By Anne Duggan
Cold temperatures did not chill the performances of more than 600 athletes at the Jan. 30-Feb. 1 Canadian Eastern Championships held at Nakkertok Nordic’s cross-country ski complex in Cantley.
Organizers and athletes alike, were thrilled with the three days of spectacular racing, despite the shortening of Sunday’s long distance classic ski races due to sub -15oC temperatures.
Leading local athletes at the senior level of competition were the Carleton Ravens’ Colin Abbott and Kendra Murray, both of whom were the fastest university athletes on all three days of racing.
“Warming up was very important on Sunday,” highlights Abbott, originally from Whitehorse and a skier since age 4. “I needed to be ready to go at any time and (the lead pack) made a break early. It was great that waxing was not a factor, so the emphasis was on fitness.”
The 24-year-old fourth-year environmental science student was 6th in open competition in Sunday’s classic mass start 15 km race, which was originally going to be a 20 km race, and was also the top university male in earlier 15 km classic and free races.
Murray, who also hails from Whitehorse, had her best result from Sunday’s frigid classic race as well, placing 2nd out of all women, while also winning the women’s university 10 km classic and free events.
Chelsea Nordiq’s Laura Leclair dominated the 1997-born girls’ junior B category at the championships, winning the 3 km skate prologue, the 5 km skate and placing 3rd in the 5 km classic mass start.
“The 5 km skate race was my best race of all,” Leclair underlines. “My legs were lighter and more powerful. I felt strong and it was my kind of course. There were lots of hills and fast conditions. I like hunting people down.”
Though disappointed with the shortened race, Nakkertok’s Kailey Young made the most of it and ended up with her best result of the weekend, winning the 5 km classic event by 8 seconds in the challenging conditions.
“Classic is my best technique,” notes the 14-year-old Glebe Collegiate Institute student who also topped her 3 km free category. “I was a little worried because although the wax was fast, the grip wax was less sticky. But the downhills went really well.”
Kanata Nordic’s Andrew Hayman swept all three 2000 midget boys’ races, with teammate Philipe Turcanu joining him on the podium in the 3 km skate prologue and 5 km skate.
“It was probably the first time that Kanata placed first and second at the Easterns,” signals Hayman, a Grade 9 West Carleton Secondary School student. “I am so proud of those moments on the podium with my friend. Our club is small and, until now, Kanata Racers has not been known for its competitive racers.”
Chelsea Nordiq’s Carly Little also produced a sweep of the 2001 girls’ category.
“My classic race was great,” recounts the 13-year-old. “Usually, I am nervous for mass starts, but it went well.”
Other local champions included Nakkertok’s Mats Halvorsen, a double-winner in the 2001 boys’ 5 km classic and free, Skinouk’s Nicholas Pigeon (Jr. A 15 km free), and 5 km free winners Alia Sanger of Chelsea Nordiq (1999 girls) and Nakkertok’s Alison Pouw (1998 girls).