THUNDER BAY – Scott Hill and Alannah MacLean are both two-for-two in their quest to bring a national Nordic skiing title to Lakehead.
Just one day after being members of winning sprint teams, Hill and MacLean both won their respective races on Sunday at Lappe Nordic Centre to help propel the Thunderwolves as they chase the Canadian Colleges and Universities Championship crown.
“Being here at Lappe is a huge advantage and I think with these first two days we’re off to a good start to take home that banner,” said Hill, who won the men’s 10-kilometre event in a time of 24 minutes and 3 seconds.
The men are chasing their third title in the past four years after being outplaced by the Carleton Ravens last year while the women are seeking their fourth straight trophy.
MacLean, who won the five-kilometre in a time of 14 minutes and 10 seconds, led a Thunderwolves sweep of the podium as she was followed by teammates Sadie White and Erin Tribe.
The 21-year-old said it was the first time this season she has felt completely satisfied with her performance.
“This season I’ve struggled with my distance racing mainly because I have cold induced asthma,” she said.
“I feel like I have nothing to lose. This is my home course where I know every corner, every turn, every hill and downhill so I just left it all out on the course.”
On the men’s side, Lakehead’s Benjamin Wilkinson-Zan placed behind Hill in fourth while Chris Hamilton was seventh.
Strong local showings continued in the Haywood Ski Nationals, where a pair of Lappe Nordic Club skiers stood at the front of the pack.
Michael Somppi and Andy Shields, who combined to win the team sprint on Saturday, finished one-two in the men’s open 10-kilometre race.
Somppi had a blistering time of 23 minutes and 9 seconds while Shields was the next fastest in 23 minutes and 43 seconds.
“All of my firsts, the first time I qualified for under-23s I did it here, my first NorAm victory was here so it’s fitting that my first time becoming national champion would be here,” Somppi said.
They couldn’t ask for a better start to the week-long competition.
“This is all we hoped for going into this event. We thought we could do it but to do it at home, where everyone is so proud of us, it feels so good to put on a good show,” Shields said.
Evan Palmer-Charrette made it three Lappe skiers in the top ten, placing seventh.
Dahria Beatty, a skier with the National Senior Development Team, won the women’s open five-kilometre category placing just four seconds ahead of National Ski Team member Perianne Jones.
The competition takes a break on Monday before resuming on Tuesday with classic intervals.
