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In This Issue
A Chance to Vote for Beckie Scott for Top 10 Olympic Moments!
Quote of the Month
CCC E-Store Product of the Month
Skiing On A Quarter - Royal Canadian Mint Counts Down to 2010
VANOC Successfully Completes Testing at Nordic-Combined, Cross-Country Skiing and Ski Jumping Sport Events as Spectators Get Preview of 2010 Venue
Club Spotlight: Flin Flon & Ceighon Ski Clubs
Para-Nordic Profile: International Committee Workl Cup Action Comes Back to Canada
Club Volunteers of the Month: Paul Chambers & Sue Appleyard of Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club, Pinawa, Manitoba
Heroes of Tomorrow: 10 Things You Don't Know About Kara Jasper
Olympians Reveal Fun-Loving Quirks and Qualities in Unique Vignette Campaign
A Chance to Vote for Beckie Scott for Top 10 Olympic Moments!
Beckie Scott2The list of great Canadian achievements is long, and etched in our memories are the successes Canada has earned on the world stage, on the ice and snow
 at the Olympic Winter Games.
With so many outstanding moments
to remember, we would like to know: which one stands above the rest in your mind?
With less than one year until the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Royal Canadian Mint proudly presents an opportunity to
be a part of history, to help immortalize the greatest Canadian Olympic Winter Games moments
- and win a trip to Vancouver 2010 to witness history in the making!
 
For more details, please go to: here and get a chance to vote for Beckie Scott's bronze medal in cross country skiing when it was upgraded to gold when two Russian medallists were disqualified for blood doping during  the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
Quote of the Month
 "I am so happy for the guys. It is days like these when they get on the podium that are so special and you never forget them. In 2002, we had one medal. In 2006, we had two and now we have a number of athletes that have potential to win and that is really exciting. It is also very important so the pressure isn't all on one person." 
Dave Wood 
....Dave Wood, team leader, National Ski Team following George Grey and Alex Harvey winning a World Cup bronze medal in Whistler, B.C.
CCC E-Store Product of the Month: 
 

CCC Buff

This is the chance you have been waiting for! When purchasing a Nisga'a Killer Whale sweater, you will be supporting the Canadian Cross Country Ski Team.
 
These 100% Merino Wool sweaters were designed by the artist Salina Sampar and was created by Kootenay Knitting, proud sponsor of the Canadian Cross Country Ski Team and Official Olympic Apparel Licensee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
 
Our athletes are also wearing the Nisga'a Killer Whale toque and scarf by the same artist and company.
 
All three products are now available on our online store in limited quantities.  
 
 
If you would like to know more about the Kootenay Knitting Company, please go to
Quick Links
Contact Us
 
Sea to Sea to Sea 
 
Think about signing up your club today!

Valued Partners and Sponsors

Funding Partners: 
  • Sport Canada
  • Own the Podium
  • Jemini Foundation
  • National Cross Country
    Development Association

Gold Partners: 

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AltaGas
 
 
StatoilHydro logo

Silver Partners:

CP 

Podium Partners:

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 RMSL


 
Cross Connections
February 2009
Co-editors: Chris Dornan, Cathy Sturgeon and Nadia Smith 
Dear Cross Connections Subscriber,
Enjoy the news! We welcome your feedback anytime.
Thank you,
Nadia Smith
Assistant Administrator
[email protected]
Skiing On A Quarter-Royal Canadian Mint Counts Down to 2010

 

During the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup competition at Whistler Olympic Park in January, The Royal Canadian Mint launched the latest coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection, featuring cross-country skiing.
 
"As the Mint begins the third year of its extensive Vancouver 2010 circulation and commemorative coin program, we are pleased to kick-off 2009 with a coin that features a sport enjoyed by Canadians of all ages from coast to coast," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "While our athletes continue their training towards Vancouver, we encourage Canadians to save this special coin, along with the other coins in the Vancouver 2010 collection, as a unique way to build momentum and wish them the very best of luck."
 
"We truly appreciate the opportunity to reach out and showcase our sport to Canadians in every corner of this country through this special initiative by the Royal Canadian Mint," said Al Maddox, executive director, Cross Country Canada. "It is through these unique projects that we are able to instil the Olympic dream in all Canadians, while engaging them in our exciting journey to the podium in 2010."
 
Up to 22 million 25-cent cross-country skiing coins entered into circulation in mid-January. In addition, the Mint will place in circulation a special Silver Medallion in April that features skiers using both classic and skate technique.
Read More...

All medallists at the 2009 FIS World Cup in Whistler were lucky recipients of pre-circulation medallions including Canada's own George Grey and Alex Harvey who provided the signature race of the World Cup by bringing home bronze in the men's team sprint - the final race of the weekend in Whistler. 
 
Cross-country skiers competed at the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, France, in 1924, in 18-kilometre and 50-kilometre races for men. Ladies' cross-country skiing made its debut at the Oslo 1952 Olympic Winter Games. The cross-country skiing technique known as skating or free technique became a separate Olympic competitive discipline at the Calgary 1988 Winter Games. In 2010, there will be twelve Olympic cross-country events (six each of men's and women's' disciplines) and ten Paralympic cross-country events (five each of men's and women's disciplines).  
 
Designed by Canadian artist Glenn Green of Vancouver, BC, the cross-country skiing circulation coin features a cross-country skier in the centre, a stylized maple leaf and the words 'Vancouver 2010'. The obverse features the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, rendered by Susanna Blunt.
 
For more information on the Royal Canadian Mint Olympic collection visit here 

Royal Canadian Mint-crop

VANOC Successfully Completes Testing at Nordic-Combined, Cross-Country Skiing and Ski Jumping Sport Events as Spectators Get Preview of 2010 Venue
 Whistler WC logo
VANOC successfully completes testing at Nordic-combined, cross-country skiing and ski jumping sport events as spectators get preview of 2010 venue Whistler Olympic Park was on display to the public for the first time last month and according to athletes, officials and spectators - the venue did not disappoint.  
 
The newly-constructed outdoor facility hosted the Nordic Combined World Cup and Cross-Country Skiing World Cup from January 16 to 18, and the Ski Jumping World Cup from January 23 to 25 as VANOC successfully completed its operational testing at the three sport events.
 
"We had very positive feedback on the venue from athletes, officials and spectators for all three sport events," said Tim Gayda, VANOC's vice-president of sport. "The weather could not have been better for both weekends, and we look forward to hosting these athletes again in 2010 at this world-class facility."
 
All three sport events were well attended as more than 7,500 people took in the Nordic combined and cross-country skiing World Cup events, while approximately 10,000 people attended the ski jumping World Cup over the course of the three-day event.
Club Spotlight: Flin Flon & Creighon Ski Clubs (by Dave Price)   
 Flin Flon & Creighon Ski Clubs
Our Ski Club boasts some of the finest cross-country trails in western Canada.  The trailhead and the cozy chalet are located a short distance south of town.  The 27-km network offers gentle even trails for the beginner and rugged challenging sections for those with more experience.  You can meander through the forest and enjoy spectacular views of the area's lakes from rocky hilltops.  Evening skiing is available throughout the season around the 2.5-km illuminated Valley Loop.
 
We came to the attention of skiers nationwide when we hosted the Shell Cup Canadian Junior Championships in 1982.  We have hosted the Manitoba Championships twice, and right now we are in the final stages of preparation for the Saskatchewan X-C Championships, which are to take place here February 28 - March 1.  If you look at a map, you will see that Flin Flon and Creighton are on either side of the inter-provincial boundary - in fact, you can meander from one province to the other by skiing along our Boundary Trail!
 
The Ski Club hosts a number of events and programs each season, such as the Open House in November, the Jackrabbit and Moms and Tots programs, guided tours and moonlight socials.  On March 15 this year, the Club will host its 34th annual "Centaloppet".  This is a fun event for every member of the family.  The mass start is on Ross Lake in the middle of Flin Flon, and the finish - after a pleasant and easy 4-km ski - is at the Chalet.   
 
Through our affiliation with Cross Country Saskatchewan and the generosity of local businesses and organizations - together with the hard work of our volunteers, things are looking up around here!  We now have a new shelter on our Carlisle Loop, a deck and other improvements at the Chalet, and a renovator-leveler and a skate drag have been added to our inventory of trail grooming equipment.
 
It's snowing as I write, so it's onward and upward at Flin Flon & Creighton Ski Club.  Hope you can drop by and check out our trails sometime!
Para-Nordic Profile: International Paralympic Committee World Cup Action Comes Back to Canada (by Len Apedaile)IPC Logo
 
March 2009 will see back-to-back IPC World Cups at Whistler Paralympic Park and Mount Washington BC featuring the top skiers from 19 countries including Canada's highly decorated senior World Cup Team and the up and coming senior development team.
 
The 2009 season World Cup # 2 will take place March 4-7 at Whistler Paralympic Park, venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This event will serve as the official test event for 2010, providing an opportunity for athletes and officials alike to test the venue and the race formats before 2010.
 
The 2009 World Cup # 3 (Finals) will take place the following week (March 10-14) at Mount Washington on Vancouver Island - a repeat of the successful World Cup finals held there in 2007. IPC World Cups involve both cross-country skiing and biathlon events, which provides for diverse, exciting competition. For more information please visit the following event websites:
Club Volunteers of the Month: Paul Chambers & Sue Appleyard of Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club, Pinawa, Manitoba 
 Sue Appelyard & Paul Chambers at timekeeping station
Paul and Sue are a dynamic duo. They have actively supported the programs and activities of the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba (CCSAM), dating back to the 2006 Manitoba Winter Games. They have played leading roles as Race Director and Chief of Electronic Timing in CCSAM's largest event, the Manitoba Loppet. They hold the same positions on the host committee of a major triple event to be held in February 2010 - the Western Canadian Championships, Canada Cup race and CCSAM Provincial Championships.
 
For the 33rd Manitoba Loppet and Manitoba Cup race held in January 2009, Paul and Sue implemented a smooth and seamless migration of race management software from the homegrown RaceWizard to the CCC-accredited Zone4. Manitoba is now well positioned to use an accredited software package for race registration, timing and reporting. Paul and Sue will undoubtedly be expending hundreds of hours in the count down to the 2010 triple event. Their teamwork, knowledge and expertise, positive and cheerful demeanour, and boundless energy are invaluable assets to CCSAM.
Heroes of Tomorrow: 10 Things You Don't Know About Kara Jaspers 
Matt Wylie
Name: Kara Jaspers
Hometown: Thunder Bay, ON
My best finish in a cross-country skiing event was.....my first nationals that were held in Thunder Bay during the skate-ski sprint races.  I got third which was my first nationals medal. There was lots of people lining the side of the trail because lots of schools came to watch, which made it very exciting.
My biggest inspiration in life is....When I was younger I always wanted to be like my older brother Brayden, but he was usually better at everything than I was. It probably made me work a lot harder.
Growing up I have always wanted to be.... It has changed a lot, but I mostly wanted to be either a vet or a sports medicine doctor.
My favourite team sport is....volleyball
My favourite movie is....Cool Runnings 
Before a race I will listen to....anything gangster on my ipod.
If I could Rule the world for a day I would....demand a free jet and money and travel somewhere exciting with lots of friends. But of course, I would also do some good deeds like help the poor out.
If I could only have one more meal it would be.....perogies, ham, applesauce...and cheesecake for dessert.
My favourite place in the world to visit is .... Nicaragua
My greatest Olympic moment is....when I finished a Jackrabbit race and I got a chocolate bar and a medal (so did everyone else)...I felt like a champion.
Disco Dancers, High-Heel Hipsters and Fleeting Fast Talkers
Olympians Reveal Fun-Loving Quirks and Qualities in Unique Vignette Campaign
(by Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium)
 
Chandra Crawford-headshot with Kootenay Knitting Sweater
Canadians are getting an up-close and personal look at the lighter side of their Olympic athletes with an original vignette campaign by Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium that shines the spotlight on Canada's best and brightest like never before. 
 
Launching today in celebration of the one-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, 'Get To Know Your Canadian Athletes' showcases 25 top English and French Olympians as they reveal surprising details about their personalities and lifestyles.  Each athlete is profiled five different ways, for a total of 125 vignettes.  
The vignettes will air nationally in English and French through February 2010 on the Consortium's 40+ television assets and promotional partners, as well as on the Consortium's dedicated websites,
www.CTVOlympics.ca  and www.RDSolympiques.ca .
 
'Get To Know Your Canadian Athletes' complements the Consortium's "BELIEVE" promotional campaign, which launched last month, and reinforces the Consortium's commitment to making Olympic athletes household names in advance of Vancouver 2010. "We have created a star system to give these Olympic athletes the recognition, profile and credit they so richly deserve.  Their unwavering dedication to intense training and competition is to be admired.  We want to turn our Canadian Olympic athletes into celebrities," said Keith Pelley, President, Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium.  "It is our hope Canadians will embrace and fall in love with our Olympic heroes well before Vancouver 2010." 
 
The vignettes focus on five different aspects of each athlete's character and traits:
My Story, My Style, My Sport, My Music and My Stuff. 
� My Story - Athletes let down their guard and reveal their beliefs, values and principles.  What's most important to them? What do they stand for? What's the greatest life lesson they've learned?
� My Style - It's all about fashion, flair and style.  Who are the athlete's wearing? Favourite designers? Most cherished article of clothing?
� My Sport - Athletes describe what drives them to succeed and why their sport has such appeal
� My Music - Rock, Jazz, Classical, Disco or Hip-Hop?  What do athletes listen to when training? What's on their iPod?
� My Stuff - All the fun-loving quirks, traits and idiosyncrasies that make the athletes unique
 
Produced by the Consortium, each vignette begins in similar fashion with the Olympian asking, "Do you know me?"  And each vignette tells the athlete's unique story: 
 
Freestyle skier and fashionista Jenn Heil never leaves home without two pairs of high heels.
� Skeleton racer and fast talker Jon Montgomery, who works part-time as an auctioneer, describes his sport as "a cafeteria tray on rails going down a frozen toilet shoot".
Figure skater Joannie Rochette sleeps with a pet stuffed monkey wrapped around her neck.
Cross-county Skier Chandra Crawford considers herself a disco dancing queen and carries a 'music purse' as she dances down the street while listening to tunes on her iPod.
� Figure skater Patrick Chan admits to being shy around girls but tries to make eye contact with the good-looking ladies in the audience during his performances. 
 
Cross-Country skiing athletes featured in the 'Get To Know Your Canadian Athletes' vignette campaign also include Devon Kershaw.
Athlete Forum
 
A reminder that the Athlete Forum is now open. Please click here to register or login.

Thank you,
 
Nadia Smith
Cross Country Canada

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