Fernie Nordic Society was pleased to host the Teck Kootenay Cup #3 and #4 the weekend of January 5 and 6.

Countless hours of effort by a dedicated volunteer team led to a successful weekend of racing and team spirit. Pre-season trail improvements combined with incredible efforts by the grooming team resulted in excellent conditions for the skate and classic races, despite challenging warm weather just days before the event.

The Free Technique event saw 59 starts, with participants racing distances ranging from 175 metres (Bunnyrabbits) to 7.7 km. The Classic Technique event had 48 starts and racers had the additional challenge of waxing for a variety of conditions with Fernie experiencing sunny breaks between snow squalls.

The Elk Valley Nordic Centre is known for its varied terrain and challenging hills. This year, race organizers provided course elevation profiles as a new benefit to out of town participants. Playing to the love of an added challenge on a hilly course, a speed trap was set on ‘The Runt’ to measure the male and female skiers with the fastest ascent time up this long, winding hill.

The winners of this speed trap were two teenage racers: Mac Dressler of Fernie for the male category and Sydney Wilson of Kimberley for the female category.

For both races, there was a strong showing of Fernie club members, with most other racers hailing from Kimberley. Additional participants registered were from Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Missoula, Montana and a visitor from Scotland! The youngest racer was four-years-old, and the oldest 74; a Fernie club member who posted her personal best in the free technique.

Results for both free and classic technique races are available at Zone4.

Chief of Race, Virginia Robinson, was pleased with the event: “We are thrilled with the participation of the Fernie club and community in this year’s Kootenay Cup Race. Despite the challenging weather days before the race, our grooming team was able to deliver great course conditions. A huge thanks to all of our volunteers for their efforts over the past weekend, and the weeks leading up.”

Racers and Timing volunteers alike enjoyed the new ankle chip timing, technology that was made possible by funding from BC Games Society to Cross Country BC, making the ankle chips available for all clubs in B.C. to utilize free of charge.

Thanks to local sponsors and supporters – including local restaurant Infinitea for the catering, volunteer bakers providing treats and Starbucks for the hot beverages. Thank you to Teck for sponsoring the Kootenay Cup, and supporting nordic skiing in our communities.

Lead image: Triple Fernie podium – 1st Place – Adele Stahl (middle); 2nd Place – Makaela Burt (right); 3rd Place – Marley Robinson-Shaw (left). Photos submitted

Fernie Nordic Society

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