Haywood 2010 Ski Nationals - Medium Distance Skate Event
By:  Kyle Power   (2010/03/18)

    Yesterday was the Medium Distance Skate event here in Whitehorse at the 2010 Haywood Ski Nationals. It looks like all of XC Ottawa is back on track from Tuesdays mixed results with a pretty impressive showing all around the board. The only thing we were not blessed with today was the big blue Yukon sunny sky and instead we fought through some like snow and overcast skies. The race course was yet again in awesome shape and fast despite the little bit of fresh snow.

  Up first was the Women’s 10km. XC Ottawa’s top finisher was Megan Mctavish in 14^th place and less than two seconds from her was Alana Thomas in 15^th spot. Sheila Kealey also having a good day following pretty closely in 18^th spot.  Anna Geiger-Whitlock crossed the line in 29^th position.

    The Men’s team was in full force with some notable results in the 15km skate. Karl Saidla who had a much better race than on Tuesday was XC Ottawa’s top finisher in 19^th spot overall, and placing 18^th in the Senior Men’s category. Next was Matthias Purdon who had a great performance finishing up well in the mix and placed 27^th in the Senior Men’s Category. Justin Demers decided to suit up and charge the race course despite feeling some effects of a cold. He still raced well to 49^th spot.

 

    We also had strong results in the Junior Men’s Category. Colin Abbott showed up to fight for redemption and redemption he got finishing in a pretty impressive 13^th place. Kyle Power felt like he had his best possible result on one of his favorite 15km Skate courses. He clocked in today at a very solid 18^th place and personal best result. Lee Hawkings fought hard as well and finished in 41^st place.

 

    Some of the XC Ottawa racers are also racing in the CCUNC (Canadian University) category for Carleton University where they are succeeding quite well. Alana Thomas placed 2^nd in the Women’s event. And in the Men’s event Carleton University had a podium sweep! With Nakkertok’s Stefan Llyod in 1^st place, Matthias Purdon in 2^nd place then followed by Colin Abbott in 3^rd. Kyle Power was also just off the podium in 5^th spot. This stellar day for Carleton Men’s team puts us in good position for the overall title. Rumor has it were tied for first so we will be going hard in the sprints on Friday.

Women's Podium. Alana Thomas with the Silver!

Men's CCUNC Podium. Carleton Sweep!

Most of the XC Ottawa team is looking forward to the sprints and hoping to move through the heats in hunt for some great results. Meanwhile we have a rest day to relax and catch up on work or enjoy some Northern Activities such as dog sledding!