Last weekend under the green Olympic Rings at Whistler Park, a group of Strathcona Nordics racers put in a fine showing at the first race of this year’s season.
Sixteen racers, ranging in age from 8 to 58-years-old, attended the Coast Cup #1 competition.
The snow conditions were challenging and the course was demanding, but the team came through and brought home seven medals for the Vancouver Island cross-country ski club.
Eight-year-old Naomi Swift set a fast pace and captured the first medal of the season, a gold in the Pee Wee Girls division.
Avalon Wasteneys took a gold in Juvenile Girls 2, and Morgan Meckert a bronze in Juvenile Girls 1.
In the Junior Boys category, the team made a clean sweep with Jamie Wasteneys winning gold, Alec Stapff silver, and Alex Brown bronze.
Ariel Becherer took the silver in the Junior Girls 2.
Calder Guimond and Zander Swift put in a fine showing in the Bantam Boys category.
In Midget boys racing, Ross Lamon missed a bronze by a few seconds, and Max Brown also had a fine race.
Maya Swift and Madeline Guimond represented the team very well in Midget girls. Sally Brown raced with excellent form in Juvenile girls.
Alison Stocks raced well in the Masters category, and the coach was impressed with Andy Brown’s performance in the very competitive Open Men’s category.
“What a fantastic start to the year!” said Head Coach Dave Battison.
“We are really looking forward to next weekend’s big race, BC Cup #1/NorAm in Vernon, where there will be racers from the National and provincial teams.”
You can learn more about the Strathcona Nordics and register for winter programs on their website, www.StrathconaNordics.com