By Matt Smider, Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club
The nation’s top cross-country skiers were blessed with warm and sunny conditions for the 2013 Ski Nationals held at Whistler Olympic Park from the March 23–30. Seven skiers represented Revelstoke Nordic at the championship; including our newly crowned Para-Nordic Women Sit Skiing National Champion, Emily Suchy.
Also representing Revelstoke were Brittany Evans, Megan Evans, Bronte Viznaugh, Tayla Koerber, Daniel Blackie and Gordon Mason.
Conditions were surprisingly similar for all seven days of the event. Temperatures would hover just below zero overnight and rise to double digits in the sunshine come early afternoon. Sunscreen, shades, shorts and T-shirts were commonplace at Whistler Olympic Park. Event organizers did an excellent job ensuring the course held up in the warm conditions.
Revelstoke Nordic placed 22nd out of 63 teams in the overall aggregate standings, thanks to the following strong performances:
Emily Suchy
Para Nordic sit ski women 2.5km: 2nd
Para Nordic sit ski women 5km: 1st
Para Nordic sit ski women 700m sprint: 1st
Para Nordic sit ski women 7.5km mass start: 2nd
Brittany Evans
Open women team sprint relay (with Megan Evans): 8th
Junior women 5 km free: 8th
Open female 10 km classic: 58th
Junior women sprint: 15th
Junior women 20 km mass start free: 9th
Megan Evans
Open women team sprint relay (with Brittany Evans): 8th
Junior girls 5km free: 10th
Junior girls 10km classic: 23rd
Junior girls 1.2km Sprint: 30th
Junior girls 7.5km mass start free: 6th
Tayla Koerber
Challenge girls team sprint relay (with Bronte Viznaugh): 27th
Juvenile girls 5 km free: 44th
Juvenile girls 5 km classic: 33rd
Juvenile girls 1 km sprint: 58th
Juvenile girls 7.5 km mass start free: 19th
Bronte Viznaugh
Challenge girls team sprint relay (with Tayla Koerber): 27th
Junior girls 5km free: 47th
Daniel Blackie
Challenge boys 2x3x700m Team Sprint (with Gordon Mason): 39th
Juvenile boys 5 km individual free: 75th
Juvenile boys 7.5km classic: 70th
Juvenile boys 1 km Sprint: 71st
Juvenile boys 10km Mass Start Free: 55th
Gordon Mason
Challenge boys team sprint relay (with Daniel Blackie): 39th
Junior boys 10 km free: 81st
Junior boys 7.5 km classic: 57th
Junior boys 1.2 km sprint: 71st
Junior boys 15 km mass start free: 69th
The skiers are now enjoying a much-deserved rest after a highly successful ski season. All athletes would like to thank their families, coaches and local businesses that have supported them throughout this season. Keep an eye for roller skiers whizzing around town in the coming months.