Note that some of the links on this page may no longer work.

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Chris McCubbins has passed away (updated with obituary and donations on Aug 25th, originally posted on Aug 21, 2009)

The staff and Board of Directors of CCSAM, along with the CCSAM community of cross country skiers, is saddened to learn that Chris McCubbins passed away today after a six month battle with leukemia. Our condolences go out to his wife Susan Jacobsen, his family, and his many very close friends.

• Obituary (Winnipeg Free Press)
• Chris' athletic achievements and his contributions to CCSAM and Inner City kids

On August 18, 2009, CCSAM's Inner City Kids' Ski Program was renamed the Chris McCubbins Inner City Schools Ski Program, and our Great Get Off Your Butt and Ski event was renamed the Great Get Off Your Butt and Ski in honour of Chris McCubbins.

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Leah Kirchmann wins gold at the Canada Summer Games by Rob Kirchmann (posted on Aug 22, 2009)

Leah Kirchmann won Gold in the cycling criterium race yesterday at the Canada Summer Games in downtown Summerside PEI. Her teammate Karlee Gendron won Silver. A big crowd was on hand to watch the event, and there was lots of cheering for the Manitoba girls. No one wanted the Quebec riders to win; sorry Quebec, but you have enough medals at these games already. The entire Manitoba team worked together to get Leah and Karlee in the best positions to go for the sprints when they had to. The event was a points race where the competitors had to sprint for a 1 to 4 position to get points every five laps. They did a 30km race, and the loops were ~1km in length. Leah and Karlee also managed to have excellent finishes, which added to their overall points, to win the race. Leah finished the race first across the line, just ahead of the other competitors. On Thursday in the road race, Leah came in fourth and just lost by inches. The Gold in the criterium race was a nice way for Leah to finish off her Canada Games experience.

• Blandford, Kirchmann go golden at Canada Games -- Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday August 22nd

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Racing Rocks!: "All Aboard the Medal Express!!!"(posted on Aug 21, 2009)

Racing Rocks! is a program of Cross Country Canada.

"All Aboard the Medal Express!!!" is a special promotional initiative for clubs. All the info is at http://cccski.com/main.asp?cmd=doc&ID=4580&lan=0.

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Hans Eysel is moving back to Germany (posted on Aug 6, 2009)

19 years after arriving in Canada from Heidelberg, Hans Eysel and his wife Sigrun are moving back to Germany on August 8th. Hans spent his first couple of years in Canada at the National Research Council in Ottawa and University of Alberta in Edmonton before making Winnipeg his home and becoming a part of the CCSAM community.

Hans skied (and ran marathons) at a very high level in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s. As a Masters 7 and Masters 8 racer in the 1990s in Manitoba, he also enjoyed significant success, including medaling at both the Worlds Masters Championships at Thunder Bay in 1996 and at Lake Placid in 1998. Many CCSAM Masters fondly remember skiing with him and competing against him.

For the past few years, Hans & Sigrun have split their time between their property just south of Birds Hill Park and their condo in the southwestern German city of Freiburg im Breisgau (on the edge of the Black Forest, only 30K from Feldberg Mountain at 1493 metres).

The Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba and all Hans' friends in the cross country skiing community wish him many years of good health and active living in Germany.

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Brad Loewen has been selected to Team Vancouver 2010 (posted on June 22 , 2009)

Brad Loewen, Red River Ski Patrol member (and former Ski Patrol rep on the CCSAM Board of Directors), has been selected as a volunteer at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver/Whistler.

Brad is a professional engineer who has extensive professional and volunteer experience as a First Responder, and also as a fire protection and injury prevention officer. He will be working at the Whistler and Callaghan Valley skiing venues.

Congratulations Brad, and best wishes for an enjoyable experience!

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Fast and Female Seeks Partner Clubs to Expand Programming (posted on July 13, 2009)

Fast and Female, (presented by Best Buy) -- a highly dynamic not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering female youth through sports, is seeking to partner with local cross country ski clubs interested in hosting new regional programming for the remainder of 2009 and 2010. The deadline for application is August 15, 2009.

Media Release (PDF).

Event Application form (PDF).

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Nicole Dubois receives a Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarship (posted on July 5, 2009)

She was one of 19 student athletes to receive one. Congratulations Nicole!

Sport Manitoba's news story

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2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games -- forerunner selection by Lisa Patterson, CCC (posted on July 5, 2009)

We have finalized and posted the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games forerunners selection information to the CCC website:

• Olympics
• Paralympics

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Sport Manitoba's Sport For Life Centre (posted on July 5, 2009)

Sport Manitoba on the move (January 2009 media release)

Sport Manitoba's website info

Media stories

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GD6 Leukemia Ward 5K Run (or walk) for Chris McCubbins (updated on June 5th, posted on May 7, 2009)

From Chris McCubbins
Date: Wednesday June 3rd, 09:11 PM

This evening we went to Assiniboine Park to watch the Run/Walk for GD6. We would like to thank all the people who participated in it. I would especially like to thank Karl Sproll and Sheldon Reynolds who got the ball rolling, and all those who supported their efforts and were out there volunteering. It was a beautiful evening and a great turn out. (Note: ~400 people)

---------------------------------------------------------------

As you may know, Chris McCubbins has been battling leukemia for the past few months. He was in remission, but it has returned. He was admitted to the HSC GD6 Leukemia Ward this morning. He'll be there for the remainder of his treatment, which may include a bone marrow transplant, and it could be a while.

Some of Chris' good friends have organized a fundraising run to support an upgrade to the Acute Leukemia Blood Marrow Transplant Oncology Unit at the HSC GD6 Leukemia Ward.

The event is planned for June 3 at Assiniboine Park: www.athleticsmanitoba.com/hsc-foundation-gd6-leukemia-ward-5km-race-walk-for-chis-mccubbins
Online registration: www.eventsonline.ca/events/gd6_funrun

Hopefully you can support this event by doing any or all of the following:
- Take part in the event.
- Make a donation (charitable receipts issued by HSC Foundation).
- Contribute or find items for the silent auction.
- Spread the word to others about this event.

Chris has always been an inspiration to those around him in all his endeavours. This latest path on his journey is no different.

Chris McCubbins' bio

If you have items for the silent auction, or if you have other questions about the event, please contact Karl Sproll at 488-7917 or karl.sproll@alitra.com.

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Friends of Birds Hill Park newsletter (posted on May 8, 2009)

Their website (click on News in the left-side menu)

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Amie Mathews receives a Women to Watch grant (posted on April 1, 2009)

Amie Mathews recently received a Women to Watch grant from Sport Manitoba grant from Sport Manitoba.

Women to Watch is a monthly grant program designed to assist young girls and women to further their involvement in sport. Each month a $500 sport grant is awarded to a female athlete, female team, female official, female volunteer, or female coach who meets the criteria. The funds for this grant are split equally between the Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) and Sport Manitoba / Coaching Manitoba. Therefore each applicant must get an endorsement from their PSO (CCSAM).

Applications can be obtained from the downloads section of the Sport Manitoba website at www.sportmanitoba.ca.

Please also see Sport Manitoba's Women In Sport page page page.

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Wildwood Ski Trails: A banner year for skiing and donations by Harvey Peltz (posted on March 31, 2009)

A big thanks to all skiers and walkers who enjoyed our trails and contributed to personal fitness and the trail grooming. While many local skiers in the Wildwood Community Centre's catchment area contribute through the annual fall canvass, we are heartened to see the tremendous response from those outside of that area. Twenty six donours from beyond Wildwood and nine from within made tax deductible donations as of the end of March. To date, $1410 has been raised to help offset the cost of grooming. For those who picked up an information envelope, we are still accepting all donations, and your tax receipts will be sent in early 2010.

Thanks, also, to Bob Stewart and Barrie Webster for handling signage.

See you on the trails, next year.

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Boundary Trails Nordic Club Distance Challenge by Phil Froese (posted on March 10, 2009)

Results by name (PDF)

Results by age (PDF)

Photos

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Ski Day at Shannondale raises over $1000 by David Lumgair (posted on February 23, 2009)

We are truly pleased that more than 70 skiers registered and enjoyed our ski trails.

Donna and I could not do this event without many volunteers helping us, that is for sure. Volunteers helped cut wood, groom trails, cook, serve food, write receipts, and register skiers. And Mother Nature provided the terrain and the snow.

We enjoyed eating home made lunch: bread, chili, soup, and carrot cake, with coffee most of the afternoon.

Dennis Wood, friend and neighbour, made music and sang songs most of the afternoon.

This event raised over $1,000 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba! "Healthy Hearts Helping" seems to be an adequate description of the fundraising part of the event.

Encouraging others to do skiing or any other physical outdoor sports to extend your "Best Before Date" catches people's sense of humour, and speaks an
affirmative thought about being fit and healthy.

Thanks to everyone who came to ski. We hope you enjoyed your day.

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CBC-TV Living Winnipeg at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre (posted on February 20, 2009)

CCSAM Executive Director Karin McSherry teaches Living Winnipeg host Mary McCown how to cross country ski at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre.

• Living Winnipeg, Monday February 16th (Episode 101)
  The cross country skiing segment runs throughout the show in five pieces from times:
  • 00:00 to 02:20
  • 06:16 to 07:41
  • 08:03 to 08:27
  • 11:47 to 15:40
  • 18:40 to 21:16

  Karin's performance is excellent, and the segment comes across very well.

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Club Volunteers of the Month: Paul Chambers & Sue Appleyard of Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club, Pinawa Manitoba  (posted on February 19, 2009)

Cross Country Connections, February 2009 (PDF -- 1MB)

• The Club Volunteers of the Month story is on page 4.

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2009 Nordic World Cups at Vancouver-Whistler Olympic Park (Callaghan Valley) (posted on January 15, 2009)

The FIS Nordic World Cup circuit returns to Canada from January 16th to 18th.

• Vancouver's Nordic World Cup website
• Cross Country Canada's info (including the TV and internet broadcast schedules)
  • CBCsports.ca live video
• FIS' Vancouver Nordic World Cups page

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Ski club seeks to save Sandilands --Winnipeg Free Press story (posted on January 15, 2009)

Click here (PDF).

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Whiteshell CC Ski Club -- Racers & Pacers on Thursday evenings by Carol Randall, WCCSC (posted on January 7, 2009)

We are running our time trials from the Pinawa Club (the same location as the Manitoba Loppet) with an interval start. The race starts and ends at the club house with two laps of a very fast 1.2K course. All CCSAM skiers are more than welcome to race and/or ski with us.

Racers & Pacers details details (PDF)
Racers & Pacers news news (PDF)

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Carter skis to first in sprints (posted on December 15, 2008)

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/amateur/carter_skis_to_first_in_sprints.html

Murray Carter and his wife Catherine were supposed to be in Tasmania basking in 30-degree temperatures Saturday. Instead, they opted for minus-19, as Carter skied to first place ahead of Joel Peltz and Mackenzie Cook in the men's open category at the Manitoba Cross Country Ski Association Provincial Sprint Championships at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre. Carter also won the senior men's division in front of William Bell.

Marlene Boersch finished ahead of Nicole Dubois and Danielle Papin in the open women's category. Boersch also won the masters 1 event ahead of Papin and Sandra Kirby.

Carter and Catherine are both Winnipeggers, but living in Sydney, Australia, while she studies to be a chiropractor, and he a teacher. Catherine has dual citizenship status as her mother is Australian. For the both of them, the Windsor Park Nordic Centre has sentimental and romantic memories.

"We got married here last Jan. 26," said Carter, 26, who skied Saturday under the Prairie Star Club banner. "One of the reasons we wanted to get married here was that the first time I ever talked with Catherine (née Page), she was studying by the window on a clear day. The first time we were together was in here. So, we decided to get married here."

With the exception of his father, their arrival here was a total surprise. "We were supposed to be in Tasmania," chuckled Carter. "We had all intentions of going there. She had just finished exams, and we were just sitting at home, so I called my dad and asked, is it crazy for us to go home?, and he said, 'no, come home.' "

allan.besson@freepress.mb.ca

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Another Sandilands update (updated on November 28, 2008)

Click here to go to the Sandilands Ski Club website.
On the menu on the left side, click Save The Forest  to learn how you can help to ensure the long-term sustainability of cross country skiing in the Sandilands Provincial Forest.

Also see "Sandilands update" dated October 25th, below.

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Cross Country Canada's Sea to Sea to Sea program by Andrea Dupont, CCC (posted on November 27, 2008)

Cross Country Canada is launching Year 2 of its Sea to Sea to Sea program. This program is designed to bring the Olympic spirit to clubs across our country leading up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Participants make teams within their clubs and earn prizes for kilometers they ski during the ski season. They also have a chance to win a trip to the Vancouver Olympics to watch five of the cross country events.

Complete information (PDF)

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Club Development Grant recipients and Club Coach Grant recipients (posted on November 4, 2008)

Congratulations to the following clubs that have been chosen by the CCSAM Board of Directors to receive Club Coach & Club Development grants for the
2008-2009 season:

Club Development Grant recipients
Birch Mountain Sports: $500 - towards the purchase of a quad for ongoing trail maintenance.
Bittersweet Ski Club: $500 - towards the purchase of materials to construct a new bridge necessary to their trail system.
Boundary Trails Nordic Club: $500 - towards a brush mower for trail maintenance and wax supplies for their junior skiers
Charleswood Ski Club: $500 - to offset the expense of their annual "Get Ready to Ski" & "Hill & Skill" days.
Kenora Nordic Trails Association: $500 - towards the purchase of dryland training equipment for their racing members (Juniors to Masters)
Red River Nordic Ski Club: $500 - to offset the expense of their team's Lappe Invitational race trip.
Sandilands Ski Club: $500 - to offset the cost of major trail renovations after last summer's devastating forest fire.

Club Coach Grant recipients
Boundary Trails Nordic Club: $500
Kenora Nordic Trails Association: $2000
Red River Nordic Ski Club: $2000

The 1st 75% of the Club Coach grants will be remitted immediately. The remaining 25% will be remitted only after the submission of a post event report
(see page 8 in the Club Funding Programs booklet).

The deadline for grant applications is September 15th annually. Please consider preparing your 2009 applications over this winter so you don't miss the
deadline.

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Cross Country Canada's High Performance Coordinator visits Red River Nordic (posted on November 4, 2008)

Click here.

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Sandilands update by Kevin Miller (updated on October 25, 2008)

Please see the Sandilands forest fire item from this past May.

The Sandilands Ski Club met with Manitoba Conservation on Friday October 24th to discuss the current status of the forest in the area of the ski trails, and what is needed to make the upcoming skiing season as good as possible.

Manitoba Conservation says:

• They have already clearcut and reseeded a few of the worst burned areas.
• Any burned trees and branches that were in danger of falling have already fallen. In a few years time, as the dead trees decay and weaken, more tree falling will occur unless the trees are clearcut.
• They will clearcut as much as possible of the burn (all of it has been allocated).
• They will allow the Sandilands Ski Club to make new trails, and they will help them with locating, mapping, and cutting of new trails.
• The provincial government is working on legislation to restrict the use of ATVs in provincial forests (including Sandilands), and they may even consider a complete ban in some areas. Sandilands Ski Club members, CCSAM, and all skiers are encouraged to write letters and e-mail their MLAs to urge 
  them to support and pass this legislation.
• They encouraged the Sandilands Ski Club to apply for grants and other available monies from government, etc.

The Sandilands Ski Club plans to refurbish the existing trails as much as possible for use this winter.

• The Green trail is pretty much intact.
• The Red trail is all intact.
• The Purple trail is intact.
• The Black trail is all burned, but will likely be used.
• The Yellow trail is clearcut to a large degree. Part of it is still intact.
• The Blue trail is clearcut partially, but the lower section is still intact.

The club plans to scout new trail options (possibly on Saturday November 1st).

The warm-up hut (with stove) and outhouse at the junction of the Green/Black/Yellow trails was destroyed in the fire. A new warm-up shack with a stove will likely be built. The stove will need to be purchased. There are also trail signs that should be replaced. Hunting season starts on November 11th. 

CCSAM has awarded the Sandilands Ski Club a Club Development Grant. If the club needs volunteer labour to help construct the structures, CCSAM will solicit help via an E-mail Contact List message. Another way that skiers can help is by becoming a Sandilands Ski Club member in 2008-2009.

The Charleswood Ski Club has also indicated that they'd like to help the Sandilands Ski Club with fundraising and volunteer labour.

The Sandilands Ski Club plans to hold the Landmark Feeds Sandilands Classic on Saturday February 7th.

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Beckie Scott in Winnipeg (posted on October 6, 2008)

Saturday October 4th was CCSAM's 2008 High Performance Fall Camp, but it was also Beckie Scott Day.

Beckie was in Winnipeg as part of the Canadian Pacific Spirit Train that afternoon, but she also made an unexpected appearance at the camp in the morning. Beckie spoke to the group of 29 athletes, 11 parents, and coaches; she encouraged them and indicated that the types of tests being conducted at the camp are a necessary part of the athlete development process. Beckie also participated in the team building exercises, much to the enjoyment of the athletes.

CCSAM High Performance athlete Amie Mathews says she was encouraged when Beckie said: "There's no secret. You just need to have the courage to believe in your dreams and take steps every day towards them". When Beckie stood on the track and joined in the games, she looked like any other person, so it was possible for Amie to connect that with Beckie's hard work that resulted in great achievements. So Amie thought: "I can work hard. I have a dream."

In the evening, 70 members of the CCSAM community, including the Fall Camp athletes and their parents and coaches, attended a meal with Beckie at Sport Manitoba. Beckie played a short video that chronicled her Olympics and Nordic World Cup achievements, talked about her life as an elite cross country skier, and answered questions from the audience.

   

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Please support the Canadian Amateur Sports Network by Chris Rudge, Canadian Olympic Committee (posted on June 6, 2008)

The Canadian Olympic Committee submitted applications to the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Committee for two television broadcast licenses dedicated to the coverage of Canadian amateur athletes: Canadian Amateur Sports Network (CASN) and Le Reseau du sport amateur canadien (RSAC).

www.casn-rsac.ca

We submitted our applications to the CRTC in December 2007 and are awaiting notification of a date for our hearings. I anticipate that the hearings will be scheduled for this fall.

It is imperative that we continue to build on the groundswell of support we already have received for CASN and RSAC in order to keep our applications front of mind with the amateur sports community across Canada. The support generated with your assistance will offer proof to the CRTC of the need for increased television coverage of amateur sport.

To this end, we kindly ask you and your Federation to continue in your efforts to encourage your members to support this COC initiative.

Attached to this email is a draft of a communiqué, in both English and French that I ask you to send as an email “burst” to your members over your signature. Please feel free to personalize the attached messages as appropriate. Could I ask that you please notify Steve Keogh (skeogh@olympic.ca), our Director, Communications, once you have sent out this email burst to your membership?

I am making this request of all COC Federations and look forward to everyone’s enthusiastic response. We are fighting a battle that we must win and can only do so if our collective voice is heard by the CRTC loud and clear.

Thank you.

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Leah Kirchmann receives a Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarship (posted on July 2, 2008)

She was one of 28 student athletes to receive one.

Sport Manitoba's media release (PDF)

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Leah Kirchmann is selected to the Canadian team for the Cycling Junior World Championships (updated on July 7, 2008)

July 12th to 20th in Cape Town, South Aftrica.
Here's the website for the event: www.juniorworlds.co.za/home/view.php
Here's the UCI's Junior World Championships website: www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI1/layout.asp?MenuId=MTU0NDU

Leah was selected after earning two bronze medals (15K time trial and 85K road race) at the Canadian Junior Road Championships near Quebec City this past weekend. There will be up to 1700 competitors from 50 different countries competing.

SkiFaster.net has an article on their website with some pictures of Leah when she was at the Road National Championships in Quebec last week: www.skifaster.net/article.asp?DocumentID=2237.

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Leah Kirchmann is selected to the Canadian team for the World Mountain Bike Championships (posted on June 6, 2008)

June 17th to 22nd in Val Di Sole, Italy. She leaves on June 13th and races on the 18th.

Here's the announcement: www.pedalmag.com/index.php?module=Section&action=viewdetail&item_id=13567

Here's the website for the event: www.mtbvaldisole2008.it/default.aspx?IDL=2

Congratulations Leah!

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Sandilands forest fire by Kevin Miller (posted on May 26, 2008)

I've asked a few Sandilands Ski Club members about the trails. Here is one reply:

I just talked to xxxxxx. He was out there on Sunday. He said the fire burned all the way up to and into the Black Trail (the Black Trail is totally burned), the edge of the Green Trail (southeast side), the warm up shack and outhouses are leveled on that corner, the Blue Trail near the parking lot and that's all he was able to see. He said as he was walking around checking things out he could hear trees crashing down all around in the forest, so he didn't want to venture too far in. He also said the fire was still burning a little in a few places.

www.sandilands.ca/maps.htm

June 18th update: See www.sandilands.ca

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Lindsay Gauld -- Happy 60th Birthday (posted on May 13, 2008)

Click here.

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2008-2009 Callaghan Valley Training Center team -- Leah Kirchmann (posted on May 6, 2008)

Leah Kirchmann has been selected to Cross Country Canada's 2008-2009 Callaghan Valley Training Center team. Callaghan Valley is very close to Whistler, and it's the venue for cross country skiing at the 2010 Olympics. Leah plans to attend Quest University in nearby Squamish while training with the team. Congratulations Leah!

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Nicole Dubois receives a Women to Watch grant (posted on April 21, 2008)

Nicole Dubois recently received a  Women to Watch grant from Sport Manitoba grant from Sport Manitoba.

Women to Watch is a monthly grant program designed to assist young girls and women to further their involvement in sport. Each month a $500 sport grant is awarded to a female athlete, female team, female official, female volunteer, or female coach who meets the criteria. The funds for this grant are split equally between the Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) and Sport Manitoba / Coaching Manitoba. Therefore each applicant must get an endorsement from their PSO (CCSAM).

Applications can be obtained from the downloads section of the Sport Manitoba website at www.sportmanitoba.ca.

Please also see Sport Manitoba's Women In Sport page page.

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Boundary Trails Distance Challenge by Phil Froese (posted on March 18, 2008)

A ski to the sea to top off the season

Not willing to let winter slip away quietly nearly 100 skiers converged on the Burwalde Woods Trails between Morden and Winkler on Saturday March 15th for Boundary Trails Nordic Ski Club’s 3rd annual Distance Challenge. The lofty goal was to try to ski a cumulative total of 1000 kilometres in one day. In the end 95 skiers reached a total of 2089 km shattering many personal records in the process.

To put this into perspective a cross country line of that length would land these skiers in the ocean of their choosing, either the salty waters off the coast of Vancouver Island , the Saint Laurence Seaway to the east or north well into the frozen Arctic waters.

A festive atmosphere was added to the event as many of the participants ranging in age from one to 74 showed up in a variety of innovative costumes.

Trail distances were all carefully marked and the skiers had their choice of 10 km of trackset classic trails and 5 km of skate groomed trail. Some skiers opted for one style of skiing while others moved back and forth between classic and skate technique.

Awards offered seemed incentive for many participants. Eighteen skiers achieved the “Ski Your Age” award while seven managed to double their age and another seven reached triple their age to earn respectively Bronze, Silver, and Gold standings.

The Greatest Family Distance award was earned by the five members of the Brodland family with a combined distance of 249 km. There were also individual distance awards in three age categories. Winners were: Annaliese Loeppky 31km (12 & under F), Levi Warkentine 54km (12 & under M), Alex Loeppky 50km (13-17 F), Luke Brodland 101km (13-17 M), Heather Froese 55km (18+ F), and Phil Froese 105km (18+ M).

Honourable mention needs to go to the oldest skier David Lumgair who at the ripe young age of 74 covered 50km. On the other end of the age spectrum one-year old Naomi enjoyed a 25 km ride in a pulk (an enclosed toboggan) towed by her dad, Rick Weins.

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Fast and Female (posted on February 26, 2008)

Newsletter (PDF)
Website

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Dashing through the snow -- skiing siblings enjoy home-field advantage (posted on February 17, 2008)

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Skiing/2008/02/17/4854595-sun.html

Sun Feb 17 2008

by Dan Falloon, for Sun Media

As youngsters Anais and Simon Giasson blaze a trail in competitive cross-country skiing, their parents are following them stride-for-stride.

Together, Jamie and Allison Giasson run the Riverview Jackrabbits Cross Country Ski Club. Their dedication has rubbed off on their children -- Anais, 11, and Simon, 8 -- who have inherited their parents' love for the sport.

After two years in the Riverview program, Anais now competes for the Red River Nordic Ski Club, an organization more focused on racing. Already this year, she has competed in the Manitoba provincials, where she finished third in the mini midget girls' division and the Ontario Cup in Thunder Bay, where she finished ninth out of 12 skiers.

Anais was happy with her finish in the Ontario Cup, where she faced off against athletes from as far away as Toronto.

While she plays soccer, and used to take dance classes, Anais is happy in cross-country skiing because "not a ton of people do it."

The social aspect is a major part of the sport.

"I know a lot of people there," she said.

One fun part of the training occurs every Wednesday night at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre, where any skier who comes out is able to race for a small fee.

Anais sets high goals for races, but makes changes when needed.

"I aim for the top three," she said. "But it depends how many people I'm racing against."

She is also giving back to the Riverview Jackrabbits, sharing her knowledge of the sport with the younger kids as a junior coach at the Sunday afternoon practices.

Determined

Anais' younger brother Simon, a member of the Jackrabbits, is burning in his sister's tracks. He was shy, and didn't want to be quoted, but Jamie says his son is a very determined athlete, and is tuckered out after a race.

"It makes you look like a bad parent," he said. "It looks like you're pushing your kids, but it's all him."

Simon's determination has led him to nine medals so far in his young career.

Jamie, who grooms the trails along Churchill Drive for the Riverview Jackrabbits, says the kids have at least one home-field advantage

"They have a trail a block from the house," he said. "A lot of other kids don't have that."

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Staying fit is a family affair -- cross-country skiing Carter clan tout jamboree as fun for everyone (posted on February 12, 2008)

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/amateur/story/4124447p-4718831c.html

Wed Feb 13 2008

By Ashley Prest

There's only one thing that could get 47-year-old Jason Carter to put on a bunny suit and ski around for all to see -- family fitness.

"Cross-country skiing is a great sport for family togetherness where everyone, even the parents, can be all doing something and being active," said Carter, who wears the suit as a mascot named Jack Rabbit. He will make an appearance at the sixth annual Jackrabbit Jamboree cross-country skiing event for skiers aged 12-and-under at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre Saturday.

Jason, his wife Megan and the Red River Nordic Ski Club organize the event, which is a one-day extravaganza designed to bring together young skiers for a day of fun and fitness.

Jack Rabbit, whose costume was designed by Megan's mom, gets rave reviews from the young skiers who love to chase a giant bunny on skis.

"He meets the kids, high-fives them, and then participates in a mascot race and we try to challenge other mascots in the race," said 43-year-old Megan.

"It's a great way to get kids exciting about cross-country skiing and being fit. The idea is to have prizes, food and games. To our family, it's a life sport. We've always enjoyed being outside camping and canoeing and this is our winter extension of that."

Along with their sons 12-year-old Sean and 10-year-old Aaron, the Carters have made cross-country skiing a family sport since Sean was three and Aaron was 18 months.

"My parents were like, 'Great, he's walking now! Let's strap him on some skis!' " Sean joked, referring to his younger brother's early start.

Both boys competed in last weekend's provincial championships, with Aaron placing first in the mini-midgets age group (10-11) and Sean placing second in midget (12-13).

"Every Saturday morning (during ski season) for 10 years, we're here," Megan said. "Our idea of a great Christmas together is to take chocolate, Christmas food and go find some of the best skiing in the province."

Over 100 young skiers are expected for the Jack Rabbit Jamboree and warmer weather is anticipated.

"The old adage is there's no bad weather, just bad clothing!" said Jason with a laugh, noting all participants will receive grab bags including a buff -- a cylindrical piece of material which can be worn as a bandana, scarf, tuque, head band or balaclava among many other uses.

Jason and Megan admitted they met through cross-country skiing. Megan was a provincial ski team racer training on roller skis in St. Vital Park one summer when she skied past Jason who was out for a walk.

"I was looking for an alternative to running so I stopped her to ask her what (skiing) was all about," Jason said.

"When the snow fell, she taught me how to ski. Whenever she'd stop to tell me something, she'd fall over. She was great at skiing but when she was stopped she'd fall over so I'd try (to catch her)!" he said, amid laughter from all family members.

While that story got their sons rolling their eyes, both boys acted mortified when asked about their dad skiing around dressed like a rabbit.

"Don't get me started on that!" Sean said, smiling but shaking his head.

"I don't really tell people, I just try to avoid the subject," Aaron said, laughing. "It's definitely interesting!"

2008 Jackrabbit Jamboree

Saturday -- 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Windsor Park Nordic Centre (10 Des Meurons St.)

• Open to all cross country skiing enthusiasts aged 12 and under. Parents, siblings welcome to ski.
• Named for cross country skiing legend Herman (Jackrabbit) Smith-Johansen.
• Ski orienteering, relay races, group games, individual races for skiers eight-and-over.
• 1 p.m. -- special mascot race featuring "Jack Rabbit" among other mascots
• Registration $10 at www.ccski.mb.ca, includes lunch, cookies, hot chocolate, prizes.

© 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Racers really in their element -- Weather fails to slow championships (posted on February 10, 2008)

www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/story/4123097p-4717388c.html Winnipeg Free Press -- Sun Feb 10 2008 -- by Allan Besson

Nicole Dubois switched from speed skating when she was 10 years old. Photo by Marcel Druwé

Who says we're soft these days?

One hundred and twenty-eight skiers from the age of five to 55 braved -26 C (-40 C with wind chill) Saturday to compete in the Manitoba provincial cross-country skiing championships held at the Windsor Park Nordic Centre.

Most of the time a skier's greatest conundrum is what kind of wax to use in order to get the best grip or glide. Yesterday, it was how to dress to escape frostbite.

Skiers took all kinds of precautions against the elements such as Vaseline, and medical or duct tape on their faces, ear muffs under their two tuques, neck tubes, hand warmers in their mitts, wind-proof long johns (although only made for men) under their ski suits, and in the event washrooms were too crowded, there was a heated porta potty available.

No, these folks weren't cowed by the cold. But it was still a concern as organizers waited until the last minute to decide whether to go ahead with the competition, which continues today.

Sixteen-year-old late bloomer Nicole Dubois of Red River Nordic Ski Club was one of the brave who challenged the elements, finishing third in the junior girls' three-kilometre (shortened from six) classic technique event. Leah Kirchman, also of RRNSC, was first and Amie Mathews of Kenora Nordic Trails was second.

"It was cold, but it was actually not too windy, because much of the course is in the woods," said Dubois, who switched from speed skating when she was 10.

"The first time I went skiing was in Canmore which is odd because that is really a World Cup course," she explained. "I was only 10 years old and most kids start when they are four to six years old. I joined this club when I was about 12, and the next year, I went to the provincials, and I won the skate race, and that was a surprise"

Dubois says the skate technique comes more naturally to her because of her speed skating technique. "The only thing I wasn't used to was arm movement," she said, adding that she has had to do a lot of upper body training so that her arms can catch up to her legs.

"The thing with Nicole is that she works tremendously hard in everything she does," said her coach Rob Kirchman, "and that shows really well in the sport. It is a hard sport, and to be good you pretty much have to train every day with maybe one rest day a week. She has been training all year-round.

"It (her quick success) has a lot to do with her background as a speed skater," added Kirchman. "She has progressed a long way. This sport can generally take a number of years to really develop an athlete into a good proficient skier, and Nicole has progressed very rapidly. The conditioning, endurance, leg work (of speed skating), all tie in nicely with this sport."

Kirchman believes that Dubois has a good chance of making it to the Canadian championships at Whistler in March. "Knowing Nicole, she is a hard worker, determined and very competitive. If she wants to carry on with the sport, I see big things for her coming up ahead."

The competition continues today with the skating technique events, beginning at noon.

For a list of Saturday's results, turn to page C7.

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2008 Nordic World Cups in Canmore (posted on January 17, 2008)

The FIS Nordic World Cup circuit returns to Canmore from January 22nd to 26th.

• Canmore's Nordic World Cup website
• Cross Country Canada's news item
• FIS' Canmore Nordic World Cups page

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CBC French TV story with Murray Carter and Ryan Redpath (posted on December 19, 2007)

CBC French TV did a nice two-minute story with Murray Carter and Ryan Redpath. To see it, go to www.radio-canada.ca/regions/manitoba/Tele/Chroniques/skidefond_28765.shtm

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Dryland Training story in the Winnipeg Free Press (posted on November 13, 2007)

Click here.

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Massage Therapy College of Manitoba Sports Outreach program  (posted on September 6, 2007)

The Massage Therapy College of Manitoba offers a Sports Outreach program that allows our students to assess and treat athletes on any and all sports related injuries. The athletes that attend include elite performers in sports such as football, soccer, bodybuilding, marathon, and boxing. Our session will be one hour in length, and will include a specific assessment and treatment for each athlete. If you are interested, please contact me anytime.

Cost: $10 per 1 hour massage
Time: 9:45, 11:00 AM Fridays. Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled massage.

Thanks!

Mark Klassen, Sports Outreach Supervisor, Adv. RMT
Massage Therapy College of Manitoba
2-691 Wolseley Avenue (across from the Misrecordia Hospital)
www.massagetherapycollege.com
Email: REMOVE_THISmcollege@mts.net
Cell: 470-3250

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Murray Carter's Kangaroo Hoppet 42K race result  (posted on August 25, 2007)

Murray Carter competed in the 2007 Kangaroo Hoppet 42K race in Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia this past weekend. He finished 15th of 297 men (7th of  12 in Male 20 to 24) with a time of 2:09:20. It was a free technique (skating) race. Click here for complete results.

Coach Brent Bottomley comments:
I talked to Murray yesterday. He is unhappy with his race because he cracked at 23K while skiing with the leaders. Conditions very soft and slow at the end, and of course they were skiing at altitude. Other than that, it was sunny and calm. 
Actually, it wasn't a bad result for an August Marathon. Murray is recovering from a bad head cold, and is just now starting to shift into higher intensity blocks. We want to peak in February, not August.

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Training & racing in Australia by Murray Carter (posted on August 15, 2007)

Hello everyone. I hope your training has been going well this summer and keeping you out of trouble. Well, I'm in Australia with Catherine in Sydney, but for the month of July we worked at Lake Mountain in Victoria in the snowy mountains. We skied on perfect conditions pretty much the entire month and a half. It was amazing. Trouble was that is rained -- it rained nearly as much as it snowed. I grew a big appreciation for the sun while I was there, let me tell you that. Well, it was all for not, due to the fact that I am competing in the Kangaroo Hoppet this coming week at Falls Creek. For those who do not know of the race, it is part of the World Loppet Series, similar to the American Birkie. But I needed a tune-up for that race, therefore this past weekend Catherine and I made the trip from Sydney to Perisher Blue (big resort in Oz -- well relative to Canada anyway, it's pretty small) for a 30km race called the Snowy Mountain classic!!! It had the most brutal conditions I have ever skied in. I would rather have had a race at -27 degrees than this. It poured rain the entire event, with wind gusting up to 80km/h (plus we were in a treeless environment because we were at the top of the mountain). The course was fun, but the most challenging facet of the race was the fact we were at nearly 1800m, with the added rain coming down in sheets made it difficult. I have never been as wet skiing as this time. I could ring out every single piece of my clothing as if I had just fallen into the Red River. I managed to win the Snowy Mountain Classic easily enough, but it was a tune-up for the Kangaroo Hoppet, which will be much more difficult and 42km. My time in the race for 25km was 1hour and 5min about, so I was ok with that. Get ready for next weekend. Thank you everyone in Manitoba, and I will ski with the force of everyone back home in the hot Manitoba summers. Take care and talk to everyone soon.

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Wildwood trails turning green by Harvey Peltz (posted on February 22, 2007)

While it is true that many active folks are sad to see the snow melt and the trails turn to green, we are happy with the generous response to our fundraising over the winter months. Our skiing and walking trails are also "green" with the support of 30 donors, over half of whom were from outside the Wildwood area. One tax-deductible donation was received from as far away as Gimli. In all, about $1200 was raised, and our collective thanks goes out to everyone who contributed.

The trails were well-utilized this season, even during the cold snap we endured in February. From recreational skiers, St. Johns-Ravenscourt students, Vincent Massey students, and our own Wildwood Jackrabbits to many walkers, both four and two-footed, our trails got us up off the couch and into the outdoors. Many positive comments were received along with the donations.

Our thanks to trail volunteers Bob Stewart and Barrie Webster who set out signage indicating walking and ski trails, maintained a supply of donation envelopes, and removed the signs when the weather warmed.

See you all on the trails next season, and don't forget to think snow (quietly...so as not to offend).

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2007 Manitoba Loppet -- media release of results (posted on January 31, 2007)

Click here. (Adobe PDF -- 488K)

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Fast and Female -- Nicole Poirier   (posted on December 20, 2007)

Click here.

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Skiers vie for sprint supremacy: Winnipeg Sun  (posted on December 20, 2006)

Click here. (Adobe PDF)

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Private ski trail a hidden gem -- Shannondale system a lovingly-groomed treat: Free Press (posted on December 16, 2006)

Click here.

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Best wishes to Rich & Lois Pettit in their new home of Canmore (posted on November 28, 2006)

Rich & Lois Pettit will soon be leaving the Falcon Ridge Ski Area and relocating to Canmore where Rich will be working with some of the younger National Ski Team athletes.
For many years, Rich & Lois have been leaders of the Falcon Sports Club, where they've coached and mentored many young athletes, and also hosted many races at Falcon Ridge, including our Provincial Championships in 2004 and 1998.

In 2003, Rich was a Coaching Manitoba Excellence Award recipient, and prior to moving to Falcon Ridge in the early 1990s, he was the coach of the Manitoba Ski Team. Lois was CCSAM's Administrative Assistant in the 1980s.

CCSAM thanks Rich & Lois for their contributions to cross country skiing in Manitoba, and we wish them the best of luck in their new home.

Leah Kirchmann is the 2006 National Cadet (U17) mountain biking champion (updated with the Free Press story on October 25, 2006)

Leah Kirchmann and Paul Benson are both national calibre athletes in both cross country skiing and mountain biking. At the National MTB Championships this past weekend near Kamloops BC, Leah won the Women's Cadet (U17) race while Paul finished 15th in the Junior Men's race. Canadian Cyclist, Canada's premiere competitive cycling website, writes: "An impressive ride was put in by U17 (Cadet) woman Leah Kirchmann (Manitoba/Trek), who managed to move up to fourth in the Junior category before her race finished (a lap shorter than the Juniors)." Both Leah's and Paul's results can be seen at www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews/July/7.15.0611.06PM28.shtml. Congratulations Leah! PS: There's a Winnipeg Free Press story on October 25th that profiles Leah's result from this race.

Alex Bell shatters high school track running record (posted on May 20, 2006)

This story (Adobe PDF -- 640K) appeared in the Selkirk Journal.

Thompson’s Long Winters a Boon for Cross-Country Ski Passion (posted on April 1, 2006)

This story (Adobe PDF) appeared in Manitoba Hydro's company newsletter. I received it from Rob Kirchmann.

Grandgimlibeiner by Andy Dwilow (posted on March 25, 2006)

Although I've spent a lot of time around water, all the way from Lake of the Woods to the Arctic Ocean, through my hobbies of fishing and kayaking and my job as a fisheries biologist, I've really had little experience with Lake Winnipeg. So, what do you do on a Saturday in late March when the ski conditions in-and-around town are starting to deteriorate, the racing is done, and you're pretty much skied out -- you phone up a couple of buddies and ski across Lake Winnipeg.

The ski trail system at Grand Beach is second to none, and every time I ski there I always stop at the top of The Wall and look out over the lake. It's not that I need to stop at the top of The Wall, it's just that I'm always blown-away by this vast stretch of white that stretches off through the ice fog to the horizon. So at 08:24 on Saturday March 25th, Brad Loewen, Roland Amsler, and myself skate skied away from Grand Marais, following the snowmobile trail across the ice enroute to Gimli.

It had been cloudy all the way from Winnipeg to Selkirk on the drive up, but the skies were absolutely clear when we started our ski. The skidoo trail isn't all that well marked -- just the odd small wooden stake and the most recent skidoo tracks, and if it was at all windy or snowy, things would drift-in quickly, and visibility would be zero, so we paid close attention to the weather forecast before setting out. It was around -10^oC with no wind, and we found the skate skiing very fast. The skidoo trail itself was a bit bumpy but the snow off to the side of the trail was rock hard with just enough sugar to get an edge into -- ball bearings! Wind pants and mitts eventually gave way to tights and gloves, and there was lots of one-skate and jock talk.

The trail doesn't go directly from Grand Marais to Gimli. It hits the west shore around Willow Point where we headed north to Gimli. I was told that the actual starting points on both shores can vary from year to year. The crossing took 2 hour 40 minutes, and we took a 20 minute lunch break at the Viking Statue, and then headed back.

The strong spring sun now started to really exert its effect, and conditions began to deteriorate rapidly. What had been hard crust up to about 11:30 was now becoming increasingly wet and soft with every kilometre. It was now very slow slogging in shirt sleeves, stopping to drink and eat more frequently. The sun really plays tricks with distance perception in wide open spaces, and at times it seemed we weren't getting any closer to the shore, but, eventually, 3 hours 15 minutes after leaving Gimli, we dragged our sorry butts up the bank back at Grand Marais.

The drive home was pretty mellow, my head full of images of the wild and beautiful place we had the privilege to experience.

                    Photos by Roland Amsler.

2006 Manitoba Winter Games (March 2006)

Click here.

2006 Torino Winter Olympics (February 2006)

Click here.

Sports & Arts program at Vincent Massey Collegiate (posted on January 17, 2006)

The Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba (CSCM) and the Pembina Trails School Division established the Sports & Arts Program, located at Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg, to enable high performance student athletes to pursue their sport goals without forfeiting their academic development. Students in the program have access to top-rate teachers, a teacher advisor, and a flexible school schedule that allows them to continue to train and compete. The program, entering its fifth year, has made a real difference in the lives of student athletes.

Info poster

Chris McCubbins -- Inner City Kids' Ski Program (posted on January 14, 2006)

This story appeared as our Headline Photo Story in early December 2005.

2005 Nordic World Cups in Canada (December, 2005)

The race dates are Saturday/Sunday December 10/11 at Sovereign Lake, and Thursday/Saturday/Sunday December 15/17/18 at Canmore.

• Sovereign Lake's World Cup website
• Canmore World Cup website

Tempo Training in Tough Terrain by Kevin Miller (posted on November 11, 2005)

If you have an interesting story to share with the cross country skiing community in Manitoba, please send it to Kevin Miller.

2005 Arctic Circle Race -- Lindsay Gauld (posted on November 5, 2005)

Lindsay Gauld completed the 2005 Arctic Circle Race in Sisimiut Greenland on April 8th to 10th. Click here (Adobe PDF) to read his story.

Peter & Judy Chernis are leaving Pinawa (posted on August 22, 2005) Peter and Judy Chernis will be leaving Pinawa for Vernon BC in September. The Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club held a Farewell Party for them at the Pinawa Club on Willis Drive, on Saturday August 20th at 7:30 PM. Peter's contributions to cross country skiing in Manitoba have been enormous during the past 20 years: a leader of the Whiteshell club for many years, race director of the Manitoba Loppet since 1995, CCSAM 1998-1999 Volunteer award recipient, CCSAM Special Recognition award recipient in 2002-2003 and 2004-2005, perennial volunteer at the CCSAM Swap Shop and Provincial Championships, and author of Race Wizard© Software that is used by CCSAM, Triathlon Manitoba, and the Manitoba Cycling Association. Best wishes to Peter and Judy for happiness and great skiing in Vernon.

Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarships (posted on June 29, 2005) by Barry Moroz, Sport Manitoba

Note:
One of the $1,000 scholarship recipients is "Candice Tremblay, Ile des Chenes (U of Manitoba, Biathlon & Cross Country Ski".  Candice also received a $500 scholarship in 2004.

34 student athletes in Manitoba will receive scholarships totaling $25,500 from the Manitoba Foundation for Sports and Sport Manitoba for the 2005/06 academic year. The Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarship Program supports young athletes of Sport Manitoba partners who participate in amateur sport while pursuing a post secondary education on a full time basis. 

17 student athletes entering the first year of a post secondary program will receive $500 scholarships. 17 student athletes entering the second or subsequent year of a post secondary program will receive $1,000 scholarships. 12 of the recipients are from rural Manitoba. 

The program's emphasis is placed on athletes who have competed at the provincial level or higher in the previous year and who have maintained a high level of academic standing. Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to amateur sport through their involvement in coaching, officiating and volunteer activities. Preference is given to students continuing their post secondary studies in Manitoba. 

The Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarship Program was established in 1992. The Foundation has since awarded 837 scholarships totaling $650,917. 

See http://www.sportmanitoba.ca/mediacentre/newsrelease_2005_06_foundation_scholarships.php for a list of this year's scholarship recipients.

Leah Kirchmann receives a Women to Watch grant (posted on April 20, 2005)

Leah Kirchmann is among seven other female athletes and one female coach receiving the latest Women to Watch grants from Sport Manitoba and Coaching Manitoba. Information about the December 2004 to March 2005 recipients is available on the Sport Manitoba website at www.sportmanitoba.ca/women_grants.pdf. (Adobe PDF)

Women to Watch is a monthly grant program designed to assist young girls and women to further their involvement in sport. Each month a $500 sport grant is awarded to a female athlete, female team, female official, female volunteer, or female coach who meets the criteria. The funds for this grant are split equally between the Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) and Sport Manitoba / Coaching Manitoba. Therefore each applicant must get an endorsement from their PSO (CCSAM).

Applications can be obtained from the downloads section of the Sport Manitoba website at www.sportmanitoba.ca.

Please also see Sport Manitoba's Women In Sport page. page.

A thank you we've received from Rivendell by Isabel Wendell (posted on February 14, 2005)

Rivendell Cross Country Ski Club sends out a big thank you to

• first and foremost, all the Clubs and coaches who got their athletes to the Race…Kenora Nordic (you are amazing!), Boundary Trails, Red River Nordic, the Wolf Pack, Prairie Storm and, of course, to each of the racers. We so appreciate your enthusiasm.
• Dave Benson for the timing and results.
• Peter Chernis for starting.
• all of the parent volunteers who helped us on the course.
• all of our own club members who were able to help.
• ski patrol for assuring the safety of the racers.
• Ronald’s Communication, Parkway Co-op, and Ski Asessippi for their support.
• The Russell Inn for the banquet.
• Rudy Neuhofer (and others) for recording the event in pictures.
• Kevin Miller for the web site information, registration, timing, and all the other things that Kevin does for Cross-Country Skiing.
• CCSAM for all the support.
• Whoever ordered the weather for the weekend (Tim claims that he is responsible for that). It was close to perfect.
• Brent Bottomley for his concern for the six million bees that have to live in the basement, for always showing up here with such a positive attitude, and for all the things he does for CCSAM and Cross-Country Skiing in the province.
• Karin McSherry, who definitely does not have Craft disease (although she wears the label), because she remembered everything (except her skis on Saturday morning). Thank you, Karin, for helping us to organize and run the race. We appreciate your positive and relaxed attitude.

We had a great weekend and hope that you did too.

Vern Zatwarnicki -- Ukrainian Election Observer (posted on January 13, 2005)

World Cup races in Sovereign Lakes (Vernon) and Canmore in December 2005 (posted on Dec 18, 2004)

Ihor Barwinsky is CSCM Coach of the Month for July 2003 (posted on July 14th, 2003)

The Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba has named Ihor Barwinsky as its Coach of the Month for July 2003. The following story has been cut-and-pasted from its July 2003 Communique newsletter.

Coach of the Month — Ihor Barwinsky, Cross Country Skiing

Ihor received his BSc from the University of Manitoba in 1987. He was the Assistant Coach with Team Canada Cross Country Ski for World Cup races in 1995.

He was the Head Coach and Technical Director with the Cross Country Ski Asscociation of Manitoba from 1994 to 2001. He trained Manitoba coaches to attain higher, national level of coaching certification: within 4 years, 9 coaches successfully completing Level 3 programs. Manitoba is now ahead, per capita, in the number of High Level Coaches, of much larger programs such as Alberta and British Columbia.

Ihor is also a Course Conductor and Examiner for Level 3, National Coaching Certification Program. He also lectures in the Faculty of Phys Ed at the University of Manitoba.

Currently with skiing, Ihor has formed the Wolf Pack Ski Club, with coaches Al Siemens (NCCP L2) and Vern Zatwarnicki (L3) and the 3 of them work with the high performance juniors and Special O racers within Winnipeg. They also have an Olympian in their group with Jason Robinson (Nagano Paralympics).

Ihor spends time training NHL prospect level juniors and High end female hockey players for dryland and ice training to pay the bills.

Cross Country Canada announces 2003-2004 National Ski Team (posted on June 6th)

Click here.

Rich Pettit wins a 2003 Coaching Manitoba Excellence Award  by Donna Kaye, Coaching Manitoba (editting for cross country ski by Kevin Miller)   (updated on July 4th)

Coaching Manitoba is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2003 Coaching Manitoba Excellence Awards. Presentation of the awards took place on Saturday, April 12, 2003 at the Radisson Suite Hotel Winnipeg. The awards recognize a history of commitment and dedication to coaching in Manitob Rich Pettita.

Rich Pettit -- Biathlon & Cross Country Ski
Vince Leah Memorial Award -- Grassroots Category

Rich Pettit is a treasure to his community. He holds grassroots training sessions each Tuesday night, and leads developmental sessions on Saturday mornings. He dedicates 5 to 8 hours per week to planning and training with Megan Imrie who is now competing at the national level in biathlon. Rich always encourages honesty, fair play, and fun. Rich is concerned not only about the development of his athletes, but also the development of fellow coaches and the parents of his athletes. Rich teaches technical Level 1, 2, and 3 biathlon and cross-country ski courses, and is always eager to share his knowledge with others. Rich has dedicated 25 years to athlete and coaching development in Manitoba.

Click here for Coaching Manitoba's complete story about Rich.

Addy Ryngach - Basketball
Peter Dick Award - School System Category

Kerrie Ducharme - Tenpin Bowling
Dr. Jack Hunt Memorial Award - Developmental Category

Marie-Helene Desmarais - Women*s Gymnastics
Peter Williamson Memorial Award - High Performance Category

Manitoba Aboriginal Award, Female Coach Recipient -- Maria Moore

Manitoba Aboriginal Award, Male Coach Recipient - Roddy Batson

The 2006 Manitoba Winter Games will be held in Beausejour (posted on March 27th)

Premier Gary Doer today announced the 2006 Manitoba Winter Games provincial finals will be held in the Town of Beausejour.

"The Manitoba Games are an opportunity for athletes, coaches and officials to come together from around the province to test their skills in competition," said Doer. "We're pleased that Beausejour was selected and look forward to a highly successful event."

Core sports for the 2006 games include badminton, basketball, curling, five-pin bowling, alpine skiing, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, volleyball and cross-country skiing.

"The Manitoba Games are a major sport development program of Sport Manitoba," said Jeff Hnatiuk, president and CEO of Sport Manitoba. "We are pleased to support Beausejour, and to make an investment in many lasting legacies for the community and for amateur sport across the province."

Previous host communities continue to enjoy the benefits of hosting such a large competition including enhanced facilities and a sense of community pride and spirit developed through tremendous volunteer support, the premier said.

The province provides the host community with a $75,000 operational grant and up to an additional $75,000 to be matched by the host community for facility development.

The Manitoba Games are the province's largest ongoing multi-sport event. As many as 10,000 Manitobans participate in community and regional events leading up to the provincial finals where 1,600 participants will compete. Since 1986, the Manitoba Games have been held every two years, and alternate between summer and winter sporting events.

"We are delighted that the 2006 Winter Games are going back to Beausejour," said Bernie Chrisp, chair of the Manitoba Games Council. "As host of the 1988 Summer Games and other similar events, the community has the proven experience to stage another successful sports competition."

The 2004 MTS Manitoba Summer Games will be held in Dauphin.

Karin McSherry is appointed CCSAM Executive Director (updated on Mar 12)

Brent Bottomley, Chairman of Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba (CCSAM), is pleased to announce the appointment of Karin McSherry as Executive Director of CCSAM.

Ms McSherry will be responsible for program design and delivery, marking and promotions, financial management, grant submissions, liaison with local, regional, and national organizations, and day-to-day functions of the organization.

Ms McSherry joins CCSAM with many years' experience in the sport field. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg, and extensive experience in a number of amateur sport programs in a wide range of positions as a volunteer, employee, and athlete. This includes being Administrative Director of Prairie Fire Rowing & Paddling Centre, and Manager of the Windsor Park Nordic Centre.

Videos from the 2003 Nordic World Championships (updated on Mar 12)

European subscribers to the global Nordic Ski E-mail List have uploaded to the internet hours and hours of English language Eurosport full-race coverage of the 2003 Nordic World Championships which were held in Val di Fiemme, Italy from February 18th to March 1st.   I have obtained CDs that contain most of those races.  If you're interested in obtaining copies, please contact Kevin Miller.

Lindsay Gauld's diary of the 2003 Ukatak Adventure Race (posted on Feb 17)

Click here.

Trevor Potapoff will be leaving CCSAM in April  by Kevin Miller (posted on Feb 10)

Unfortunately for CCSAM and cross country skiers in Manitoba, CCSAM Executive Director Trevor Potapoff has decided to go back to school, so he will be leaving CCSAM in April.

CCSAM hired Trevor in December 2000.  In the 27 months since then, Trevor has worked tirelessly and effectively, and he has earned the respect of everyone in the cross country skiing community.  I know that many of us have enjoyed working with him, and we'll miss him.

Jason Robinson wins three gold medals (posted on Feb 10)

Congratulations to Jason Robinson who won three gold medals in cross country skiing at the Special Olympics this past weekend.

Paul Lapointe and Lindsay Gauld compete in the Ukatak Adventure Race (posted on Jan 20)

Noted Manitoba cross country skiers Paul Lapointe and Olympia Portage owner Lindsay Gauld, along with Olympia Henderson owner Philip Roadley and world-ranked triathlete Edie Fisher, have formed Team Olympia, the only Manitoba team entered in the Ukatak Adventure Race which started yesterday.  The race began in Quai de Pointe-au-Pic in La Malbaie, Quebec and finishes in Mont Grands Fonds, Quebec in 5 to 6 days. Total distance covered:  410 kilometres.  It involves mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog-sledding, rope sections, orienteering, and some surprise events like para-skiing and ski-scooting.  Teams compete unassisted.  You can track Team Olympia daily at www.ukatak.com

Shannon Dikkema and Tara Redpath compete at the US Nationals in Maine  (posted on Jan 8, 2003)

They are competing in the Senior Women category, which contains US Olympians.

All the results are at http://www.chisholmskiclub.org/chevy_truck/chevy_truck_results.html 

15K classic: Shannon 29th and Tara 42nd of 112
5K free: Shannon 41st and Tara 45th of 167
5K classic: Shannon 28th of 112
Sprints (January 9th):
39K free (January 12th):

The Birch story (posted on Nov 30, 2002) 

The Manitoba Cycling Association website has posted an explanation of the "complex land ownership situation" at Birch.

Redpath will ski on world stage (posted on Oct 23) 

(Editor's note: Tara is a long-time Manitoba Ski Team member whose parents Vern & Jane live in Winnipeg.  Her brother Ryan has also been a Manitoba Ski Team member for many years, but he too now attends an out-of-province university.) 

By Michael Onesi - The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal 

October 6, 2002 

Until yesterday morning, there were four cross-country skiers from Thunder Bay selected to represent Canada at the 2003 World University Games in Tarvisio, Italy this January.

Now there are five.

Tara Redpath, a third-year Lakehead University environmental science student, got the phone call yesterday saying that someone has dropped out and a spot on Team Canada is available. She'll join Kerrie Fabius, Jeff Sequin, Jeff Cameron and Jodi Maepea in Italy.

"I'm super excited," said Redpath during yesterday's Cross Country Kick Off, a skiing expo held at Marostica Motors. "It will be my first time racing against skiers from all over the world. It's pretty thrilling."

The WUG is an 11-day event with athletes from across the world competing in 10 sports.

For Fabius, a fifth-year LU engineering student, it will be her second Games.

"It was so exciting. It was like a mini-Olympics," said Fabius, who finished 37th at the 1999 Games in Zakopane, Poland. "You get a team uniform. All the other countries love Canada and once they see the maple leaf, they're very friendly to you."

There is one unfortunate difference between the Olympics and the World University Games -- cost. WUG athletes have to pay for the privilege of representing their country whereas Olympians get a free ride.

The skiers will have to raise $3,000 each to pay for uniforms, transportation and accommodation.

"I think it's well worth (the price) to have the honour of representing your country at an international event," said Seguin, a second-year LU psychology student.

Redpath, is also willing to spend the money.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's been one of my goals for a long time to go to Europe and race," Redpath said. 

Seguin is hoping to qualify for the 2010 Winter Olympics so these University Games will give him an Olympic-style experience.

"There's a lot of thing's I've never experience before ¯ I've never been in an athlete's village. Which is why (the WUG are) a perfect primer for the Olympics," said Seguin who'd like to finish in the top 30 in Tarvisio. 

Most of the Thunder Bay skiers are training or have trained with the National Team Development Centre in Thunder Bay. NTDC is one of three training centres across Canada that develops athletes for the national cross-country ski team.

Beckie Scott CD-ROM  (posted on Oct 21)

XCZone has just put out a CD-ROM on behalf of Beckie Scott. It contains 17 Quicktime MPG4 movies, 100 photos, and 80 pages of text that give the reader good insight into life on the international cross country ski circuit. 100% of sales go to Beckie.

The cost is approx $12USD plus shipping. This is a novel way for athlete fund-raising to support Olympic dreams in North America.

Available from www.xczone.tv (click on Products).

Kilcona Park trail system  by Chris McCubbins (re-posted on Aug 27, 2002)

Members of the YeSAC are working with the City of Winnipeg to develop a trail system with windbreaks in Kilcona Park. These trails would be located in the southeast area of the park near the Maintenance Yard. The concept is to initially develop 7 kilometers of trail. Most of the trail would be 20 meters in width with a 5 meter wide wood chip trail along one side. An additional 2 kilometers of the trail would be developed from the main trail toward the southwest corner of Kilcona Park where in the future it could be connected to the Trans-Canada Trail. We would also like to see the construction of a bridge connecting the Harbor View facility to the trail area. Windbreaks would be built along sections of the trail which are most exposed to the elements.  These windbreaks would be a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. Some of these plants would be chosen to attract birds and other small animals. A few trees or shrubs of each species could be signed on a section of the trail to facilitate plant identification.  This trail would primarily target the following user groups: people wishing to run for fitness or competition (including school groups), cross-country ski, snowshoe, walk, or picnic. As the windbreaks develop, groups and individuals wanting to watch for birds or study different shrub and tree varieties could make use of the area.

We have changed our working day from Wednesday to Saturday afternoons at 2:00 PM. We would appreciate help from any volunteers that would like to come out.

We are digging holes, planting trees, spreading wood chips, marking trees, and inventorying how the planted trees are progressing. Last Wednesday we had helpers from ages 9 to 69 helping.

If you can come help bring a shovel, fork, rack, work gloves, and/or wheel barrow. We usually have an extra tool to use so if you want to help but do not have tools come out we will find a way for you to help. The wood chips are dusty so you might want a mask.

We meet along Springfield Road between the Maintenance Building and Harbor View entrance.

Watch for updates on progress and work time changes at this site.

Thank you. If you have questions contact Chris McCubbins. 

Cross Country Canada hires new Coordinator of Sport Participation Development by Cross Country Canada (posted on Aug 27)

Cross Country Canada is pleased to introduce Katherine Hamilton who has commenced an eight-month contract as Coordinator of Sport Participation Development, through a program grant created by Sport Canada to increase participation in sport. Katherine is working out of the Bill Warren Training Centre in Canmore. Her position will focus on promoting, sustaining and increasing participation in our Youth, Women's and Disabled-body ski programs and she will work closely with the corresponding committees. 

Having grown up in Canmore, Katherine brings with her great enthusiasm for the sport of cross-country skiing. As a child she participated in the Jackrabbit Ski League Program and has many fond memories of those first few years on skis! In 1999, Katherine attained a BSc in Exercise Physiology from the University of Calgary. In 2000, she completed further course work in the program of Leisure and Sport Management at the University of British Columbia. Katherine is an energetic, creative individual who works well in a multi-disciplinary environment. Katherine enjoys running, swimming, backcountry skiing and mountain biking in her spare time. She is excited to put the Revised Jackrabbit Ski League Program into action this 02/03 season, with the aim to enhance communication and service delivery to our ski Club affiliates across Canada. She is looking forward to connecting with you soon!

Contact information for Katherine will be :
Phone (not until September 10th) 403-678-4954
email: ccckh@telus.net 
mailing address and fax are the same as for the national office

Cross Country Canada hires new Marketing & Events Director by Cross Country Canada (posted on Aug 6)

Cross Country Canada's Executive Director Bruce Jeffries announced earlier this week the hiring of Dave Dyer as the new Director of Marketing and Events Management. "He has all the tools for our job," says Jeffries. "If it relates to marketing, promotion and events, he's been there, done that."

Dyer previously worked for CCC from 1984 to 1992, designing and developing sponsorship strategies and programs. Since
1992, he has been the Director of Sponsorship, Marketing and Communications for the Canada Games Council, the first and only individual to hold the position. In that capacity, he was the Games' resident expert in sponsorship, television broadcasting and merchandising, and worked closely with Games Host Societies to develop their sponsorship, promotion and fundraising strategies.

"We feel very fortunate to get him," adds Jeffries. "His love for the sport proved to be a critical factor (in hiring)."

CCC's National Team is coming off an Olympic year of unparalleled successes, including its first Olympic medal won by Beckie Scott, and the prospects for the upcoming season look equally promising. At this juncture, a renewed emphasis on marketing and promoting cross-country skiing is seen as a strategic priority that can help the Association build both a sustainable high performance program and expand its grassroots organization. Re-establishing a staff position to combine marketing and events is also intended to enhance the stature of CCC's National Championships and the joint Canada/U.S. Continental Cup series of races.

Dyer's position as Director of Marketing and Events Management will be effective as of September 1, 2002.

Manitoba Games news by Kevin Miller (posted on Jul 1 )

Future changes

For four days last March, many of us had an exceptional experience in The Pas where we celebrated sport, specifically cross country skiing, with our families.  However, it appears that the 2002 Manitoba Winter Games may be the last of its kind.  Please see http://www.sport.mb.ca/May%20Newsletter.htm, and read the item on the Manitoba Games.

Nothing is yet finalized, but the gist is that Sport Manitoba and the Manitoba Games Council want the Games to refocus as an event to develop elite competitive athletes. The proposed change that concerns me is a move to an age range of 11 to 21 years old. Some Games sports would not be affected at all because they currently do not include adults. Other Games sports consist solely of adults, so I'm not sure what their future is. Given that exactly 50% of the participants in cross country skiing at the 2002 Manitoba Winter Games were directly related to each other (siblings, spouses, parents->children), the proposed age change would dramatically alter things for us in the future.

This contradicts my convictions about lifestyle sport and most of what I've worked for as a sport volunteer over the past 8 years. My quoted view after participating in The Pas was: "The Manitoba Games provides a family environment, promoting participation in amateur sport to people of all ages. There are several families who compete together at both the summer and winter events."

I will write an update when Sport Manitoba releases more news about changes to the Manitoba Games.

2006 Manitoba Winter Games

CCSAM Executive Director Trevor Potapoff and I appeared before the Manitoba Games Council on Thursday June 27th to present our case for Cross Country Skiing's continued inclusion in the Manitoba Games.  All winter sports that want to be a part of the 2006 Manitoba Winter Games have been given an opportunity to speak.

Trevor presented a strong case for our involvement.  I talked about my family's experiences at previous Games: in 1996 in Morden as spectators, in 2000 in Virden as Triathlon officials while my son was an athlete, and our exceptional experience in 2002 in The Pas.  I think my presentation was well-received.

It won't be until autumn that an announcement will be made about the site of the 2006 Manitoba Winter Games and the sports that will be included in it.

A Manitoban skis in April on Vancouver Isand  by Michael Funke (posted on Apr 5 )

Hi Kevin and fellow skiers in Manitoba,

It`s good news and bad news to hear that you`re still skiing in Manitoba. I`m in Nanaimo for awhile and was skiing at Mount Washington on Tuesday. It was very warm, about 15 degrees at sea level. It was warm on the mountain too with sunburn being a problem, however the snow had quite a good glide, unlike snow in Manitoba which tends to be full of water at those temperatures. People were skiing in t-shirts and having a great time. I was on an intermediate trail and while there were some hills, it was a far cry from Ski Birch. I have also played golf several times with the weather being just great. We`re hoping to be home by the middle of April, and expect you to be rid of the snow by that time so that we can golf at Carman.

Don`t let the cold weather get you down, there`s better stuff coming!

A mild Winnipeg winter, but a very cold March (updated on Apr 3)

• Total precipitation during November to March was 96 mm -- very close to the long-term normal of 105 mm.  Most of it fell as snow, but lots of it melted. 
• November to February was very mild -- an average of 4.8 degrees above the long-term normals throughout the four months (120 days).  That's 576 degree-days during the four months!  However, March was very cold -- 6 degrees below normal.  That is what extended skiing into April.

2002 Manitoba Winter Games  (posted on Mar 10 )

Info, teams, participants, results, links

2002 Masters World Cup at Valcartier Quebec (updated on Mar 6)

From February 22nd to March 3rd, Valcartier Quebec is the site of the 2002 Masters World Cup of cross country skiing. After being held in Europe for the last three years, this is the first North American stop for the event since 1998 when they were held in Lake Placid, New York.

Athletes from around the world thirty years of age and older will compete in five year age groups for the honour of skiing, and hopefully standing on the podium, for their country. The talent level may vary from serious citizen racers all the way to former World Cup and Olympic racers, but the excitement and commitment is the same for everyone. In addition to the athletic endeavours, the social events and camaraderie with competitors from around the world is a big part of the event.

Twelve Manitoba Masters athletes are competing under the banner of the Canadian team:
Marlene Boersch, Brent Bottomley, Andy Dwilow, Paul Lapointe, Milan Lovenjak, Karin McSherry, Danielle Papin, Mia Schorpion, Doug Sinclair, Al Stewart, Robert Stewart, and Sue Vande Vyvere.

Manitoba results (their World results within their age group)

Sunday February 24th -- 30K free (M1 to M6) / 15K free (M7 to M11, F1 to F9)

• Paul 12th (M2),  Andy 34th (M4),  Al 44th (M5),  Karin 10th (F1),  Sue 4th (F2),  Marlene 6th (F3),  Danielle 8th (F4),  Mia 8th (F5).

Monday February 25th -- 30K classic (M1 to M6) / 15K classic (F1 to F9, M7 to M11)

• Milan DQ (M3),  Brent 29th (M4),  Doug 28th (M6),  Robert 22nd (M8).

Tuesday February 26th -- 10K classic

• Paul DNF (M2),  Milan 28th (M3),  Andy 38th (M4),  Karin 4th (F1).

Tuesday February 26th -- 10K free

• Brent 28th (M4),  Al 26th (M5),  Doug 35th (M6),  Robert 25th (M8),  Sue 4th (F2),  Marlene 12th (F3),  Danielle 8th (F4),  Mia 9th (F5).

Thursday February 28th -- 4x5K relay

• Sue and Mia represented Canada.

Friday March 1st -- 45K free (M1 to M6) / 30K free (M7 to M8, F1 to F6) /  20K free (M9 to M11, F7 to F9)

• Paul 15th (M2),  Milan 30th (M3),  Andy 40th (M4),  Al DNS (M5), Robert 19th (M8),   Karin 6th (F1),  Sue 3rd (F2),  Marlene 6th (F3),  Danielle 10th (F4),  Mia DNS (F5).

Saturday March 2nd -- 45K classic (M1 to M6) / 30K classic (M7 to M8, F1 to F6) /  20K classic (M9 to M11, F7 to F9)

• Brent DNS (M4),  Doug DNF (M6).

This event was also the Canadian Masters Championship.   Manitobans received 2 gold, 8 silver, and 3 bronze.

• Sue (F2): Gold in 15K free, Gold in 10K free, Silver in 30K free.
• Karin (F1):  Silver in 10K classic, Silver in 30K free, Bronze in 15K free.
• Marlene (F3):  Silver in 30K free.
• Danielle (F4): Silver 15K free, Silver 10K free, Silver in 30K free.   
• Mia (F5): Bronze 15K free; Silver 10K free.
• Paul (M2): Bronze 45K free.

Birkie inspirations and experiences by Ski Patrollers Brad Loewen & Jackie Beckta (posted on Feb 25)

Brad writes:

I'm back at work after spending the weekend down in Wisconsin at the Birkie. It was my fourth year patrolling the Birkie. There are about 75 patrollers from as far away as Maine, Seattle, and of course, Winnipeg. This year there were four of us from Winnipeg (Jackie Beckta, Vivian Schultz, Bob Romance and myself). This year my patrol assignment included a ten kilometre ski from my drop off point at 24K to the 34K point before the skiers arrived, and then to patrol while skiing with the elites (watch them go by) and subsequent wave one and two skiers till the finish (at 47K this year). It was a lot of fun, particularly being the first to ski on the freshly groomed section between 24K and 34K.

Probably the most inspiring part of the weekend was getting home and calling Norm Thompson and Mike Tymchyshen. They are both previous Birkie Patrollers, and a number off people had asked me to send along greetings. After reminiscing about previous Birkies, Norm told me about how he is waiting for arthroscopic surgery on his knee in early May. He injured it in a fall two years ago, and aggravated it while renovating his cabin last summer. He says it hurts like hell for the first four kilometres skiing, but then it is good after that. Yesterday he put in 16K at Windsor Park. What is he now, eighty years old? Mike T is more like 65, and after discussing the Birkie, he added that if I was looking for snow, he had done the 15K loop at Birds Hill Park yesterday, and it wasn't too bad. I get inspired just talking to these guys.

Jackie writes:

I read Brad Loewen's Birkie 2002 experience, and I thought I should add a few comments. I encourage everyone to try this event at least once in their life. This year my assignment as a Ski Patroller was to ski from 3K to 00 -- about 20K. I skated it and had a excellent time. Anyone who did the classic had problems with their glide and wax. I got to see the elite waves, and those guys and gals who can really move with no effort at all. The hills look so easy once you see them come by you. This year brought rain and snow, and "mud/gravel" conditions. We had very few accidents, and everyone recognized us Canadian Patrollers by our yellow jackets and "Canuck style". I received a lot of "thank you for coming out", and my response was "thanks for racing". I got reacquainted with many of the US Patrollers, and in particular those 5 who patrolled the week earlier in Salt Lake at Soldier Hollow. They said the event was unforgettable, and the media and military had a definite overwhelming presence at the Games. The following memories of this year's Birkie will be those I will share with you:

1. The course is awesome. For every up there is a down, but not too hard that you could not do the event. Even for a skier such as myself who needs many more years of technique training to do it efficiently, this distance can be accomplished with some training.

2. The winning time always amazes me. For the men: 1:57:09.2.  For the women: 2:24:14.6.  How do they do it! It just goes to show you how fit skiers are.

3. Spending time with the Patrollers, and how we are like a family, and how well organized the medical support is for this event.

4. Mud and wet slushy snow at the finish line, and standing in mud puddles to wait for our school bus ride back to Hayward from the finish line.

5. This year was one of the most quiet events -- in terms of injuries, etc.

6. The crowds, the experience, meeting new Patrollers, and sharing my love of this sport with 6,000+ skiers, on a awesome day!

If you have not done a Birkie, try it. You will not forget it!

Happy safe trails.

Free Press story about skiing near Winnipeg (posted on Feb 17, 2002)

On page E9 in the Leisure section of the Saturday February 16th issue of the Free Press, Bartley Kives did a story on cross country ski trails near Winnipeg:

Gold-medal trails  by Outdoors Wannabe - Bartley Kives

City of Winnipeg Parks -- cross country ski trail grooming by Trevor Potapoff  (posted on Dec 7, 2001)

I know this is beginning to be an annual thing, but I have been corresponding with the City of Winnipeg over the past while, and I have been told that as of right now there is no plan in place for the City to groom any of its parks. A month ago it was looking very promising that the City was committed to continuing to groom the parks to some level, but nothing has developed and there is still no plan in place. So, to get to the point, it is up to the City's ski population to raise this issue to our Councilors and the Mayor with phone calls and letters (probably the more irate the better), and let it be know that Winnipeg wants cross country ski trail grooming in the parks.

City Councilors -- phone numbers and e-mail addresses

January 9th update: The CCSAM office has heard that the city now does indeed plan to groom Assiniboine, Kildonan, La Barriere, St Vital, and Kilcona (Harbour View) Parks this year.  In fact they started yesterday.

Masters athlete exploring his athletic potential  by Martin Zeilig  (posted on Nov 9, 2001)

(Winnipeg Free Press Community Review, Wednesday November 7th, page 7.  A photo of Doug -- CCSAM Treasurer-- accompanied the story.)

When Doug Sinclair went waterfowl hunting in Delta Marsh with some buddies one fine fall day 24 years ago, he had no idea it would turn out to be a life changing event. "We were out wandering through the elephant grass and that Manitoba gumbo," says Sinclair, 59, a semi-retired Manitoba Telecom System employee, "and I thought I was going to have a heart attack and die and no one would ever find me. Then I realized that I better get in shape."

At the time, Sinclair was carrying a hefty 185 pounds on his 5-foot-7 frame. Today, he is down to a svelte 155 pounds and preparing to compete in the World Masters Cross-Country Ski Championships in Quebec City in February, 2002. Sinclair has been training with local physical fitness coach Terry Hadlow for the past three months. "I don't think there are too many people around in his age group who can beat him," says Hadlow, who works out of the Dakota Community Centre. "He has an incredible work ethic. I'd like to bottle some of that and pass it on to some of the younger athletes I work with."

Sinclair, who's married and is a grandfather of three, notes that a short time after his sudden realization in the marsh he started going swimming regularly with a friend, Merv Cavers, at noon hours. I could only swim four laps in half an hour," he confesses. "That's how out of shape I was. So we started swimming regularly and started running and cross-country skiing, too." Sinclair moved to Ottawa to work for three years. While there, he began skiing in the nearby Gatineau Hills. "When I returned to Manitoba in 1979, the Masters competitions were just starting," says Sinclair. "So we (he and Cavers) started going to the American Birkebeinar in Telemark, Wisc. It's the largest cross-country ski event in North America."   Cavers was the first non-American to complete 10 of those events, says Sinclair, noting that the Birkebeinar is a 55-kilometre race. "I was the second non-U.S. citizen to do it, and now I've done 15 of them," says Sinclair. "My best time was about three and half hours in 1983."

A few years ago, Sinclair got sick, stopped competing in cross-country ski events, and got out of shape again."This year I'm making a really conscious effort to become competitive again. I'm not trying to recapture my long lost youth. I just want to be competitive in my age category," he says.

He emphasizes that Hadlow, whom he first met while working out with his nephew at the University of Manitoba last winter, has changed his entire philosophy of training. "I feel like I'm just tapping the tip of the iceberg," says Sinclair, in regards to his athletic potential.Hadlow observes that he started Sinclair off slowly, gradually increased the pace "as he's earned the right" to do more intense workouts.

"I don't know what his ambition is to push the envelope, but he's focused on it," says Hadlow.

Rowing event

Sinclair, who recently returned from a cycling trip with friends through Provence, France, stresses that by working out properly and with supervision he will avoid injury and peak  properly for the masters events. Besides the competition in Quebec City, he's also planning to enter a masters rowing competition in Kenora, Ont. next summer. In the meantime, he'll continue working out four times a week with Hadlow as well as rowing almost daily on his home rowing machine plus cycling and rollerskiing at Birds Hill Provincial Park.

"I watch my diet, too," says Sinclair, who worked in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in 1966 -- during the height of the Vietnam War -- operating and maintaining a telecommunications system for the U.S. Army. "We've cut out a lot of fried foods. I eat a lot more fish, pasta and chicken. My ultimate goal is to do really well in masters competitions and to maintain a healthy lifestyle so that I can go cycling in France and on canoe trips (in northern Canada)."

Maybe even back to Delta Marsh one day.

Prairie Storm ski team for 2001-2002 (posted on Oct 15, 2001)

Brent Bottomley, Coach of the Prairie Storm ski team, is pleased to announce that the team consists of  the following athletes for the 2001/2002 season: Karin McSherry, Susanne Vande Vyvere, Marlene Boersch, Kym Bottomley, Naomi Hummeny, Danielle Papin, Dorothy Brandt, and Kristin Buisson. This year's team includes a strong cross-section of athletes, both in age and experience. Prairie Storm also welcomes Jan Coates as an associate member.

Prairie Storm's focus this season is to compete in most local races, at the Pepsi Challenge Ski Marathon in Minnesota, and at the Keskinada Marathon near Hull Quebec. In addition, the Master women will be competing at the Masters World Championships at Valcartier near Quebec City in late February.  The team will be defending their two World Championship bronze medals, and their five gold, three silver, and two bronze Canadian Championship medals from the previous Masters World Championships held in North America at Lake Placid in 1998.

Prairie Storm will be hosting the Grand Birch Classic on January 6th at the Birch Ski Area.  We look forward to seeing you there!

The team is also pleased to announce that Skyweb has signed-on as the major sponsor of the team for the 2001/2002 season.

Winnipeg Free Press story about Megan Hudson (posted on Oct 1, 2001)

Click here for a Winnipeg Free Press story (Sunday September 30th) about Manitoba Ski Team athlete Megan Hudson who attends Senior 4 (Grade 12) at Vincent Massey Collegiate.

New Provincial Team Coach / Technical Director / Development Director (posted on Sep 20, 2001)

The Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba is pleased to announce that Nadene McBride has been hired as our new Provincial Team Coach / Technical Director / Development Director.

Nadene will be working within the following three mandates:

• Coach the Manitoba Ski Team.  Her focus will be the recruitment of new talent.
• Promote and encourage a regional/club coaching structure to enhance the development of elite skiing within the province.
• Provide technical support to cross country skiing in the province.

Some of Nadene’s accomplishments:

• Certified NCCP Level III Cross Country Ski Coach.
• Certified NCCP Level II Mountain Bike Coach.
• Has assisted previous CCSAM Provincial Team coaches on trips and training camps.
• 2000 Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba Coach of the Year award recipient.
• Co-founder of Club Minaki Nordic Skiing.
• Implemented the first jackrabbit program in the Kenora area in 1991.
• Nadene and her husband are the owners and operators of Minaki Yurt Adventures and Rockids.
• Organizer of the Quest, a two-day adventure race from Minaki to Kenora.

In addition to the skills and achievements mentioned above, Nadene brings her outstanding enthusiasm, leadership, organizational and motivational abilities to our organization.

Please welcome Nadene to CCSAM, and whenever possible provide her with assistance as she strives for excellence in the development of elite athletes and coaches here in Manitoba.

Nadene’s contact information:

Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba
200 Main Street
Winnipeg Manitoba
R3C 4M2
Office phone: 925-5637
E-mail to be determined. For the immediate future, any e-mails sent to CCSAM marked with "attention Nadene", will be forwarded to her.

2001 Ski to School Scholarship winner by Anton Scheier, Cross Country Canada Coaching & Athlete Development (posted on Jul 4, 2001)

Tara Redpath of Winnipeg, Manitoba is this year’s winner of the Ski to School Scholarship, an award given out to one who combines excellence in both academics at a post secondary level as well as cross country skiing.  Tara has been involved in cross country ski racing since 1994 during which time she has been a member of the Manitoba Provincial Ski Team. In the past 2 years, she has been a member of the National Team Development Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario and she will return to this program for the upcoming season. Tara has competed at many high level competitions across North America including winning medals at the Junior National Championships in both 1997 and 2000.

Tara’s goals in skiing are to medal at the Senior National Championships and to represent Canada at the international level with the ultimate aspiration being to compete at the Winter Olympics.

Tara, as well as being strong in the sport of skiing, is taking a full time course load at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. She is a third year student in the Honours Bachelor of Environmental Science program. Tara maintains a strong average in her courses and is striving to have a career in environmental research, education or assessment in the area of natural resources.

The Ski to Scholarship Committee has decided that Tara’s dedication to both cross country skiing and to her university studies, makes her deserving of this award. Congratulations!

New Categorization Model for Amateur Sport --- Review of Provincial Sport Organizations Completed by Sport Manitoba  (posted on June 22, 2001)

http://www.sport.mb.ca/media.htm

A happy Windsor Park Nordic Centre user by Wolfgang Rockbus  (posted on Apr 7, 2001)

(The following letter was received on April 5th as a reply to my Dear Manitoba Cross Country Skiers e-mail.  That end-of-season e-mail was sent on April 4th to all cross country skiers in CCSAM's address book.  One of its five topics solicited feedback about CCSAM's operation of the Windsor Park Nordic Centre.)

Hi Kevin,

First of all , I would like to thank the efforts of the folks at Windsor Park Nordic Centre and this listserve for getting me to enjoy my first season back into XC skiing in over 18 years.  Your website was also instrumental in getting me up to speed in what is happening local for XC this past winter.  I made a point of trying to get back into the sport this year after my brother told me of the improvements in equipment since the old traditional nordic bindings and wafer-thin ski boots that never allowed foot warmth.

I went out and bought some fresh skis this year with newer bindings and a ski wax pack and began skiing again at Windsor Park NC. It was a very spiritual experience to glide around trails again ... rekindling the memories I have of my Dad and I shooting through the trails like we did when I was a kid. Not only did I become a XC ski junkie again, but I was also able to bring my wife into the XC ski fold, and after a few sessions at Windsor on my own, I convinced her to join me and I subsequently had to buy another set of skis for her, which she enjoys very much.

My only small beef about Windsor was the lack of signage distinguishing the novice and the more advanced trails -- once we got comfy on the green trails, we found it tough to get onto the more advanced trails, as did others, as they asked us for "the way", and we often did not know.

I can't speak about the lighting -- I did not get into any night skiing this year.  However if I hear that you are lit well enough for night skiing, we'll be there with a season pass for burning off the stress of work at the end of the day.

I rave about the Windsor ski facility to anyone who will listen, and I've had some really nice experiences this past winter getting myself and my wife back onto the sport again. Well done!

With thanks,
Wolf

Special Olympics in Ankorage Alaska --- Manitoba Skiers by Ihor Barwinsky (posted on Mar 13, 2001)

How about those Special Olympic results from Anchorage!!!!!!

Great job athletes and coaches!!!!!!! and they should be commended; that's quite a medal haul. I never got those kind of results.

Train Smart and Hard-Win Easy!

Jason Robinson (The Pas, Winnipeg for now,)
Teri-Linn Johnson (Steinbach-Winnipeg for now),
Lennie Plett (Steinbach-likes it there),
Shannon Bauche (Brandon, really likes it there),
Trent Gussie ("Brandon has been very very good to me").

They are at the top of their category in the world; (Tim Wintoniw: you helped a guy smoke at the worlds) very few can state that, not even Beckie Scott.   And don't forget about the trainers that got them there:
Joyce Wityshyn, Al Siemens, and, yes he just keeps bouncing back, Ken Friesen.

Congratulations!

There is a hoooooge big difference between team-building and team-learning. Everyone should think & talk about this one.

2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games website

Manitoba Masters results (posted on Mar 10, 2001)

Congratulations to Jim Ballendine for winning his Mens 60 to 64 age group at the 48K Pepsi Challenge, the 58K Mora Vassaloppet, the 50K Minnesota Finlandia, and the 50K Sibley Ski Tour.  So that's why we haven't seen Jim at many Manitoba races lately!

Congratulations also to Don Sissons for finishing 168th overall at the American Birkebeiner, and 17th overall at the Sibley Ski Tour.  Also to Marlene Boersch for a 41st overall woman at the American Birkebeiner, and Susanne Vande Vyvere for a silver medal at the Korteloppet event at the American Birkebeiner.

All of these results are linked-to from our Races outside Manitoba page.

A Guide for Sport Parents by Barry Moroz (posted on Dec 21, 2000)

For your information and response to any questions -- A Guide for Sport Parents is now available for reading and printing
on the Sport Manitoba web site.

As this is a large file with many photos, viewing and printing time will be dependent on your modem and computer speed.

Executive Director, Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba (posted on Dec 2, 2000)

Brent Bottomley, Chairperson of CCSAM, is pleased to announce the appointment of Trevor Potapoff as Executive Director of Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba.

Mr Potapoff will be responsible for program design and delivery, marketing and promotions, financial management, grant submissions, liaison with local, regional, and national organizations, and day-to-day functions of the organization.

Mr Potapoff joins CCSAM with many years' experience in the sport field. He has a Bachelor of Recreation Studies and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba and extensive experience in a number of amateur sport programs in a wide range of positions as a volunteer, employee, athlete and a coach / instructor. This includes being Executive Director of Squash Manitoba and Team Manitoba Coordinator for Sport Manitoba.

A report from an informal Jackrabbits Leaders session by Jason Carter (posted on Nov 27, 2000)

An informal Jackrabbits Leaders session was held on Sunday November 26th. The session was quickly put together to take advantage of the warm weather. The leaders  were from Red River Nordic, Wildwood, MNS, Woodhaven, and Laurie Penton of  CANSI. The leaders' kids were the enthusiastic guinea pigs.

The leaders session was really an opportunity to share ideas on teaching tips and most of all games. Everyone contributed to game suggestions, with a few brief discussion about of what worked (Octopus & Seaweed), didn't work (not having pre-selected teams) or things to watch out for ("frozen"  positions in cold weather).

Laurie provided some very interesting suggestions like snow baseball (more like cricket actually, and very popular with Brandon JR groups we were told), using Kool-Aid in a milk jug to set markings in the snow (for start/finish lines, and especially for organizing lines kids going up or down hills) and a hillside dodge ball game that was a great stress reliever (basically a person at the top of the hill throws a soft ball at the skier zipping down the hill in a full tuck). Great fun!

Unfortunately the session had to be cobbled together in very short order so that sufficient notice did not get to everyone who may have wanted to come out. Please accept our apologies for that error. Hopefully that kind of problem can be totally eliminated next year.

Varying levels of interest were expressed by phys-ed teachers in the leaders session. One teacher running a January elementary program had no interest; another was interested but learnt about it way too late (in a line-up at the Swap Shop). It may be possible to run an educators JR leaders session if there is sufficient demand.

Elementary School Ski in Winnipeg (posted on Nov 12, 2000)

For the past 10 or so years, Elementary School Ski in Winnipeg has consisted of a four weeks of 2K races that precede the regular Wednesday Night Race Series race.  At a Board Meeting in September, we decided not to continue with that format because of a lack of volunteers (that is, my wife and I don't want to do it anymore), the belief that a race series is not the best way to introduce elementary students to skiing, and the recognition that the regular Wednesday Night race was negatively impacted by the 2K race.

We're thinking that the best way to introduce elementary school students to cross country skiing is to link the school groups up with Jackrabbit groups.  The elementary school students will have the familiarity of their school group, but they'll also benefit from all the good, fun things that happen during a Jackrabbits session.   Some of the students may even join a Jackrabbits group.

A few weeks ago, Jason Carter took the initiative to begin gathering information from the various Jackrabbits programs in the province, and he's encouraging them to network together for everyone's benefit.

Jackrabbits Leaders:
What do you think of the idea of linking a school group up with your group?  What are some of your requirements? Some of the pros and cons?  Please contact Kevin Miller.  I can also explain to you which schools have had programs in the past, and answer any of your questions.   I'm willing to be the liaison between Jackrabbits groups and school groups --- hopefully using the info that Jason is compiling and I'm posting on a new Jackrabbits page.

Note that we would like to continue having a Manitoba Elementary School Ski Championship in late February, and it may still consist of a some races, but it could also take on more of a "festival" feel.  Perhaps it could be a finale for school groups and Jackrabbits groups?  Please think about this also, and contact Kevin Miller. 

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