We beat the rain !
Monday's rain gave us quite the challenge in Ottawa, but volunteers at Nakkertok, our ski club came out in droves to shovel snow back on to the race trails. "It's like 15cms fell", described Dirk Van Wijk, chief of course at the 2010 Eastern Canadian Championships. " 15 cms of snow was shovelled on Saturday in anticipation of the rain. Then today, two crews of volunteers shovelled again: on to the areas that the rain took out, and stock piled two huge areas that I'll be able to distribute tomorrow into key areas with the Piston Bully". Rob Lafleur has also committed another PB 200 to make sure we're set for Friday's training day. 635 athletes from across the country have signed up on Zone 4 for the weekends races. Athletes representing Eastern Canada, travel the distance once a year for this "largest xc ski race in Canada". This year in addition to Eastern athletes, skiers from the Yukon, Alberta and BC will be travelling the distance to race in this Nor Am competition to collect valuable Cross Country Canada (CCC) ranking points.
Monday's rain gave us quite the challenge in Ottawa, but volunteers at Nakkertok, our ski club came out in droves to shovel snow back on to the race trails. "It's like 15cms fell", described Dirk Van Wijk, chief of course at the 2010 Eastern Canadian Championships. " 15 cms of snow was shovelled on Saturday in anticipation of the rain. Then today, two crews of volunteers shovelled again: on to the areas that the rain took out, and stock piled two huge areas that I'll be able to distribute tomorrow into key areas with the Piston Bully". Rob Lafleur has also committed another PB 200 to make sure we're set for Friday's training day. 635 athletes from across the country have signed up on Zone 4 for the weekends races. Athletes representing Eastern Canada, travel the distance once a year for this "largest xc ski race in Canada". This year in addition to Eastern athletes, skiers from the Yukon, Alberta and BC will be travelling the distance to race in this Nor Am competition to collect valuable Cross Country Canada (CCC) ranking points.
Spectating is free ! And a day ski pass at Nakkertok Nordic Centre is only $10. Nakkertok boasts excellent conditions despite the twist of weather that has hit the region. Marc Mineault, Nakkertok's chief groomer will be maintaining the 30kms of recreational trails all weekend long, while the competition focuses the big machines on maintaining the 7.5kms of Olympic calibre race trails that criss-cross 5 times through the stadium for maximum spectator viewing per lap. A spectacular snow shoe trail system has been added to Nakkertok this season that starts in the Stadium and heads north up the ridge and over a pristine wilderness that is waiting to be discovered.
Races start with Saturday's Individual Start Skate Competition at 9am. Sunday will host the Classic Mass Start Races, again at 9am.
Come out to cheer on your local favourites, your neighbour's kids or your home province !
Come out to cheer on your local favourites, your neighbour's kids or your home province !
We're looking forward to an exciting weekend !
Claudia and Dirk Van Wijk
proud owners of Nakkertok and active volunteers
