NEWS RELEASE
SOO FINNISH NORDIC SKI CLUB
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Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club had 26 athletes compete at the Ontario Youth Championships in Timmins on March 6-8, 2020. Team members aged six-13 competed in both classic and freestyle technique. They also participated in fun relay races, where they teamed up with skiers from across the province.
The championship banner is awarded to the club with the highest score over the course of the weekend. Points are awarded for race finishes and podium standings. The win is a team effort, with contributions from every skier who participated:
Erik Kary, Camren McClenny, Ahnika Davey, Anna Towle, Felix Schamp, Ryan Elgie, Kai Foster, Jadon Pino, Simon Trombello, Myka Broad, Kate de Beer, Kiera Francis, Eli Clowater, James Elgie, Quin Foster, Samuel Phaneuf, Jasper Tchir, Thomas Towle, Callie Broad, Jenna de Beer, Arabella Maclachlan, Lauren Trombello, Violet Schamp, Annie Clowater, Emma Phaneuf and Gwendolyn Tchir.
The weekend competition saw fantastic performances from Soo Finnish skiers, with many podium finishes. In the under 10-year-old category, Jasper Tchir took home gold medals in both the 2 km classic and freestyle disciplines. Teammate Thomas Towle gave an exciting finish in both races with less than two seconds behind the lead to land double silver medals. James Elgie took home a silver medal for his 2 km classic race in birth year 2011. Kate de Beer won gold in the 3 km classic race and silver in the 3 km freestyle technique. In the 1 km classic race for under 8 years old, Annie Clowater won silver for birth year 2012 and Gwendolyn Tchir won silver for birth year 2013. The next day’s 1 km freestyle race was won by Emma Phaneuf for a gold medal in birth year 2012, followed by a silver medal for Gwendolyn Tchir.
Relay team medals were won by Annie Clowater, Emma Phaneuf, Gwendolyn Tchir, Eli Clowater, Arabella MacLachlan, Felix Schamp, Jasper Tchir, Thomas Towle, and Kate de Beer.
This strong showing at Ontario Youth Championships is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the athletes, under the guidance of coaches Ian Sinclair, Connor Psiuk, and Gavan Barrett. Big thanks to wax techs Helen Lindfors, Paul de Beer, and Trevor Tchir.
Soo Finnish Nordic is home to a thriving Jackrabbit ski program that is fueled by passionate and hardworking volunteers. We all share a love for cross country skiing, a fantastic way to stay fit while making lasting winter memories in the great outdoors. If you would like more information, visit the club website. See you on the trails!
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