David Zylberberg Qualifies for Ontario's Canada Winter Games Team
By:  Craig Storey   (2003/01/07)

David "Zugga" Zylberberg (sponsored by Karhu) took advantage of the relatively flat course at Porcupine Ski Runner Nordic in Timmins to double pole away from the competition in the first half of the same day pursuit. The victory in the classic leg secured Dave the first spot on Ontario's Canada Winter Games Team. Just to confirm his position Dave skated a strong second leg, but was out sprinted and ended up second to Thunder Bay NTDC member Jeff Seguin by a boot length. In comments after the race, Dave said he was especially pleased with his Karhu skis and even went so far as to lend his skating skis to teamate and Karhu skier Alicia Berthiaume.

XC Ottawa athlete Tom McCarthy, (also of NADC Ottawa-Gatineau and the Carleton Ravens) placed 6th overall and earned a position as an alternate to the Ontario Team. This result is impressive considering Tom's recent duel with the dreaded Norwalk virus.

The full men's team consists of: Sean Crooks (Thunder Bay), Jeff Seguin (North Bay), Dave Zylberberg (Ottawa), Timo Puiras (Thunder Bay), Dave Nighbor (North Bay). The women's team is made up of: Perianne Jones (Ottawa), Colleen Mortimer (Ottawa), Andrea Nighbor (North Bay), Emily Hayman (Sault Ste. Marie), Viktoria Koskenoja(Sault Ste. Marie). Ontario's Canada Winter Games Team athlete photos are posted on the Cross Country Ontario Website.

About the Canada Winter Games

The Canada Winter Games take place from February 22nd to March 8th 2003 in Bthurst-Campbellton New Brunswick. The skiing will take place in Charlo, NB from February 24th-28th.

The objective of the Canada Winter Games is to provide young athletes with someexperience at the national competition level. While it is evident that not all athletes will reach the top international echelon, the Games will nevertheless provide them with a unique opportunity to better themselves.

As we look back to participants at previous Canada Games, one is impressed by the list of Canadian athletes who have gone on to represent Canada on the international sporting scene.

Here are a few names that will surely convince you: Lennox Lewis (boxing), Paul Kariya (hockey), Catriona LeMay-Doan (long-track speed skating), Steve Nash (basketball), Marc Gagnon (short-track speed skating), Hayley Wickenheiser (women's hockey), Rhéal Cormier (baseball), Milaine Thériault (cross country skiing), and Marianne Limpert (swimming). These athletes were all participants at previous Canada Games.

Visit the Official CWG website at www.2003canadagames.ca.