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Local cross country skiers from the Telemark Nordic Ski Club in West Kelowna competed last week at the National Cross Country Skiing Championships in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Over 600 athletes from across Canada, the United States and Europe participated in the event, but the Telemark squad achieved its best-ever result by finishing 8th overall in the team aggregate competition.
The highlights of the week included silver and bronze medal performances by Ian Williams in the Classic and Free technique (silver), and Free Sprint (bronze).
Williams also teamed up with fellow KSS student, Cole Turner, to earn silver in the Junior Boys Team Sprint. Numerous other Telemark athletes achieved top 10 aggregate awards at the week-long competition:
- Juvenile Boys (2003): Gregor Graham (3rd) and Ian Mayer (6th)
- Juvenile Boys (2002): Connor Hobbs (8th)
- Junior Boys (2001): Cole Turner (3rd)
- Junior Boys (2000): Ian Williams (4th)
- Junior Women (1999): Jenna Sim (5th)
- Junior Men (1999): Tallon Noble (5th)
- Junior Women (1998): Hannah Mehain (3rd)
- U23 Men: Gareth Williams (4th) and Thomas Hardy (6th)
“The Telemark program is attracting some the best young talent in the nation,” said Adam Eliot, Telemark head coach.
Telemark has developed affiliation agreements with UBCO and Okanagan College that enables elite athletes to pursue a post-secondary education while training full time.
“Cross country skiers do not achieve their peak athletic potential until their mid to late twenties, so anything we can do to support these athletes academically while they are training at a high level is key to retaining them in the sport,” added Elliot.
For more information about the Telemark Nordic Cross Country Ski Team, please contact coach Brent Hobbs.
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