(North Bay, Ontario) February 25th, 2019
An enthusiastic group of Big Thunder Nordic Ski Team’s Junior Racers competed at the 2019 Ontario Youth Championships February 23rd – 24th. Their achievements added to an already successful season for Big Thunder athletes at all levels. The championships were held over two days and included both classic and skate technique events as well as a fun-focused relay. Supported by Cross Country Ontario, over 200 of the best young skiers in Ontario came together to participate in this annual competition. Athletes raced in either the peewee, mini-midget or midget age ranges and medals were awarded based on year of birth.
Big Thunder’s Sarah Kiiskila dominated the mini-midget girls category, finishing first for all age-groups in both the skate and classic races. Mini-midget boy Nolan Nytrai also did well in his year of birth (2008) earning bronze and silver for skate and classic events. In Saturday’s interval start freestyle (skate) event, midget boys had a strong showing. Willem Van Duyn (2006) managed to secure second place, followed by Josiah Weber (2006) who placed 9th. Joel Haering (2005) claimed a solid 6th while teammate Tristan Vanlenthe placed 13th. Midget girl Kytalyn Smith (2006) cracked the top ten finishing 8th. Pee Wee boy Jack Nytrai (2010) claimed bronze while Pee Wee girl Klara Van Duyn (2009) finished 6th.
Sunday featured an exciting mass start classic competition. The best results of the day came from Sarah Kiiskila with gold overall in Mini-midget girls. Jack Nytrai (2010) and Willem Van Duyn (2006) both narrowly missed the podium in 4th for Pee Wee boys and Midget boys respectively.
North Bay Nordic also recently hosted the Ontario Cup # 5 together with the Ontario University Association Championships February 16th -17th. Along with strong performances by the Lakehead Thunderwolves, Big Thunder athletes Max Hollmann and Carley Kiiskila both claimed bronze medals in Junior Boy and Juvenile Girl categories, respectively.
Looking ahead, athletes will travel along with Head Coach Adam Kates to the 2019 Haywood Canadian Ski Nationals March 13th – 20th in Ottawa, Ontario. Full results for all competitions can be found on www.zone4.ca.
