing committee. “We encourage everyone to come out and make this year’s event bigger once again.”
As always, the race is part of a five race Kootenay Cup series taking place over the winter, with the club with the best results over the season taking home the Kootenay Cup for the year. “The Kimberley Nordic Club has never taken home the cup,” said Bill Green, long-time race committee chair, “but this might be the year.”
Recreational skiers can compete in a category of their own on Saturday, racing a 10-km open technique course. They can also enter teams in the classic technique 7.5-km three-person relay on Sunday. There are also many categories for children of all ages, with courses as short as 500m and 1000m for the youngest competitors.
“Of course, we provide plenty of warm food after the race for all competitors and volunteers” said Ali Wilson, food coordinator, “and there are tons of draw prizes. The event really promotes a sense of community in the local and regional Nordic ski scene.”
For those who don’t want to compete, spectators are always welcome. Better yet, volunteers are always needed to help with the race itself and with the food services. “It takes dozens of volunteers to put on an enjoyable and high quality race every year” said Rousseau, “so we encourage anyone interested to get in touch.”
Competitors can register online at zone4.ca until January 16 at 11 p.m. Volunteers are encouraged to contact Bill Green ([email protected] or 250-427-0498). For spectators, the action starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and runs for a couple hours each day. A section of the Nordic trails remain open during the race for anyone to enjoy a ski.
Come out and support your local and surrounding Nordic ski clubs at a fun-filled weekend at the beautiful Kimberley Nordic Centre. There will be food, music, and a whole lot of fun to be had!
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