By Matt Smider, Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club
The Revelstoke Nordic Ski Team competed in a successful BC Midget Championships this past weekend at Larch Hills Nordic Ski Club in Salmon Arm. 215 competitors from all across B.C. and a Washington team competed at the event. Only athletes born between 2001 and 2004 were eligible to compete in what is known by many as "the most fun race of the year".
Cool weather necessitated a delayed start time to allow for temperatures to climb above the -15C cutoff for competition. Once things got underway, athletes competed in a two kilometre interval start classic race.
The afternoon saw four-person relay teams race around a 1.5-kilometre loop, with the first two legs classical technique and the final two legs skating technique. On Sunday, athletes ripped around the stadium area competing in the head-to-head 300-metre skate sprint event.
The BC Midget Championships is run in a ski tournament format where teams collect points for participating, top placings and outstanding technique.
Overall, Revelstoke Nordic placed seventh out of 16 teams competing in the event; quite impressive for a club of it's size. The team was led by veteran Simon Blackie, who collected two silver medals in the highly competitive 2001 male category and dominated the first leg of the boys relay. Here is a list of top results from the 15 competing Revelstokians:
Saturday - 2km classic
2nd - Simon Blackie, 2001 Boys
4th - Nelson Luxmoore, 2003 Boys*
4th - Francesco Morrone, 2004 Boys
5th - Elliot Wilson, 2004 Boys
6th - Alexandra Luxmoore, 2004 Girls
8th - Jaclyn Elliott, 2003 Girls
10th - Arianna Morrone, 2003 Girls
Sunday - 300m sprints
2nd - Simon Blackie, 2001 Boys
6th - Nelson Luxmoore, 2003 Boys
8th - Elliot Wilson, 2004 Boys
8th - Alexandra Luxmmore, 2004 Girls
10th - Jaclyn Elliott, 2003 Girls
* Nelson Luxmoore was awarded a technique award for his outstanding skate technique during the sprint event.
"Our skiers had an impressive showing at their season's highlight event," said coach Matt Smider. "It was amazing to see all our skiers pushing their limits and having a superb time doing so."
Older members of the Revelstoke Nordic Team will be competing in the Western Championships in Prince George this coming Thursday to Sunday.
The following weekend, four Revelstoke athletes will compete at the BC Winter Games in Mission/Callaghan Valley. The BC Championships take place at the end of February in Kelowna. Lots of race to come - stay tuned.