Eastern Canadian Championships, Feb. 3-5 at Gatineau’s Nakkertok Ski Centre presented by Tourisme Outaouais and Ville de Gatineau
Évènements Nordiques Gatineau Nordic Events (ENGNE) will be organizing the Eastern Canadian Cross Country Ski Championships, February 3-5, at Gatineau’s Nakkertok Ski Centre. Local athletes, Antoine Cyr of Gatineau and Katherine Stewart-Jones of Chelsea have just had career best results on the World Cup circuit and this event will attract and develop the next generation of National Team stars, including many athletes from the local area. As an Eastern Canada Cup and a Quebec and Ontario Cup race the event will bring together skiers from across the country. It will also be an important competitive opportunity as the athletes prepare for the Canadian Championships to be held March 11 to 17 Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Tourisme Outaouais and Ville de Gatineau, will once again be presenting sponsors for the races. Jacques Dumont, Organizing Committee Chair: “The presenting sponsors, have been an integral part of making our events a success. Their ongoing support to us and the Gatineau Loppet have helped the Ottawa-Gatineau region become a hotbed of skiing in Canada”.
While we have our fingers crossed that the coming snowstorm will provide ideal conditions for the event, the Nakkertrak, artificial snow loop, will form the core of the courses and will provide a quality, 3km, “back up” option.
Athletes will vie for $12,000 of prize money, as part of the “Hall Mark of Excellence Program” and contributions from Ski de Fond Quebec, Cross Country Ontario and the local organizers. The Hall Mark program was set up by former Canadian National Team coach Marty Hall, and his wife Kathy, to help with the development of skiing in Canada and the U.S.
We will provide an event schedule, and list of participants, closer to the event. Media are invited to cover the event February 3 to 5. Out of town racers will be arriving on Thursday, February 10. For on site access during the event please use the contact information below.
For more information contact:
Anton Scheier media@engne.ca 613-601-8257
Marie-Pier Pelletier-Millette 819-593-1159