2014 End of Season      Follow us on TwitterLike us on Facebook
Co-editors: Martine Zilligen, Cathy Sturgeon & Chris Dornan
IN THIS ISSUE
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Funding Partners:
  • Sport Canada
  • Own the Podium
  • Jemini Foundation
  • National Winter Sport Association
Major Partners:
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Podium Partners:
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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. 

 

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THE INSIDE TRACK PROGRAM

For ONLY $20.14, you can support Canada's cross country skiers on the road to the 2014 Olympics in Sochi and beyond!

 

Donors will receive an exclusive "Inside Track" welcome package, as well as access to some great discounts on products & services from CCC's Inside Track program partners - Delta Hotels, Budget Car Rental, SkiTrax Magazine and CCC Store.

 

Support your athletes & your club, and start saving today! 

PROJECT PODIUM

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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.
CCC STORE

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The Dale of Norway Men's & Women's Calgary Sweater combines the traditional elegance of classic Scandinavian style with one of nature's softest knit fabrics, merino wool. This refined sweater will keep you cozy and looking great whether you are dodging paparazzi at a Park City film festival or sipping mulled wine in the Alps. 

Get yours today at CCC's Store

 

*NEW* Receive FREE Shipping on all orders over $75!

  

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
Jobs 2

 

 

 

 

Nakkertok Nordic Ski Club - Part-time Assistant Coach

 

Cross Country Canada - Coaching Development Coordinator

 

Please visit the Jobs section on our website for more information.

Cross Connections

 

Dear Cross Connections subscriber,

 

What an amazing year & exceptionnal olympic/paralympic cycle it has been! Congratulations & Thank you for the support and dedication to our sport! A series of historic performances over the last quadrennial promise a very bright future!

 

Thank you to our supporters, corporate partners, official suppliers, thousands of volunteers & events organizers who make it possible for Canadians to enjoy cross-country skiing at home and on the world stage.

 

We wish you a wonderful spring on skis and some well-deserved rest!

 

Please send us your feedback as we greatly appreciate it and helps us improve.

 

Martine Zilligen

Marketing Coordinator

Harvey Caps Off the Best Season of his Career with a Silver medal at World Cup Finals & a Third Place in the Overall World Cup Standings  

Photo: Nordic Focus

 

Alex Harvey put a silver lining around the best season of his career with a second-place finish in the 15-kilometre skate-ski pursuit race on Sunday at the World Cup Finals in Falun, Sweden.

Harvey racked up six medals including three gold, two silver and one bronze, en route to finishing third in the Overall World Cup medal count. Harvey's previous best in the overall was sixth in 2012 - the same year Devon Kershaw had the best overall finish ever by a Canadian male in second place.

"When I grew up it was never something I thought about. My dad (Pierre) was never better than eighth in the overall. Just being on the World Cup podium was something we all dreamt of in Canada. We have come a long way. We know we can be fighting for the top every weekend. Devon (Kershaw) was second a couple of years ago, and now I'm third. We take a lot of satisfaction showing that we can be consistent."

Full article

Nationals 2014 logoNakkertok & Quebec are 2014 Haywood Ski Nationals Champions
 
The 87th edition of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Championships closed with a banquet in Corner Brook Saturday amid very positive feedback from coaches and athletes alike. The friendly atmosphere, "varied" weather conditions and an efficient organization, were much appreciated by all. Sincere thank you to Blow Me Down Ski Trails for a fantastic event!

By capturing the overall and junior 2014 title, Nakkertok now claims their 5th straight victory as Club Champion.  
Quebec is once again was Division Champion, winning in both the overall and junior rankings, a placing they have held onto since the 2011 championships.
 
Relive the fabulous competition week with Dawn Leja's Haywood Ski Nationals 2014 photo albums!
 
It is now time to turn the focus to the 2015 Haywood Ski Nationals, which will be held next March at Lappe Nordic (Thunder Bay) Ontario.
 
Have a great end of ski season!
Photo: Dawn Leja www.dlejadesigns.ca

Brian McKeever shortlisted for Best Male Athlete from Sochi 2014

 

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has revealed the shortlist for the Best Male Athlete of March based on performances at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, and the public can now vote for the winner on www.Paralympic.org. 

 

Join us in congratulating Brian & the entire Canadian Paralympic Cross-Country Ski Team for a historically successful 2014 Sochi Winter Games!

 

Brian McKeever (Canada, cross-country skiing): McKeever made history in Sochi, becoming the first Canadian Winter Paralympian to win 10 gold medals in a career. The visually impaired skier won all three of his individual events in Sochi, including the men's 1km sprint, 10km and 20km distances. In the 1km sprint, he overcame a fall at the start of race to dramatically come back and win gold.


You have until 12:00 (CEST) on 9 April to 
Vote for Brian to win this well-deserved honor!

Brian McKeever and his guide Graham Nishikawa win the gold medal in the Men's 1km Sprint Visually Impaired Final. 

(Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee)

Olympic Champ Chandra Crawford to Focus New Career on Empowerment Through Sport for Young Women
Photo: Justin Parsons/Crag&Canyon
 
Chandra Crawford will transition from focusing on her own sport abilities to inspiring thousands of Canadian girls to get hooked on a healthy, active lifestyle.

After racing the top athletes on the planet on the World Cup circuit for more than one decade, which included appearances at three junior and four senior World Championships, the three-time Olympian has decided to retire.

Crawford will now switch her career focus to completing a business and leadership education to provide her with the skill set required to successfully run the national Fast and Female program she spearheaded in advance of shocking the world with her Olympic victory in 2006.

"Since graduating from high school in 2000, I have completely dedicated my life to achieving excellence in cross-country skiing," said Crawford. "Today marks the end of an incredible chapter in my life, but also opens the door for me to focus the next stage of my career on running Fast and Female and encouraging the positive culture around girls and sport. We can all work together to move females social values from a narrow view of approved physical appearance to a meaningful view as creative contributors to the world." 
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2015 Jackrabbit Toque Design Contest Finalists - Time to Vote!

Congratulations to the 2015 Jackrabbit Sauce Headwear Toque Design Contest Finalists! 

It is now time to VOTE for your favorite design that will be worn by 11,000 Jackrabbit boys & girls next season!

You have until April 15th, 2014 to 'LIKE' your favorite drawing on CCC's Facebook Page!

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the contest & to Sauce Headwear for making this project come to life for a 3rd year! 

 

Good Luck!

2013 JR ToqueJR Toque 2014 Final

2013 & 2014 Jackrabbit Toques

CCC Primary Logo Request for Proposals: National Member Registration System 
 
Cross Country Canada seeks to establish a national member registration system that will act as a standardized and centralized means for the organization's 300+ affiliated clubs to register members, while meeting the reporting, payment and marketing requirements of the provincial bodies (Divisions) and CCC. 

At a high level, the national registration system will be one centralized platform under the control of CCC that will allow members to register with clubs, and clubs to register with divisions, with appropriate data and information made available to members, clubs, divisions and CCC. 
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2014-15 National Talent Squad Program Selection criteria

The National Talent Squad program identifies approximately 20 young athletes both male and female between the age of 15 and 18 as future Training Centre athletes. The program is coordinated by CCC but delivered by the four National Development Centres (NDC's) across Canada.  The goal of the National Talent Squad (NTS) program is to help prepare athletes for a training centre in the future.  By working with the NDC's, they will gain the skills and knowledge required for a more seamless transition into a training centre within the coming years.
 
Banff's Phil Widmer retires from cross-country
Source: Justin Brisbane/Rocky Mountain Outlook

After 12 years as one of the most respected and admired athletes in the Bow Valley, Olympian Phil Widmer has announced his retirement from cross-country skiing.

"I feel I've seen it through. I've pursued the opportunities I've been given and have to be happy with the way it's been," Widmer said.

 

A member of Canada's 2006 Winter Olympic team and owner of six Canadian national medals, the 30-year old Widmer's top world cup result was a 12th-place finish, although his approach to the sport and kindness made him a team favourite amongst his peers.

 

"In my career, I probably won less than 20 races. That's not many factored over a career of 12 years, so I lost more than I won, but I had my share of success along the way," Widmer said. "I'm a resilient individual. The approach is always the same. It's the ability to cope with the potential if it doesn't work out."

Full article 

Wms Committee logo 2
Inspiring change and advocating gender equality through sport
Source: Women and Sport/Olympic.org

After celebrating inspirational role models on International Women's Day on 8 March, Angela Ruggiero, Olympian, IOC member and Vice Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, spoke at the United Nations 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women to emphasise the power of sport in defying gender stereotypes, promoting equal opportunities and empowering girls and women across the world.

 

The power of sport to empower women

"Sport breaks down barriers and challenges gender norms," said Ruggiero. "Sport develops skills in management, negotiation and decision-making that empower women and girls to become leaders in the workplace, in the home and in all areas of community life. A survey of executive women found that 80 per cent played sports in their youth; 69 per cent said sport contributed to their professional success."

She added: "The leadership talent of retired elite women athletes, with their inherent confidence, high standards, self-discipline and ability to overcome obstacles, has tremendous value for businesses, governments and non-governmental organisations." Ruggiero also underlined the qualities of sport in building confidence, stating: "Sport builds self-esteem and helps women take control over their lives. It gives adolescent girls a sense of ownership and respect for their bodies."

 

CCC Primary Logo Request for Proposals: National Winter Sports Association 
 
The "National Winter Sports Association" (NWSA) was established through the foresight and donation of the Disbrow family to assist cross-country ski clubs with proven ability to develop competitive skiers and coaches based on long-term development planning. The NWSA has a Board of Directors which decides on the direction and allocation of the NWSA grants. Cross Country Canada manages and administrates the annual funding allocations of the NWSA Board.

 

View the NWSA Proposal Submission details. 

 

The closing date is April 25th, 2014.

Did You Know...
  • Brian McKeever became the first Winter Paralympian to reach double digits in gold medals. His three Paralympic victories in Sochi brought his career golds total to 10. He has a total of 13 medals.
  • Mark Arendz became the only Canadian Paralympian to win two medals, including a silver, at the Paralympic Winter Games
  • Alex Harvey's third-place finish overall on the World Cup is the second best ever by a Canadian. Beckie Scott finished second overall in 2006, while Devon Kershaw also finished second overall in 2012.
Photo: Getty Images
Quote of the Month

 

"It means a tonne to me to contribute to Canada's medal count. Four years ago I made a major decision to move to Canada, and Cross Country Canada and the Own the Podium program have backed me since. I just wanted to pay them back."

                                       ...Chris Klebl
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/
Canadian Paralympic Committee

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