Day 1 – Golden Boys!

Canadian cross country skiers were excited with 4 men in the Top 16 in the Olympic Pursuit, otherwise known as the greatest day in Canadian male cross country skiing history, but the OUA Men weren’t going to let that overshadow them. So without further ado, from the UWNN team on the ground in Orangeville, a report, poetry-style.

DAY 1!
'Twas the night before OUA’s, and throughout Ontario
All the skiers were sleeping, it’s true don’t cha know;
The groomers were grooming the trails with great care,
In hopes that UW Nordic soon would be there;
The skiers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of snow-flakes danced in their heads;
And coach Colin in his belle-a-clava, and Justin in his slacks,
Were discussing the conditions and how they would wax,
OUA CLASSIC
The very next morning the skiers awoke,
Now please look closely for what you read is no joke.
Away from the start line Henry flew like a flash,
A few minutes later Andrew took off and crashed.
And the sun on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Reflected into Tim’s eyes so that he didn’t know,
It was six-eight on his bib and not an eight-nine,
And so he began five minutes behind!
Then little Ry-anne, so lively and quick,
Started just behind our good friend Der-rik.
More rapid than eagles these skiers they came,
And the crown whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Henry! now, Andrew! now, Tim and Vixen!
On, Derek! On Ry-anne! on, Alison and Blitzen!
(note the replacement of Kieran Jones, Nolan Beanlands, Martha Sutton and Heather Foley by generous donations from S. Claus)
To the top of the hill! Just don’t hit “the wall!”
Now tuck away! pole away! ski away all!"
As the classic races drew to a close and the skiers collapsed,
The crowd milled about and minutes elapsed,
Then up on the wall the results appeared with no sound,
And every man, woman and chipmunk soon gathered around.
With the bronze there was Henry a smile on his face
And in 7th was Andrew what a wonderful race.
Tim was in 21st, at least in UWNN’s collective mind,
But add five minutes and he fell a 20 more spots behind.
Derek pulled in at a great 22nd
And Ryan in 43rd brought up the end;
Alison carried the whole woman’s team on her back,
And after a fantastic race finished the middle of the pack.
The coaches eyes -- how they twinkled! their dimples how merry!
Their cheeks were like roses, and noses like a cherry!
Their droll little mouths were drawn up like a bow,
They were so happy with how their team performed on the snow;
But is was not over, the team stretched muscles already spent,
In just a few hours the classic relay would commence;
The CLASSIC RELAY
Tim wanted redemption so he would begin,
He took off so fast it was prob-ly a sin.
He strided so boldly, his poles were so strong
And he cruised in so smoothly, just singing a song;
A flick of his wrist and a tap to the bum,
Sent Andrew off in 6th and boy did he hum!
He spoke not a word, but went to work hard and fast,
And pulled into second; tagging Henry at last,
Henry lay his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up those hills he rose;
He sped to the finish, and his team gave a cheer,
For he was in first and no-one was near!
But I heard him exclaim, ere he skied into sight,
Merry OU’s to all, We’ll sleep like Babies tonight!