Alta Gas Report
Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club
April 2014
Thanks to all for a great season of cross-country skiing at the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club! Revelstoke Nordic enjoyed its third season under the direction of a full-time Head Coach, thanks to the generous financial support from Alta Gas. As Head Coach, my role is directly involved with coaching the Ski Skool, adult classes, clinics, private lessons and the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Team, encompassing Track Attack and Junior Development skiers.
Our Ski Skool program ran smoothly and effectively, offering Nordic instruction to 56 4th grade students from Columbia Park, Begbie View and Arrow Heights elementary schools. Each group took part in four weekly, three-hour sessions with the help of our dedicated volunteer instructors Louisa Fleming, Michael Moen, Sarah Boyle, Tayla Koerber, Heidi Hopkins, Sean Gallagher, Koreen Morrone and Mandy Kellner. Once again, our skiers from Columbia Park had the opportunity to participate in Larch Hills’ Pirate Loppet. Additionally, four skiers took advantage of our March Break Ski Days; open sessions for any interested Ski Skool skiers to come back and improve their skills. New to this season, all Ski Skool gear was stored at the Macpherson Nordic Lodge, minimizing transportation and logistical challenges associated with the program.
Our technique-based Adult Intermediate and Advanced classes ran for 10 weeks from January to March, rotating between each week between classic and skate sessions. 13 skiers participated in the program, which offered the choice between Tuesday evening or Thursday afternoon classes. Several adult skiers also took advantage of our new Wednesday Night Open Training, which offered a fitness-based session for interested skiers of all abilities. 26 skiers took part in the two One Day Clinics offered in December and January. Finally, 20 skiers purchased Private Lessons.
New for the 2013-14 season was the addition of the Wednesday Night Headlamp Heroes Race Series. December kicked off the event with an Interval Start Classic Race sponsored by Skookum and attended by 34 skiers. In January, the Village Idiot sponsored our Freestyle Sprints, which saw 42 skiers competing. Free Spirit Sports sponsored February’s Freestyle Mass Start, with 34 skiers participating. The series concluded with 34 skiers taking part in our Flowt-sponsored Mixed Relays in March. Wade Viznaugh and Ian Ward deserve a huge thank you for their assistance in putting on these fun events.
Revelstoke Nordic enjoyed a successful 2013-14 ski season. Formal training sessions ran from July until early April. There were 19 Track Attack (aged 9 -12) and nine Junior Development skiers (13+). While on snow, Track Attack skiers trained two to three times weekly and Junior Development skiers were on snow three to five times weekly. Bruce Granstrom, Rory Luxmoore and Katie Nash were instrumental in assisting with coaching on a weekly-basis. Brittany Evans assisted in leading our summer training sessions and providing guest coaching while on-snow. Other guest coaches included Nikki Norrie, Fraser Springings and David Palmer. Once again, Penny Page-Brittin was our lead Wax Technician, receiving assistance from Lucie Bergeron, Rory Luxmoore, Jason Stupnikoff and Brad Park. In addition to all aforementioned coaching and waxing aides, a big thank you must be extended to the generous parents who provided ongoing support to skiers throughout the year.
Throughout the offseason, we attended numerous training camps with skiers across the province, including: Spring and Summer Talent Squad Camps at 100 Mile House, Fall Regional Camp in Salmon Arm, Fall Development Squad Camp in Revelstoke and the Talent Squad and Regional On-Snow Camp at Sovereign Lake / Silver Star. The racing season began with a NORAM in Vernon in December and our own Okanagan Cup / BC Winter Games Qualifier in Revelstoke. In January, we travelled to the BC Cup in Prince George, the Reino Keski and Pirate Loppet in Larch Hills and the BC Cup in Kamloops. February saw skiers compete at the Okanagan Cup in Penticton, the BC Midget Championships in Salmon Arm, four skiers and myself represented the Okanagan at the BC Winter Games in Mission / Callaghan Valley and the BC Championships in Kelowna. In March, we concluded our race season with the Sovereign Lake Loppet and a new, late season event for the team: Alberta Cup / Sharkfest in Canmore. Here are some highlights of the past season:
– 7th place team BC Midget Championships
2nd Simon Blackie, 2001 Boys Interval Start Classic and Free Sprints
– BC Winter Games
1st Alana Brittin, Mixed Relay and 2000 Girls Interval Start Classic
2nd Elizabeth Elliot, 2000 Girls Free Sprints
– 7th place team at the BC Championships
1st Alana Brittin, Midget Girls 2 Interval Start Classic
3rd Elizabeth Elliott, Midget Girls 2 Mass Start Free
3rd Elliot Wilson, Pee Wee Boys 2 Mass Start Classic
3rd “Hop, Skip & Jump”: Francesco Morrone, Alexandra Luxmoore and Elliot Wilson, Pee Wee Boys Free Relay
3rd “Spicy Beef Sauce”: Elizabeth Elliott, Beth Granstrom and Alana Brittin, Midget Girls Free Relay
– 4 individual aggregate medals awarded for overall performance in BC Cup Series
1st Emily Suchy, Para Nordic Sit Ski Women
3rd Alexandra Luxmoore, Pee Wee Girls 2
3rd Nelson Luxmoore, Bantam Boys 1
3rd Simon Blackie, Midget Boys 1
3rd Alana Brittin, Midget Girls 2
Our Race Team not only displayed great results, but also grew to incorporate a large number of dedicated young ski racers who thoroughly enjoy sport. Skiers will maintain their fitness through a variety of sports during the spring, with several Junior Development skiers adhering to their year-round training plans. Formal training will commence in July.
The Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club would like to thank Alta Gas for their generous financial support. We are grateful of your commitment to the development of our Nordic ski programs.
Matt Smider
Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club Head Coach