Racing at opposite ends of the country Lappe Nordic skiers scored top results for Thunder Bay.
Racing in his first Ontario University Championships for Lakehead University, Gavin Shields was victorious in the Men’s 7.5km skate race, narrowly edging out teammate and Big Thunder skier, Chris Hamilton by 5 seconds. Racing on the challenging trails at Nakkertok Ski Club in Gatineau Quebec, Shields said he was pleased with the result and could now relax a bit heading into the weekend, having achieved his first objective.
The result helped put Lakehead on top of the University rankings heading into Saturday’s team relays.
Meanwhile, three time zones away, older brother Andy along with teammates Michael Somppi, and Evan Palmer-Charette were racing with the National Development Centre in Prince George, BC, at the Western Canadian Championships. In a tight race on a fast, icy track, Michael Somppi lead the Thunder Bay skiers home in third place, only three seconds out of first, with Andy Shields close behind in 4th. Evan Palmer-Charette rounded out the group in 7th, to take first in the under 23 Category.
The race was a great start to the weekend for the crew who are racing the championships to qualify for the Ski Tour Canada world cup races later this month.
