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February 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...
AWCA Senior Coach
AWCA Apprentice Coach
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
info@cccski.com |
Canada's "Alex the Great" Wins Historic Bronze Medal at Nordic World Ski Championships
Alex Harvey scripted another chapter for the history books when he became the first Canadian male to win an individual medal at the Nordic World Ski Championships. The 24-year-old Harvey took on the biggest names in the sport to win the bronze medal in the classic-ski sprint race at the opening day of the premiere event on the international cross-country ski calendar.
"This is absolutely huge. I am so thrilled," beamed the 24-year-old Nordic phenom. "The day started a little tricky with me qualifying 26th, but the skis sped up as the day went along, and I felt absolutely great in the final. This is huge for our program, and I hope the team can build a lot of confidence from this for the rest of the Championships."
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Devon Kershaw and Alex Harvey a Booth Length Short of Podium in Team Sprint
The Canadian duo, who took the start line as the reigning World Champions in the race discipline, advanced to the finals with the 10 best Nordic teams in the world after winning their semifinal heat. They were well positioned at the front of the pack until the mid-way point of the race when Kershaw broke a pole in the transition area before while heading out on his second loop. The setback dropped the Canucks into ninth place.
The two-time Olympian, Kershaw, positioned the Canadians into fifth spot in this final lap, setting Harvey up for a shot at the podium. Hanging behind the leaders, Harvey made his move up the final punishing climb where he pushed the pace on the Val di Fiemme course, which was blanketed with more than 30 centimetres of snow overnight. Flying into the stadium, Harvey powered his way down the finishing stretch where he narrowly missed the podium in a photo finish with the Kazakhstan team.
Full article |
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Brian McKeever and Erik Carleton Crowned Sprint World Champions at IPC World Championships in Sweden
Brian Mckeever and Erik Carleton got the 2013 IPC World Championships off to a perfect start, winning the men's visually impaired classic sprint race on Monday in Solleftea, Sweden.
The 33-year-old McKeever and his guide Erik Carleton, both of Canmore, Alta., battled through difficult conditions, while taking advantage of some luck, to lock up the first World Championship title for the Canucks this year.
"It was a good ski today by Brian and we capitalized on a fall from the Swedish athlete in the final to grab the victory," said Robin McKeever, head coach, Canadian Para-Nordic Ski Team. "Today was all about waxing, and our techs were amazing as the conditions changed rapidly."
Full article |
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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2013 Haywood Ski Nationals / 2014 Haywood NorAm Westerns /
2015 Haywood Ski Nationals
The 2013 Haywood Ski Nationals registration is now open online at www.zone4.ca
The early registration deadline is midnight, March 10 so don't get caught paying late fees. Information & schedules are online at http://skinationals.com/2013.
In conjunction with the Ski Nationals, all CCUNC skiers must have the Confirmation of Eligibility Form located in the Ski Nationals Race Notice completed by their school registrar.
The 2014 Haywood NorAm Western Canadians bids are also accepted by CCC. Please note that the deadline has been extended. Letters of interest should be sent to the Events Committee, c/o ddyer@cccski.com. by March 1, 2013.
Finally, the 2015 Haywood Ski Nationals Bid Document has been released by CCC. Final submissions should be made by April 15, 2013 to the Events Committee, c/o ddyer@cccski.com. |
Chandra Crawford Calls End to Competitive Cross-Country Ski Season
 Photo: Todd Korol/Reuters
The leader of the Canadian women's cross-country ski squad, Chandra Crawford, has decided to take a break from competitive high-performance skiing to recharge her batteries for the final charge to the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi 2014.
Physically and mentally exhausted from pushing herself hard in training and life, the 29 year old will take the remainder of the season off to give her body the rest it requires.
"My motivation and love of competing at the highest level in cross-country skiing has made so many dreams come true for me, but it can also cause me to go overboard," said Crawford. "As Kenny Rogers said 'You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away, know when to run.
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CCC's Fan Club Video Contest Winners!
Thank you to everyone who participated and voted in our "CCC Fan Club Video Contest: Tell us why your club rocks!"
After compiling the hundreds of votes, we have decided to award a prize to the club with the highest votes for an English video and to the club with the highest votes for a French video...
CONGRATULATIONS to Caledonia Nordic Ski Club & Club Hus-Ski!!!
You each win a Devon Kershaw OR Alex Harvey (your choice) SIGNED and FRAMED bib for your clubhouse! Your video will also appear as a feature displayed on the CCC Website homepage so everyone will know how "cool" your club is!
Given the high quality and the efforts that went in the creation of the other two videos, we have decided to give them each a consolation prize.
Please contact us at info@cccski.com!!
 | | Otway Ski Centre, Caledonia Nordic Ski Club |
 | | Club Hus-Ski |
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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-Nordic National Ski Team schedule
- IPC World Championships Solleftea, SWE Feb 21-March 4th
- Training Camp Val Di Fiemme, ITA March 5-11th
- IPC World Cup - Paralympic test event Sochi, RUS March 12-21th
- Canadian Championships Whistler, BC March 23-31th
IPC calendar & results: http://www.paralympic.org/NordicSkiing/Calendar
Don`t forget to ''Like'' the Canadian Para-Nordic Skiing/Le ski paranordique canadien Facebook page to stay up to date with all the latest news and see some great photos and videos! |
 Red Cross Hotline
As Cross Country Canada continues to strive towards its vision for a respectful, positive and healthy athlete development environment, we would like to make you aware that ALL Cross Country Canada club members have access to a toll free Red Cross hotline.
In addition to fulfill our need to serve our sport community in regards to our obligations that are outlined in our CCC Harassment Policy 1.8, Cross Country Canada also has an agreement with the Red Cross to provide a support line that provides advice, guidance and assistance with possible complaints of abuse, harassment, bullying and hazing within sport and is available 365 days a year.
Please call 1-866-773-5777 and a trained Red Cross staff person will be available to assist with questions or concerns you may have. For more information about the Red Cross support line, please refer to their website www.redcross.ca/supportline. |
 Fun times with Klister in February!
What a fantastic month of February it was for CCC`s mascot Klister! Many new friends were made in three different provinces!
The journey started in Saskatoon, SK where Klister took part in the Saskatoon Loppet as well as a Jackarabbit session! This was a very special visit for Klister as our mascot finally met ''his namer'' Jan Sedgewick! Thank you Jan!
Klister then travelled to Edmonton for the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival! Great cheering and fun for our furry friend during the races!
Finally, Klister made it all the way back from Edmonton to Golden, BC for the Huckleberry Loppet for some more racing, smiles and high fives!
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Video: Pushing Forward! The Life of a cross country ski racer
Check out this video entitled "Pushing Forward"! Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club race team member Liam Ortiz and classmate Adam Gualtieri have created a documentary exploring the life of a cross country ski racer. The video was created for a communications technology course at Superior Heights High School.
 | | Click on image to watch video |
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A coach's experience....Lisa Patterson on her role leading the 2013 WJ and U23 Champs Teams in Liberec, CZE
Credit: Diana Deakin-Thomas, CCC Women's Committee
I caught up with Lisa during the Eastern Championships at Nakkertok in early February. Back from Europe just 2 days from leading the World Junior and U23 Championship teams in Liberec, CZE, Lisa was (although a tad tired) pumped about the experience.
As the first woman in this role, Lisa was honoured to have been appointed as the leader of our Canadian 2013 teams.
She felt fortunate to have such a great group of athletes, many of whom were new to international travel and racing at this level. The team dynamics were unparalleled.
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2012 Ski to School Scholarship Recipient: Alannah MacLean
Congratulations to Alannah MacLean, the winner of the 2012 Ski to School Scholarship. Alannah is a member of the Walden Cross Country Fitness Club. In 2011, Alannah made the decision to attend the National Development Centre in Thunder Bay, ON with the sole condition of being able to attend Lakehead University as a full-time student. She is truly an ambassador for student-athletes across Canada that wish to pursue the duality of skiing at a high level and earning a degree in the process.
Alannah has been a cross-country skier for the past 18 years of her life, a racer for 7 years and a competitive ski racer for 4 years. She places a great amount of importance on being balanced in both school and skiing as she pursues excellence in both. Congratulations Alannah and good luck with your 2012/2013 ski season and academic year!
Full article |
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Soldier On Program at Highlands Nordic in Duntroon, Ontario
Members of the Soldier On program attended a two day training camp in Duntroon, Ontario to try cross-country skiing and biathlon on February 13th and 14th. The Soldier On program, and the complimentary Soldier On Fund, provides resources and opportunities for ill and injured Canadian Forces personnel and former personnel to attain and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle through physical fitness, recreation and sport.
The camp was made possible with support from Cross Country Ontario and Cross Country Canada. A big thank you to the enthusiastic staff at Highlands Nordic!
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Quote of the Month
"There was a lot of action in the wax room and communication on the course today for sure...These guys we have are the best in the business and should take a lot of pride in that medal today. It was a great team effort, and Alex showed all you need is one in the heats and anything can happen."
...Justin Wadsworth, head coach of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team, on the team effort after Alex Harvey's historic bronze medal in the classic sprint event at World Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy
 | | Photo: Glen Crawford |
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Did You Know...
...That the entire Canadian World Cup Team have made it into the FIS Red Group for World Cup period 3? The Red Group consists of the 30 best men and the 30 best women in the current Distance and Sprint World Cup Rankings Lists. This is a historic achievement in that no previous Canadian team has had this many athletes in the Red Group before. This has been a goal for the World Cup Team for the last couple of years.
 | | Photo: Nordic Focus |
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Finding it hard to stay up to date with our latest news?
If you have not had a chance to keep up then we hope that this will help.
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