Last weekend, Nordic ski racer Andrea Lee of Black Creek clocked the fastest time in the women’s under 23 Skiathlon event at the World Trials and earned a spot on the Canadian National U23 Team. Later this month, Lee heads to Liberec, Czech Republic for the World Under 23 Nordic ski championships.
Lee says, “I’m very excited to head to Liberec. This is my first time representing Canada (and the Strathcona Nordics) overseas, and I know it will be a phenomenal experience. My goal is enjoy the experience, learn lots, and ski as fast as I can!”
Lee’s home club is the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club, where she trained and raced throughout her teen years. Lee’s former coach, Dave Battison says, “It is fantastic that Andrea has made the National Team! I hope that this is the catalyst that takes her on to international success.”
The U23 World Championships are a week-long event with five races over nine days. Some of the best skiers in the world will be attending this event, including future World Cup and Olympic stars.
For the past two years, Lee has been training with the National Team Development Centre in Thunder Bay, Ont. while attending Lakehead University and working towards a degree in biology.
Of the messages she has been receiving from friends and family on the island, Lee says, “It feels so great to hear so many words of support and encouragement from people from the club and ski community on the Island. It’s extremely motivating to feel so much support even when I’m on the other side of the county. Thank you!”
You can follow Andrea on the National Team Development Centre website at http://www.ntdc-tbay.on.ca/andrea.htm.
– Strathcona Nordic Ski Club
