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January 2013
Co-editors: Cathy Sturgeon, Martine Grenon & Chris Dornan |
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PARTNERS AND SPONSORS |
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Funding partners:
- Sport Canada
- Own the Podium
- Jemini Foundation
- National Winter Sport Association
Major partners: |
Podium partners:
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SUPPORT CCC! | |
From children learning to ski in our Jackrabbit programs to our National Ski Team athletes taking on the world, Cross Country Canada is there, every step of the way.
Help turn a young skier's dream into reality! |
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BMO CCC MASTERCARD |
Every time you use your BMO Cross Country Canada MasterCard to make a purchase, a payment is made to CCC from BMO Bank of Montreal at no additional cost to you. Reward yourself. |
| PROJECT PODIUM | |
There has never been a more important time to support Cross-country skiing in Canada. After a remarkable 2012 season, we now stand firmly among the top ski nations in the world. The bar has been raised. Our expectations have never been higher. As a member of Project Podium you have an exclusive opportunity to be part of our team as we set our sights on Sochi 2014.
Funding from this program will go toward providing our skiers with the coaching, training and support that they need to take on the world.
For more details, please visit Project Podium. |
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CCC Store...
NEW One Way Tuques!
Check out our fabulous new One Way CANADA tuques!
Here is the Spirit Beanie that will for sure keep you warm and spice up your winter with its flashy colors!
Order yours today through CCC's Store !
Remember that all proceeds from the Cross Country Canada Online Store go directly towards the National Ski Team, Para-Nordic Ski Team and CCC Youth Development Programs! |
 Job Corner...
There aren't any new jobs posted at the moment.
Please visit the Jobs section on our website for more information. |
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Cross Connections
Dear Cross Connections subscriber,
We look forward to keeping you up to date on all the latest news throughout the season.
Please send us your feedback as we greatly appreciated it and helps us improve.
Martine Grenon-Lafontaine
Coordinator of Administration & Communication
[email protected]
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Successful Tour de Ski for Canada's Nordic Athletes
Despite the slowish start, Canada is presently ranked 4th out of the 21 mens teams competing on the World Cup circuit. Russia tops the men's list followed by Norway (overall leaders) and Sweden. The women are ranked 12th of 19, missing out on some points opportunities by not participating in the Tour de Ski.
On another statistical note Len Valjas placed 5th in the Tour's sprint standings, based on seconds awarded to the top 3 skiers in each race, bonus sprint sections in several of the races and results from the sprint race. Alex finished 10th, Devon 13th and Ivan 25th, behind the leader Petter Northug. Tour de Ski Sprint Standings
With the completion of the Tour de Ski, the season enters a new segment of the World Cup circuit. Canada's men's team seems to have rebounded from a slow start, and is gearing up for the next big goal, the World Championships in February.
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Canadian Para-Nordic Athletes Dominate at IPC World Cup in Cable, Wisconsin
 | | Photo: James Netz |
Canada's Para-Nordic squad has been dominating at the IPC World Cup in Cable, Wisconsin, adding a gold and silver to its bag of medals tuesday, bringing the total to 9 medals.
Brian McKeever, of Canmore, Alta., completed their golden hat trick in the men's visually impaired skate-ski sprint races. Led by his guide and childhood friend, Erik Carleton, the 10-time Paralympic medallist McKeever was solid to win his third-straight gold. Mark Arendz, of Springton, P.E.I., skied his way back onto the podium in the men's standing sprint race, winning the silver medal for the second time this week.
The Canadian Para-Nordic Ski Team is using the Wisconsin event to start qualifying athletes, in particular development athletes, for the 2014 Paralympics. Five of the eight development-level athletes to hit the start line on Sunday met the IPC Paralympic qualifying standard.
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 Cross Country Canada Survey for 2014-2018 Strategic Plan
As part of the creation of our 2014-2018 Strategic Plan, Cross Country Canada is currently undergoing a comprehensive and nationwide engagement process that involves our allies, partners, and stakeholders. By the end of this process, we want to identify the objectives we want to achieve by 2018 and renew our commitment to our organizational goals, mission, vision, and values.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment and interest in the development and success of cross country skiing in Canada.
Survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CCCEN
Deadline: January 25, 2013
Full article |
Introducing Cross Country Canada's Inside Track Rewards Program
For just $30, The Inside Track Rewards Program provides members with exclusive, year-round discounts on a variety of great products and services from Cross Country Canada partners.
This program is designed with the cross-country ski community in mind. With benefits ranging from discounts on sporting goods and apparel (including ski gear!), travel and emergency roadside assistance, the Inside Track card will help members save money while growing our sport and providing critical program funding at both the national and local levels.
For each card sold to a CCC member, $10 will be directed back to that member's ski club. The balance of program proceeds will go towards providing critical funding for CCC development programs such as Jackrabbits and Track Attack, as well as the National Ski Team.
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Canada's Under 23 and Junior World Championship Team Announced
Credit: Tom Holland
The following athletes are selected to the Junior and U23 World Championship Teams competing in Liberec, Czech Republic from January 20 - 27, 2013.
Event website: http://www.liberec2013.cz/en/
Best Wishes from the selection committee to all the athletes and staff for a successful Championship in Liberec! |
Interviews with Canadian World Junior Team Members
It's time to put faces to names! Check out these interviews of athletes who will be competing at the World Junior Championships in Liberec, CZE from Jan 20-27! Team leader Lisa Patterson and coach Godefroy Bilodeau got a chance to ask them a few questions.....
 | | Please click on image to watch this |
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CCC Fan Club Video Contest
This January, we want to know in a short video "WHY YOUR CLUB ROCKS!"
Your Club video should be min. 30 sec, max. 3 min. and can be in English or French or both!
You could win a Devon Kershaw OR Alex Harvey (your choice) SIGNED and FRAMED bib for your clubhouse!
The deadline to submit your video is February 5th, 2013! Good Luck!!
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2013-14 Jackrabbit Toque & Track Attack Buff Design Contests
We have a fantastic opportunity for you to help us design the 2014 Sochi Jackrabbit Toque & the 2014 Track Attack Buff!
The 'winning' designs will be worn by 10,000 Jackrabbit and 3000 Track Attack  boys and girls during the 2014 ski season!
Contests run from January 4th - March 1st 2013!
Get your ideas ready, good Luck and have fun!
2014 Jackrabbit Toque Colouring Contest
2014 Track Attack Buff Design Contest |
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 Para-Equipment Fund and Recruitment Programs Fund
The Para-Equipment Fund (PEF) is a grassroots initiative that aims to assist local and provincial organizations in delivering first contact programming. In order to facilitate increased participation of Canadians with a disability at the 'playground' level, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) will be continuing with the 'Recruitment Programs Fund'.
The next round of applications opens on January 15, 2013. Applications must be received no later than midnight (EST) on February 19th, 2013.
http://paralympic.ca/en/Sports/Para-Equipment-First-Contact-Funding.html
Full article |
Cross Country Canada launches "the Inside Edge" video series
We are excited to bring you the first episode of Cross Country Canada's "Inside Edge" video series. With action, interviews, strategy and much more, Inside Edge gives you unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to our National Ski Team as it takes on the world's best!
In this episode, the team previews the race course and talks strategy for the World Cup sprint events in downtown Quebec City.
 | | The Inside Edge Episode 1: Sprint Quebec Training Day |
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 On January 20th 2013, Celebrate World Snow Day by hosting a Racing Rocks! event
Have you thought about hosting a Racing Rocks! Event in your ski community on World Snow Day?
Let's promote a 'National-cross-country-ski-day' for all Skill Development Program participants!
Racing Rocks! is a Skill Development Program dedicated to introducing children to the fun aspects of competition.
A Ski Tournament, Team Sprint or Double cross event is a one day extravaganza of fun competition and special activities.
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Pavlosophy: How to deal with Failure- like a Winner! Credit: Pavlina Sudrich
The skiers I have the privilege of interacting with are in the business of Excellence. Athlete's who've made a full time commitment to skiing do so with the intent to pursue excellence to it's highest capacity. Everyday they seek it. Our sport demands it. No one out there wants to be an athlete, they want to be the best athlete. That's High Performance. So what happens when, for whatever reason you don't have a good enough day? You had one race, one weekend to prove yourself and you didn't. No podium. No World Cup start. No ticket to World Juniors.
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Beckie Scott and Ski Fit North on CBC's "Only in Canada"
As Peter Mansbridge said: "if you want to hear about a true athlete, stay tuned for Beckie".
A very inspiring woman combined with a great program = this story! And we must not forget about Andrew Urton, Ski Fit North Alberta Program Coordinator who is doing a fabulous job with the program.
 | | Please click on image to watch this |
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 Cross-country skiing in Nunavik
Credit: CBC News Twenty-year-old Camille P�pin and 18-year-old Fr�d�rique V�zina have been skiing for as long as they can remember. As competitive athletes, they hope one day to be Olympic cross-country skiers.
For a second year in a row, the two have spearheaded a special project called the Kujjuuaq Cross-Country Ski Club. Last year they raised $60 000 to pay for equipment, plane tickets and for a coach to live in Kuujjuaq from January to April. The goal is to show 15 girls and young women in the community how to wax their skis, groom trails and make it past the finish line.
You can follow their progress on their blogs, campepin.blogspot.ca and frederiquevezina.com or on twitter @frederiquevez.
Listen back to Susan's conversation with P�pin and V�zina, along with coach Catherine Dumont-Poirier and 12-year-old skier Qullik Tukkiapik in Kuujjuaq. Interview |
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The jaw-dropping benefits of cross-country skiing
Credit: Alex Hutchinson, Special to The Globe and Mail
The options for aerobic exercise during the Canadian winter can seem grim: slipping and sliding along icy streets, pedalling nowhere under the fluorescent lights of the gym, and so on. But there's a better option, one that, recent research suggests, actually offers unique advantages compared to the alternatives. When it snows, why not make for the cross-country ski trails?
Full article
 | | Photo: Alberta Parks |
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Junior Athlete Profile: Alexis Turgeon, Club de ski de fond Skinouk, CNEPH
- What is your New Year's Resolution?
Not get mad when my printer doesn't work. On a more serious note, catch up on my studies. - Why should people cross-country ski this year if they haven't tried it before?
Because it's a perfect way to get into shape, make the most of the snow, and because there's a chance that you'll meet us on the trails! - How did you get involved in cross-country skiing?
My parents were always active in cross-country skiing. When I was little I started with them towing me in a sled and when I was big enough I put on skis. - Who is your Olympic/Paralympic hero? Why? Let's say that my inspiration at the moment is Alex Harvey, because it's inspiring to train with him every day. Outside of skiing, Michael Phelps, because it's really incredible how someone can dominate a single sport like that.
- Favourite ski trails?
I really enjoy skiing in Gatineau Park for fun, but for racing I like the trails at Mount Orford.
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 | | Photo: Nordic Focus |
Quote of the Month
"I am just so happy right now to be a part of this Canadian team. I'm super pumped. Our team pushed me really hard this summer to be better, and it is paying off. I'm just so happy and proud right now."
...Ivan Babikov after finishing seventh overall at the Tour de Ski |
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Did You Know...
- Ivan Babikov finished second at the final stage of the Tour de Ski. Ivan won the final stage in 2009
- Daria Gaiazova won a silver and bronze medal at the OPA Continental Cup in Germany this month
- Canada had its most successful Tour de Ski's as a team with four podium finishes shared by three athletes
- Canada had three podium finishes at Val di Fiemme on the Tour de Ski - the same venue that will host the 2013 World Championships
 | | Cartoonist: Thomas Zipfel |
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Finding it hard to stay up to date with our latest news?
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