NORTH BAY, Ont. -- An enthusiastic and large group of Big Thunder Nordic Ski Team’s Junior Racers competed at the 2018 Ontario Youth Championships family day weekend.
Hosted by North Bay Nordic, this two-day event included classic and skate technique events as well as a fun-focused relay event. Led by junior racer coach Jimmy Gunka, a group of thirteen young athletes gave outstanding performances while competing against over 200 of the best young skiers in Ontario.
Saturday got underway with classic interval start events. Skiers raced in either the peewee or midget age ranges and medals were awarded based on year of birth. Completing a five-kilometer event, midget girl Carley Kiiskila (2004) claimed gold for her year of birth, followed by Aubrey Smith (2004) and Danika Whitaker (2004) in 7th and 16th respectively. Teammates Sarah Cullinan (2004) placed 8th, followed closely by Arwyn Macintosh (2004) in 25th and Isobel Stewart (2005) in 18th, all competing in their first championship.
In peewee girls, Sarah Kiiskila (2007) and teammate Sally Stewart (2006) dominated the event, both winning gold for their year of birth. Competing in her first youth championships, Kytalyn Smith (2006) placed a solid 17th. Also new to nordic racing, peewee boy Nolan Nytrai (2008) claimed silver, while Willem van Duyn (2006) placed 4th in his age category
Midget boys Joel Haering (2005) and Matthew Randall (2004) gave strong performances placing 6th and 4th respectively for their year of birth.
Sunday featured an exciting mass start skate competition where skiers all start together and must fight their way onto the trail. In a breathtaking sprint to the finish, midget girl Carley Kiiskila (2004) was again unbeatable claiming gold for her year of birth and placing second overall by only 0.4 seconds. Teammates Aubrey Smith and Sarah Cullinan (2004) followed closely in 7th and 13th respectively. Danika Whitaker (2004) and Arwyn Macintosh (2004) also skied well in the competitive mass start finishing 15th and 18th respectively, improving their placing from day one events. Isobel Stewart (2005) placed 14th. In peewee girls, both Sarah Kiiskila (2007) and Kytalyn Smith (2006) placed 8th in their year of birth.
In Sunday’s five –kilometer midget boy’s event, Joel Haering (2005) claimed 7th and Matthew Randall (2004) placed 11th. Both peewee boys made the podium with Willem van Duyn (2006) claiming bronze and Nolan Nyitrai (2008) silver.
Big Thunder athletes and organizers are now looking ahead to the Ontario University Association Championships hosted by Lakehead Thunderwolves February 23 to 25, the Ontario Winter Games February 28 – March 2nd in Barrie, Ontario and the Haywood Ski Nationals hosted by the Lake Superior Nordic Association (LSNA) at Lappe Nordic Center March 10 to 25, 2018.
