Nordic skis to win on own track

A group of cross-country skiers in a junior boys division carve through the snow seconds after starting a race during the Teck BC Championships at the Otway Nordic Centre on Sunday.

Alistair McINNIS/Free Press

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The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club enjoyed a championship finish on the weekend.

At the Teck BC Cross Country Ski Championships at the Otway Nordic Centre, the host Caledonia team won the club title for the most podium finishes. Points were awarded to the top five skiers in each category, and then added up for the weekend total.

This marked the Caledonia’s first title of its kind in 20 years. They also won the provincial club championship at the event in 1989, 1990 and 1993.

“Everyone’s really ecstatic,” Caledonia Nordic Ski Club head coach Andrew Casey stated in a press release. “Winning this title is really motivating for the kids, and it helps with the development of younger skiers to show them that this club can do well.”

More than 300 participants from throughout the province hit the snow at Otway. The host club had 73 members registered.

The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club is the largest ski club in B.C., with more than 1,800 members.

Milder weather and a bit of rain hit the region last weekend, which created challenges. Participants were also adjusting to newly constructed trails, used for the first time in competition.

“We have been able to train on the home course over the past season, which has given us an advantage,” Casey stated. “It really helped how we did.”

More than 100 volunteers helped run the event. The competition acted as a test event for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, volunteers and participants taking the opportunity to train over the weekend. The Games are scheduled for Feb. 13 to March 1, 2015.

Otway is also pitching to host the 2014 Western Canadian Championships. For more on the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, visit www.caledonianordic.com.