This weekend the ski clubs in the Ottawa-Gatineau area gathered together for another NCR time trial, this time a skate interval start from P8. With 130 racers from midget to senior categories, this was one of the biggest time trials yet, and showed the strength and depth of the local ski community. Racers and volunteers from Nakkertok, Chelsea Nordic Ski & Biathlon, Skinouk and Carleton University made up the large number of people present.
The crowd during bib pick up.
This format and distance has been a staple in the NCR series of time trials. Previous race formats include a mass start uphill skate time trial, and a mass start double pole/classic uphill time trial. Today, we did interval starts, with midgets completing 4kms (P8 to P5 and back), juvenile categories and junior girls skiing 6kms (P8 to top of Dave's Hill and back), and junior boys and open categories completing 9kms (P8 to Mica and back). With 15s intervals between each starter, there was a steady flow of racers on the course, which made for an exciting time trial!
The first racer, looking serious and determined, ready to go at the start line!
Ingrid, Megan, and Sheila were three of eighteen skiers in the open women category - the biggest time trial field for open women yet! Megan and Sheila ended up in a sprint against each other on the final hill, with Ingrid following close behind. Sheila finished in second position, with Megan in 4th and Ingrid in 7th. The race was won by Laura Leclair of Chelsea Nordic, and Laura Inkila of Nakkertok rounded out the podium in 3rd, only 8 seconds off the winner.
Ingrid sprinting to the line
Megan climbing one of the many hills.
Sheila pushing hard.
Race winner Laura Leclair.
Karl and Mark both competed in the Open Men category with a field of 12. Karl finished in a strong 5th, with Mark in 11th. The race was won by Antoine Cyr of Skinouk, with Nakkertok's Maks Zechel in second, and another Nakkertoker, Aidan Kirkham, in third.
Karl skiing strong.
Mark climbing with a strong one-skate.
Race winner Antoine Cyr chasing another skier.
As with other time trials this summer, this race could not be possible without the strong core of volunteers, who tirelessly worked to pull off another amazing race! We would like to thank them for all their hard effort and dedication to the time trial.
The finish line crew is all smiles anticipating the finishing racers.
Full results can be found here. We are already looking forward to the next time trial in the series!
Interesting Reading. . .
"Jessica Spring - Illustration + Design"