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Gold for Alex Harvey!
Photo credit: NordicFocus
Alex Harvey can add 'world champion' to his resume.
The 22-year-old cross-country skier from St-Ferr�oll-Les-Neiges, Que., won the gold today (Jan 31st.) in the 30-kilometre pursuit race at the under-23 world championships in Otepaa, Estonia, out-sprinting Russia's Evgeniy Belov for top spot.
Kevin Sandau of Calgary was 24th, while Graeme Killick of Fort McMurray, Alta., was 31st and Michael Somppi of Thunder Bay, Ont., was 40th.
Related article
Video Highlights: Harvey's U23 Win
30k U23 Press Conference with Alex Harvey |
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Fifth Spot for Kevin Sandau at Under-23 Cross Country Skiing World Championships
Photo credit: NordicFocus
Canada's Kevin Sandau saved his best international result for the perfect time. The Calgarian narrowly missed the podium after finishing in fifth spot in a men's 15-kilometre skate-ski race at the Under-23 Cross-Country Skiing World Championships in Otepaa, Estonia on Thursday, January 27th.
The 22-year-old leveraged a start in last weekends World Cup in Oetepaa to fine-tune his strategy for mastering the 3.75-kilometre rolling trail, which athletes loop four times. Sandau clocked-in at 36:04.8.
"I am very happy with the way things went. I was aiming for a top-10 so it went way better than I expected," said Sandau who also skied for Canada at last year's Under-23 World Championships. "I think getting a chance to check out the trails last week was a really good primer for today. They are deceivingly hard, but I was able to see how they skied and it really helped me."
Related article
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CCC E-Store
The CCC E-Store is carrying this year's Halti Gearhammer jacket and pant for men
and Halti Heavenly Basin jacket and pant for women.
For more information go to our website or call
1-877-609-3215. |
Coaches Corner: Justin Wadsworth (NST Head Coach)
Most people think skate-skiing is all about the legs, but in fact it's your upper body that gives you almost 70 per cent of your propulsion. With this in mind, next time you go out on your cross-country skate-skis, try switching between using only your upper body in the double poling technique, and then switch to using both your arms and legs.
When you switch to using both arms and legs try to use your upper body just as you did while only double poling. To really feel this in full effect try it on gradual uphill terrain. Try taking 10 strokes of upper body only, then 10 "normal" skating motion using your arms and legs.
Good luck and enjoy the skiing! |
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Top Quotes from the Tour de Ski
Photo credit: NordicFocus
Devon Kershaw:
"I'm thrilled. I'm more than thrilled. I absolutely cannot believe it. Justin kept telling me all year to be patient and the win would come. I wanted to believe him and I just kept staying with the plan. This is just unreal."
"I had the best skis in the world today. Our technicians are the best in the business and are the key to these podium results."
"I have a lot of confidence right now, but success starts with leadership. Justin has been a key leader for us all season. He has changed me as a skier and I am just so happy for our entire team right now."
Alex Harvey
"We saw Devon win a race and get three other podiums. We know it is possible. Today I was right there myself, and I know I can get on the podium too. It is definitely motivating."
Ivan Babikov
"I didn't stop fighting. I knew this race was my strength and I never seem to mind pain. That is the way I train and it prepares me for these types of races. It was nice to end the Tour with a good result."
Justin Wadsworth
As a team we knew we were capable of these results. We are hammering the recovery and hitting it full bore. We are definitely leading the world in this area. Fatigue and illness is always a concern, but that is why we got the bus to help make sure everyone was ready."
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CCC National Women's Ski Day - March 5, 2011
Credit: Maureen Kershaw
Cross-Country
Canada's Women on Skis program is inviting all cross-country ski clubs across Canada to host a fun, non-competitive ski day for women on Saturday, March 5, 2011. The National Women's Ski Day will be held annually on the first Saturday of March. This date will coincide with the International Women's Day which is held each year on March 8. Click here for more information.
Event Objectives
� Unify clubs across the nation in offering a female-specific ski day
� Promote cross-country skiing as a fun, social, and friendly sport for women
� Create awareness for female-specific ski programs and activities at the club and regional level |
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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
January 2011 Co-editors: Chris Dornan, Cathy Sturgeon and Barb Cartier |
| Dear Cross Connections Subscriber,
It has been an exciting January for cross country-skiing enthusiasts! Our National and Para-nordic teams have stepped up to a new level in international competition. What an incredible month it has been and we are all so very proud of each and every athlete!
Barb Cartier Assistant Administrator
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Canada's Nordic Heroes put AltaGas Employees Through Paces in Calgary
Credit: Chris Dornan
Photo credit: Laurie Souchotte
A selection of Canada's top cross-country skiers, including Devon Kershaw, put the employees and families of AltaGas Ltd. through the paces during a unique training session at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary mid-January.
"Everyone showed unbelievable heart that day and despite the frigid temperatures stayed out the entire time - we couldn't believe it," said Kershaw. 
Fresh off of his historic four-medal performance at the Tour de Ski, 28-year-old Kershaw united with members of the World Cup team to provide an afternoon of ski instruction and on-snow activities with AltaGas Ltd. - one of the team's gold medal partners.
Photo credit: Adlai Majer
Paul Nelson was one of the dozens of lucky employees who stepped into a pair of skinny skis and received instruction from two of Canada's most successful male cross-country skiers.
"I really enjoyed having the opportunity to ski with Devon and Ivan. They were very curious to know about AltaGas and all the things we have going on across Canada. While they are elite, world-class competitors, I found them to be very down to earth and approachable. I was inspired by the experience and plan to get back on my skis every weekend," said Nelson.
Kershaw became the third Canadian ever to win a World Cup cross-country ski race when he won the skate-ski sprint in Oberstdorf, Germany last month. Kershaw more than doubled his career medal total during the 10-day Tour de Ski by also adding two silvers and a bronze to his medal haul.
Joining Kershaw at the AltaGas celebration were fellow 2010 Olympians Ivan Babikov, Stefan Kuhn and George Grey, Paralympic coach Robin McKeever and National Junior Team members Heidi Widmer and Zach Holland.
Photo credit: Steve Coutts |
World Junior/U23 Championship Teams credit: James Cunningham
Every season Junior and U23 skiers from across the country travel to the trials races in early January with hopes of making the team to represent Canada at World Championships held this year in Otepaa, Estonia. The makeup of the team this year is a diverse group of skiers representing 5 divisions, 12 clubs and 3 NDC's. Alberta leads the way with 8 skiers followed by Ontario with 5 and Quebec, Yukon and BC with 2 each. Out of the 12 clubs sending skiers, 4 clubs are sending more than 1 skier (Foothills, Team Hardwood, Canmore Nordic and Whitehorse). Other clubs sending skiers are; Waterloo Region, Nakkertok, Rocky Mountain Racers, Banff Ski Runners, Sovereign Lake, Larch Hills, Mont Ste Anne and Lappe Nordic. Many of the World Championship team members are currently training with the NST and NDC's as part of CCC's high performance system. The Alberta World Cup Academy leads the way with 9 skiers, NDC Thunder Bay and CNEPH both have 3 and the NST Canmore with 1 skier.
Racing is currently underway (Jan 26th-31st) with regular updates and viewing info posted on the CCC website.
Live coverage should be shown with a 7 hour time difference to Eastern time in Canada.
www.fiscrosscountry.com/juniors-u23-champs-otepa/eurosport-transmission-t.html
Note you may also be able to watch many events on Estonian Television ETV1
http://otse.err.ee/etv
A highlight would be to watch Alex Harvey's performance in the U23 pursuit race on Monday.
Video coverage of the races can typically be found at:
http://www.fromsport.com/c-11.html
or
http://myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&part=sports&discipline=other
Sometimes additional software must be downloaded to view the feed.
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Para-Nordic: Canada's Para-Nordic Team Shines at IPC World Cup in Finland
Credit: Mike Edwards
Canadian Para-Nordic skiers had a stellar week at the first IPC World Cup this season in Vuokatti Finland January 13-23 as three different skiers took home a total of 6 medals. National Team Leader and Biathlon Coach Kaspar Wirz was with the team and was impressed by how the team performed in the first major event of the season.
The week was highlighted by a career-best World Cup gold medal in the final competition for National Team 'standing' skier Mark Arendz. The 20 year old originally from PEI and now living in Canmore earned his gold medal in the Biathlon Long Distance competition where he skied fast but guaranteed his medal by shooting clean. "That was amazing," said Arendz. "My first World Cup victory and to shoot clean - nothing feels better." Mark captured a total of three medals and rounded out his count with a Silver medal in the Biathlon Short Distance and a Bronze medal in the Biathlon Pursuit.
Jody Barber of Smithers BC had a great week as well capturing a Bronze medal in both the Cross-Country Pursuit and Cross-Country Long Distance 'standing' events.
Chris Klebl formerly a US Para-Nordic sit-skier but now living and training in Canmore and competing for Canada impressed his new team by winning a Bronze medal in the Cross-Country Pursuit in only his second event racing for Canada. With two other top 5 placings in Vuokatti Chris showed that he will be an integral part of the Canadian Para-Nordic Team in the future.
Vetern Lou Gibson of BC and 'up and comer' Sebastien Fortier of Quebec rounded out the Canadian contingent in Vuokatti.
Canada's Para-Nordic skiers are looking forward to bringing home more medals this season when IPC World Cup competition resumes in February with events in Sollefta Swe and Finsterau Ger. The ultimate goal this year is to be ready for the IPC World Championships April 1-10 in Khaty Mansiysk, Russia where the team will be looking for a best ever performance.
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Sport Nutrition: Protein and Related Sports Supplements credit: Coaching Association of Canada | |
Proper nutrition is essential for overall good health and optimal athletic performance.
Athletes need more protein than inactive individuals. While high quality food sources (milk, meat, eggs, cheese, soy) can easily meet their protein needs, athletes often turn to popular protein supplements as a quick fix.
Protein is an essential nutrient needed for growth and development, to maintain muscle, to produce hormones, enzymes, red blood cells and white blood cells/ immune system. Dietary protein is required on a daily basis, especially on days of physical training. Supplemental protein (in powders, bars and drinks) is not superior to protein-rich foods, especially since many protein supplements lack essential carbohydrates, vitamins (e.g. B-vitamins) and minerals (e.g. iron, calcium, zinc) found in natural foods, hence the use of supplemental protein as an "extra" rather than as a replacement in meals.
Full article
To purchase Cross Country Canada's InterACTIVE Nutrition Recovery Drink Mix, click here | |
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Club Profile: Government of Canada invests in Menihek Nordic Ski Club, NL
Labrador CITY, nl - January 20, 2011 - The residents of Labrador City and the surrounding region will benefit from access to improved facilities at the Menihek Nordic Ski Club as a result of more than $200,000 in support from the Government of Canada.
Senator Fabian Manning was in Labrador City today to make the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
"Our Government is investing in communities to create employment and economic growth across Canada," said Senator Manning. "We understand that by investing in recreational infrastructure we are helping to build strong, vibrant communities for our children and their future."
The federal funding will help the Menihek Nordic Ski Club Association acquire a new cross-ski groomer to maintain trails at the facility and a wireless timing package which will add to the professional quality of the facility allowing it to remain competitive within the overall skiing marketplace.
In addition, the Association will replace its temporary trail lighting allowing skiers to make more use of the facility by extending its hours.
Full article |
CCC's 2011 "Target the Podium" calendar...like you've never seen it before!  Make money for your club. Special discounts for bulk orders. This year's calendar is packed with heart and is sure to motivate with: - Storytelling images
- A new edgy finish
- Monumental Olympic / Paralympic highlights!
Still unbelievably affordable ... see a teaser of the calendar pages here. Contact [email protected] or 1-877-609-3215 for more information or to place your order. Thanks for your support! |
Gatineau Loppet 53km Skate: Canada Points, Prize Money, Free Accommodation for Elite Skiers!
The Gatineau Loppet would like to make several announcements concerning its signature elite event, the 53km skate.
Full article |
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Coach and Athlete Development Programs
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Cross Country Canada's Student Athlete Leadership Grant Program
Cross Country Canada is committed to helping university aged skiers 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.
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Cross Country Canada's Living History Project
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, go to: CCC's Living History Project in order to register in our database. .
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