A determined trio from the Nelson Nordic Ski Club competed in the B.C. Midgets Championship last month in Kelowna.
Maya Abraham, Lachlan Bibby-Fox and Kaelum Smith represented the club at the event, which drew over 220 athletes between the ages of nine to 12.
The Nelson skiers were not fazed by the high-calibre competition. Abraha, 10, placed third in the 2006 girls’ 300-metre sprints and fourth in the two-kilometre classic race while competing against a field of 36 athletes.
Her teammate Smith also took home third place in the 2006 boys’ 300 sprints and fifth in the classic race.
In the 2007 age category, Bibby-Fox won the B final of the boys’ sprints for a seventh place finish overall and placed seventh in the two-km classic race.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the team relays, where the three skiers recruited an athlete from the Telemark club to complete their four person team. This event has a fun twist as many of the teams come up with some interesting names and dress in costume. The Nelson team managed to pull off a third-place finish in the unofficial boys team category.
To add to all the excitement, Abraham was awarded one of only five coveted technique awards in the classic event. The three youth would like to thank their coach Doris Hausleitner, who accompanied them at the event, as well as all the Nelson Nordic coaches who have supported them over the season.
Abraham was also among the winners Saturday as the ski club hosted its annual Teck Kootenay Cup event. Clubs from Rossland, Kimberley, Fernie and Hills took part with 140 racers competing. The Nelson event is part of a regional cross-country race series throughout the Kootenays.
