| Junior Athlete Profile:10
Things You
Don't Know
Quel est le nom de votre équipe actuelle ? Je fais partie du Centre National d'Entraînement Pierre Harvey (CNEPH).
De quel club êtes-vous membre ? Je suis membre de Skibec Nordique qui regroupe des athlètes de la région de Québec
Quels sont vos objectifs professionnels? Représenter le Canada au championnat du monde junior en janvier prochain. Toujours avoir du plaisir dans la vie et toujours essayer de m'améliorer.
Comment avez-vous découvert le ski de fond ? Mes parents pratiquaient le ski de fond pour le plaisir et c'est mon frère Antoine qui m'a initié à l'aspect compétitif du ski, il a fait de la compétition en biathlon.
Comment arrivez-vous à concilier les études avec votre entraînement sportif? Je fais mon CEGEP en science de la nature en Sport-Études, je le fais en trois ans au lieu de 2 ans avec plusieurs cours par correspondance.
Quelle est votre moyenne académique ? Autour de 78%
À quoi ressemble une journée type d'entraînement ? Je me lève vers 7h45 et va voir la température qu'il fait dehors. Après un bon déjeuner qui se termine par une banane, je pars vers 9h00 pour faire un entraînement en distance, je retourne l'après-midi faire une petite sortie de récupération et finalement, le soir, je fais quelques étirements qui me permettent d'aller au lit détendu.
Avez-vous des projets pour après votre carrière de skieur ? Je ne sais pas encore exactement en quoi j'irai à l'université mais j'aimerais peut-être me partir une compagnie avec un ami : production de pogo pizza.
À quel endroit appréciez-vous le plus passer vos vacances ? À notre chalet au rang des Îles sur le bord du lac St-Jean, près d'Alma.
Quel est le meilleur livre que vous avez lu ? Mike Horn, Latitude zéro.
Quel est votre film favori ? Dumb and Dumber (la cloche et l'idiot).
Quel site de compétition préférez-vous ? Val Cartier, Qc
Quel moment des Jeux olympiques ou paralympiques aimez-vous le plus ? La victoire du Canada au relais 4 fois 100m en 1996 à Atlanta.
Qui ou quoi vous sert d'inspiration ? Ma famille, mes amis(es), la Gaspésie, Maurice Richard, Les Parsons et tous les grands sportifs de tous les sports. Le skieur qui m'inspire le plus est Anders Sodergren.
Quelle est votre couleur préférée ? Bleu
Si vous devez entretenir votre auto, que faites-vous ? Il faut dire qu'ayant un véhicule comme le mien, le véhicule de rêve qui n'a aucun défaut, qui a toute la puissance et l'esthétique requise pour un véhicule de haute gamme, je ne vois pas ce que je pourrais améliorer sur celle-ci. Je parle bien ici de ma Tercel 99! Haha! Sérieusement je mettrais un bon système de son car j'aime beaucoup écouter de la musique.
Avant une épreuve, quelle chanson écouteriez-vous? Shoot to Thrill, AC/DC
Qui est votre musicien préféré ? AC/DC est le groupe que j'ai le plus écouté mais j'écoute également toutes sortes de musique, je découvre présentement Snoop Dogg! | |
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Bliz eyewear is a new sponsor of the Canadian Cross Country Teams. The variety of glasses and snowvisors that they offer are now available online through our store.
CCC Red Canada toque
The NEW red Canada toque made of merino wool was made especially for the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics to cheer on our Canadian Cross Country Ski athletes.
Click here to check Out the New CCC E-store |
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Valued Partners and Sponsors
Funding Partners:
- Sport Canada
- Own the Podium
- Jemini Foundation
- National Cross Country
Development Association
Gold Partners: | 
Silver Partners:
Podium Partners:
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Cross Connections
December 2009 Co-editors: Chris Dornan, Cathy Sturgeon and Nadia Smith |
| Dear Cross Connections Subscriber,
Enjoy the news! We welcome your feedback anytime.
We wish to remind you to please consider the environment before printing this email.
Thank you and happy reading!
Nadia Smith
Assistant Administrator
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Seasons Greetings from the New (Returning) Executive Director (by Davin MacIntosh)
It is interesting how themes and cycles run through lives and careers. Some cycles are obvious, like seasons, and some are less conscious.
My first experience with CCC was in the mid 1990s as a National Development Training Centre athlete. It was a time of great learning as I built independence, strength and character and learned to train and race. I grew in the company of dedicated staff, volunteers and members who exhibited a level of commitment and excitement for skiing that I had not previously imagined.
After moving on to a career in law, I did not think I would return to CCC. However, a combination of forces both conscious and not so conscious has pulled me back, "full circle" so to speak. Who knows exactly what the magnetic forces are; a love of skiing, the pursuit of excellence, a desire for life-long fitness or just a need to be outdoors? All of these and more have pulled me back.
So I return with new experience and perspective on organization and life; ready for another period of great learning, facilitating and leading. I am just beginning to know the strengths, challenges and opportunities that exist for CCC. I know it will not always be easy, but I am intimately aware of the forces, cycles and passion that pull all of us back and together, as volunteers, staff, sponsors, members and skiers.
I wish you all a happy holiday season as you celebrate themes or cycles that run through your lives. May we work together to build a wonderful organization, may we be happy and may we ski. |
Para-Nordic Profile: Coaching Sensitivity (by: Melanie Ross) 
Each athlete is an individual. Though numerous aspects of training can work for everyone, the way we understand concepts and apply them are unique. When an athlete has a disability, it consists of a very personal set of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. For example: athletes who use wheelchairs do not all have the same disability. Coaches need to consider the athletes abilities but also have an understanding of their daily living activities, pain management, mental and emotional limits among other medical concerns.
A good coach will develop the ability to balance and have an understanding of the individual with the goals of the group/team. They also need to consider that their athlete may have a personal team of medical professionals who help them manage their health and well being. Creating a relationship with this group of people can be a great resource and support for the coach as well.
Communication is a key element between coaches, athletes, parents and medical professionals. The athlete has the responsibility of discussing any issues with their coaches as soon as they arise. In having an open discussion, both the athlete and coach will develop an understanding and have the ability to get the work together in achieving the athlete's goals and objectives. With a disability, if a physical strain is left, even for a short time, it can develop into a much larger issue very quickly.
There are many resources for coaches. Many National sports organizations have adaptive divisions and Cross Country Canada has a network of people that can offer advice and training but most importantly is to communicate with the athletes and do not be afraid to ask questions.
Though these points are focused on athletes with a disability, sensitivity to the individual in coaching is important regardless of ability and level of fitness. The goal is to create a learning environment where both the coach and athlete benefit - and both enjoy the experience of cross-country skiing. |
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Cross Country Canada's Living History Project! (by Jean Bristow)
We want to reconnect with as many people as possible who have been involved at one time or another with Cross Country Canada, going back as many years as possible.
- Have you ever been a member of the National Ski Team?
- Were you on the CCC Board of Directors at any time?
- Were you the chair or a member of a national committee?
If the answer is yes to any of those questions, or if you know someone who could answer yes to those questions and would like to register, please go to: CCC Living History Project. |
Cross Country Canada's Student Athlete Leadership Grant Program
Cross Country Canada is committed to helping university aged skiers to enhance their involvement in their sport by providing financial assistance for coaching and officiating courses. With this type of training, former athletes will be well-positioned to join a local ski club and become a knowledgeable volunteer and leader. Those who are not currently active racers also have a vehicle to become more involved in the sport. For more information and to download the application form, go to: Student Athlete Leadership Grant Program |
Club Profile: Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club, MB (by Alf Wikjord) For a small ski club located on the Canadian Shield 100 km northeast of Winnipeg, unique partnerships and dedicated volunteers are the recipe for success. The Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club's home base is Pinawa, a community of 1500 people nestled along the Winnipeg River adjacent to the Whiteshell Provincial Park.
Through a unique association with the Manitoba Recreational Trails Association, the Club's 45-km trail network is intertwined with the 28-km Pinawa Trail, which, in turn, is part of the Trans Canada Trail. The trail systems wind though boreal and aspen forests; cross granite ridges, creeks, swamps and beaver dams; and offer unlimited enjoyment for skiers in the winter, hikers and bikers in the summer, and photographers and naturalists all year round.
Thousands of hours of volunteer effort are required to maintain, groom and set the trails; deliver Jackrabbit and Ski Team programs; provide ski instruction and tours; and host competitions. For over three decades, the Club has held the annual Manitoba Loppet, the longest running marathon ski race in the Province, including a 50-km Super Loppet. To do so, the Club relies heavily on community volunteers. To stage a major triple cross-country ski event in February 2010, which comprises the Western Canadian Championships, a Canada Cup race and the Manitoba Provincial Championships, the Club has teamed up with the Red River Nordic Ski and Biathlon Club in Winnipeg. |
| Coach and Athlete Development Programs and Resources
-CP Ski Tournaments
-Double Cross
-Team Sprints
-Midget Championships
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Quote of The Month
"I am super relieved and thrilled that I was able to get my Olympic qualifier," said Crawford, who needed a top-20 finish on the World Cup. "It was really close, but I felt pretty relaxed and it was great to have the nerves and adrenaline of racing again. My shape is coming, but I have a long way to go and will keep working on it. I still have 70 days or so of good training and will be working extremely hard."
Chandra Crawford after earning her Olympic berth for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. |
Coaches Corner
"REST, at this time of year, can be MORE important than the actual TRAINING. Know your body and distinguish what it is it needs. Focus on process. Outcome oriented thoughts tend to end poorly. Smile and have fun!"
Eric de Nys, Senior Development Team Coach |
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Cross Country Canada is now using Twitter. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach Vancouver 2010! The NST and PNST will be posting regular updates so please follow along! Click here to access Cross Country Canada's Twitter account. | |
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