Eastern Canadian Championships 2014

          After just one week of recovery the UW Nordic ski team made way to Ottawa for the most attended ski race in North America The Canadian Eastern Ski Championships were held at Nakkertok ski club in Cantley, Quebec from January 31st to Feb.2nd., 2014. The event also being a part of the North American (NorAm) circuit brings some of the country's top skiers -- essentially anyone not racing in Europe at the Junior and U23 Championships or preparing for the upcoming Sochi Olympics was in attendance.  The race is also attended by the majority of athletes racing in the OUA making for an exciting and competitive race weekend for all levels of racing.

Orion during the 20km. classic race 

          From the Waterloo men's team was Oliver Conway-White, Colin Elliott, Orion Austrup and Ryan Fahey racing a 15km freestyle event on Saturday and a 20km classic race on Sunday. The Waterloo women's team was represented by Katie Madden, Alison Stephenson and Johanna Mercedes Van Shie-Copol for the 10km freestyle event on Saturday and 15km classic race in Sunday.  Coach Colin served as both the only coach and wax tech. for the weekend with the welcome exception of some grip and testing assistance on Sunday morning from local alumni Nolan Beanlands. 

          Saturday's race was a rather later start time, with the women not starting until 1o'clock and the men's race not starting until 2.  The women's team along with coach Coling made the most of the morning and did some pre-race shopping and strolling through Ottawa, with the most crucial and absolutely necessary stop being  at Kettleman's to pick up dozens of infamous Ottawa bagels.

Katie skiing in an OUA pack 

          The Warriors showed that they were in good standing in such a competitive field. Katie Madden led the women with a solid 35th in the 10k freestyle event in a time of 34:24. Katie was the highest placing Warrior for the day.  Following was Alison Stephenson in 42  and 35:34 and Johanna Mercedes Van Shie-Copol in 59 and 37:50.   Leading the Warriors on the men's side was Oliver Conway-White in 68 place in 43:42.    Colin Elliott was next in 88th and 46:43, Ryan Fahey was 118th in 52:41 and Orion Austrup was 126th in 54:16. 

Oliver gaining speed down a hill

           Sundays race was a much earlier start with the open men being the first ones out at 9:05 am and the open women following shortly after starting at 10:20am.  Overnight 15cm. of snow was received which made for challenging conditions for both the goomers and wax. techs.  It was not a piece of cake for athletes either as the tracks were very soft in most parts, with deep ruts of snow accumulating at the bottom of downhills and downhill corners.  Nonetheless, the Warriors stepped to the line with some equally impressive results to match.  The first Warrior to cross the line was Oliver Conway-White in 1:09:49, earning him a spot of 52nd place. Following were teammates Colin Elliott in 83rd in 1:19:27, and Orion Austrup in 109th in 1:30:59.  Alison Stephenson led the women to the line on the ladies side placing 38th in a time of 1:06:58.  Alison was the highest placing Warrior of the day.  Katie Madden and Johanna Mercedes Van Shie-Copol followed in 44th in 1:09:22, and 54th in 1:14:37, respectively.

Colin E. looking up the hill as he climbs 

         This is the last major race that the UW nordic ski team will be in attendance at before the OUA Championships from February 21st-23rd, held in North Bay, Ont. The snow conditions are excellent here in Waterloo so there will be much training done here at Bechtel park in the meantime, including the second in the Orion race series happening on Thursday, February 13th.

All photo credit to Gord Kerr, thanks for the great pics!