April 24-27

Ottawa, ON, St. Paul’s College

Coaches often express that while coaching conferences provide valuable material, the content is not always applicable in daily training environments—particularly when working with large groups of 20-25 athletes without access to a fully integrated support team.

Building on the success of last year’s Communities of Practice, we remain committed to ensuring the practical application of the concepts presented. This year’s conference will focus on the theme: “How does this inform programming, and How can I apply it in my daily training environment (DTE)?”

We will explore the existing tools within our system that can be effectively utilized in a developmentally appropriate manner, ensuring they are adaptable to all levels and group sizes across the athlete pathway.

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Recognized as the most sought-after Canadian artist, Mad Dog Jones is adding Nordiq Canada to the list of global brands and high-profile athletes, including Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, with whom he collaborates. Jones’ work is known for its bold, futuristic aesthetic, and now, he’s bringing that same energy to Canadian cross-country skiing. Check out his Instagram here.

Before becoming a world-renowned artist, Michah was a cross-country ski racer in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and he remains an avid skier, still competing in local races. His deep connection to the sport and the team inspired him to take on this unique project—a first for a Canadian Olympic and Paralympic ski suit.

“I love cross-country skiing, so the opportunity to design a suit for Canada’s best athletes is incredibly special,” said Mad Dog Jones. “I want them to feel fast and strong every time they put it on.”

The 2026 race suit design will be a bold visual statement, reflecting Canadian heritage and the power and athleticism of Canada’s top cross-county skiers.

Nordiq Canada CEO Beckie Scott shared the team’s excitement: “To have an artist of this caliber, who is not only Canadian but also a cross-country skier, designing our Olympic and Paralympic suits is an incredible honor. We can’t wait to see our athletes race in a suit that blends art, sport, and national pride.”

Mad Dog Jones is giving back to the sport he loves, making this design possible for Nordiq Canada. His generosity ensures that Canadian skiers will stand out on the world stage.

Watch for the official unveiling of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games field of play uniform closer the Games.

The Athlete Directors (sometimes referred to as “Athlete Reps”) are full voting members on Nordiq Canada’s Board of Directors, and represent the perspectives of Nordiq Canada’s race license holder athletes in decision making at the Board level. They are crucial to ensuring the athlete’s voice is heard, and to Nordiq Canada’s success as an organization.

Nordiq Canada has three Athlete Director positions. Two positions are up for election this year.

1. Male Athlete Director (Can be an able-bodied or para athlete) The current male Athlete Director is Julian Smith.
2. Para Athlete Director (Para athlete of any gender)

This is the first year that we will elect a Para Athlete Director.

The two positions are both 2-Year terms, expiring at the Athlete’s Meeting at Canadian National Championships in 2027. Athlete Directors are eligible to serve up to 3 consecutive terms.

The third Athlete Director is the Female Athlete director, who can be either an able-bodied or para athlete, The current female Athlete Director is Katie Weaver. Katie was re-elected in 2024 to serve a two year term ending in 2026.

Who is Eligible

To run for these positions (as per the Nordiq Canada by-laws), you must:

• MALE ATHLETE DIRECTOR: be, or have been at some point during the prior eight years, an active Canadian cross-country ski racer and license member at the national or international level. This athlete may be an able-bodied or para athlete
• PARA ATHLETE DIRECTOR (any gender): be, or have been at some point during the prior twelve (12) years, an active Canadian cross-country ski racer and License Member at the national or international level. This athlete must be a para athlete.
• Both directors must also fulfill these requirements from the Nordiq Canada By-laws:
  • is eighteen years of age or older;
  • has the power under law to contract (in short, this means that the person or entity is legally capable of entering into and being bound by a contract)
  • is not declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country;
  • does not have the status of bankrupt;
  • is not considered ineligible to serve as a director of a registered charity under the Income Tax Act; and
  • is not part of the staff of the Corporation or a Division Member or a director of a Division Member

 The Election Process

• Candidates are required to declare their Intention to Run in advance and submit written materials for their “Pitch” by the deadline outlined below.
• Candidates will also be introduced and answer questions from fellow athletes at a
• National Athlete Meeting on March 20th (time will likely be 3 pm mt) at the Canmore Nordic Centre in conjunction with the 2025 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals. This meeting will also be on Zoom. Details will be sent to all race license holders.
• The election will take place on an online voting platform called ElectionBuddy. The “pitches” will be posted on the ElectionBuddy site (and on a separate website so that people can see the profiles before logging into theElectionBuddy system).
• Race license holders from the 2024-2025 season will receive an email from ElectionBuddy with a link to candidate information and the voting process. ● All 2024-2025 race license holders are eligible to vote for both positions.

Application Process for Candidates

Interested candidates must fully complete this form

(https://forms.gle/CDoyM8rfX7VAhQy47)  by 11:59 pm PT on March 17, 2025 to notify Nordiq Canada that you intend to run for one of the positions. This form includes candidate information, eligibility declarations as well as candidate information that will be posted prior to the election to inform voters about the relevant skills/experience you bring to the table and why you think you are the right athlete for the position .  

Key Dates

About the role

Focus on Governance

• The Nordiq Canada Board is a governance focused Board. Nordiq Canada employs a form of governance that separates governance from day-to-day operations. The Board sets long-term strategic direction for Nordiq Canada and then monitors the ongoing performance of the organization in achieving that direction on behalf of the Voting Members (the Divisions and the race license holders). Through the Ends (otherwise known as goals) the Board establishes the desired long-term results for the organization. The management team – led by the CEO – then uses that direction to establish the strategic plan and annual business plans.The CEO is responsible for the day-to-day operations in accordance with Board policies and within any limitations imposed by the Board. While the Board is accountable for all of Nordiq Canada’s activity, it delegates to the CEO the responsibility for carrying out the actual work of the association, empowering the CEO to execute the “how” of achieving the organization’s goals to the maximum extent that is consistent with maintaining the Board’s accountability.
• The Board develops and implements the Board Policy Manual which comprises the long term goals for the organization, any limitations that the CEO must consider and the procedures for the operation of the Board.
• The Board acts as a unit, not individually. The Board Committees assist in executing the responsibilities of the Board and advising the Board, however all decisions are taken as a group.
• The Board has committees or task forces of the Board to support it in its role. Athlete Directors are also members of approximately 2 Board committees at Nordiq Canada, based on availability and committee requirements. Board committees currently include:
  • Finance,Audit, and Risk Management
  • Governance
  • HR
  • Nordiq Canada Development Fund
  • Safeguarding Committee

Note that these are Board specific Committees that advise the Board and their mandate. These committees do not advise any operational areas, which are under the jurisdiction of the Nordiq Canada CEO.

Operational Input through the Athlete Advisory Committee

The Athlete Directors are Co-Chairs of the Athlete Advisory Committee, which brings together athlete reps from across the country to discuss issues and advise the Nordiq Canada CEO as well as advise the Nordiq Canada Board. The Athlete Advisory Committee is unique in that it provides both operational and governance feedback to the CEO and the Board respectively.

This committee meets approximately 6 times per year.

Time Commitment

• The Nordiq Canada Board meets monthly for regular meetings (currently the second Monday of each month), and occasionally for other special meetings. All Board members are expected to prepare for and attend all meetings, as well as Nordiq Canada’s AGM. The first Board meeting for the new Athlete Director will be in April 2025.
• The Board also meets in person 1-2 times per year including the AGM which involves 2-3 days of meetings
• All Board members also participate in a variety of Board educational activities throughout the year. The first education activity will be a governance education course for all new Board members which takes about 8 hours in total. All Board members are also required to take some Safe Sport training. These educational opportunities help to make the board more efficient and effective and are valuable personal development opportunities.
• Board committees meet 4-8 times per year.
• The Athlete Advisory Committee meets approximately 6 times per year.

Potential Athlete Director should familiarize themselves with Nordiq Canada’s

• Board Policy Manual
• By-laws
• Strategic Plan

Benefits of Being an Athlete Director – by Katie Weaver

Written by Katie Weaver

Through my experience in being the Female Athlete Director I’ve gained skills that have helped me develop as a person. I’ve gained: 

• Better critical thinking, open mindedness, and communication skills through working with the board. I’ve learned to communicate the voices and best interests of the athletes while keeping in mind the current barriers and constraints of the organization.
• Improved leadership, organization and initiative in chairing the Athlete Advisory Committee.
• The ability to take on special projects as an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change on topics I care about with my involvement with sub-committees.
• My ability to see things through a big picture lens and address them with detail oriented actions has improved because of this role.
• My interactions with senior board members has created mentorship relationships and opened up opportunities for greater personal development beyond this role.
• Sense of pride knowing that I’m representing the athletes and voicing their perspective to the best of my abilities.

These skills and opportunities will help me when I move on from ski racing. These same skills that you will gain in this position will show prospective employers and admissions committees that you are committed to leadership and growth beyond the competitive aspects of skiing, that you truly care about the community that you’re a part of. This position shows that you want to be a part of the positive culture, growth and accountability of Nordiq Canada to its members. 

“It feels fantastic to win a third consecutive Crystal Globe,” said Arendz. “Staying on the podium for three straight seasons is something I’m really proud of. There are always ups and downs, but consistent shooting and skiing have been the key to success.”

This season alone, Arendz raced to five World Cup wins and three world championship titles, never missing a podium.

For Arendz, winning is the result of a relentless drive to improve.

“I try to go into each season with the goal of learning as much as I can. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow as an athlete. Once you reach a certain level of success, you have to seek new challenges to keep progressing. That’s where I’m at in my career—taking in everything I can as I prepare for my fifth Paralympic Winter Games.”

Next year, the Hartsville, P.E.I., athlete will compete at the Milano 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, with his sights set on gold.

Arendz’s journey in Para sport has been defined by resilience and determination. After losing his left arm in a farming accident at age seven, he turned adversity into triumph, representing Canada on the world stage.

“My fourth career Crystal Globe is a great indicator of my consistency and ability to perform,” said Arendz. “The focus now is to fine-tune everything over the next 12 months—building the ability to perform on demand at the biggest event in Para sport.”

This latest achievement further cements Arendz’s status as one of the world’s top Para biathletes—and is hopefully just a preview of what’s to come at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Here are the Team Coatsworth Athlete Grant Winners:

• Lyne-Marie Bilodeau
• Alison Mackie
• Amelia Wells
• Samuel Picard
• Rémi Drolet

Here are this Year’s winners for Projects:

Read Full Story  here

Emma Archibald finished 13th in her World Championships debut, while Derek Zaplotinsky finished 7th.

Read Full Story here

Mark Arendz was back to near-perfect form, shooting 20/20 and skiing to a dominant victory, securing his second world title of the week. Natalie Wilkie overcame an early miss but battled back on the skis, taking the win with just one miss for her second championship title.

Derek Zaplotinsky finally captured the World Championships medal he’s been chasing, delivering a flawless performance on the range and a strong ski to claim silver and his first-ever World Championships podium.

Read Full Story here.

Schilpario, Italy – February 7, 2025 – Edmonton’s Alison Mackie won her second consecutive bronze medal at the 2025 FIS Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships, elevating Canada’s medal count to three.

Mackie completed the 10km course with a time of 28:07, finishing 36.2 seconds behind Norway’s Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen, who took gold with a time of 27:31 Germany’s Anna Endress claimed the silver medal, clocking in at 28:00.

“Going into the championship, my goal was to get one medal, and that was a really scary thing to think about because I can’t control my competitors, whether I get sick again, or how the skis are,” said Mackie.

Last year at the 2024 championships, Mackie was sidelined from competition due to illness.

“I’m really proud to be skiing so consistently right now. A fourth and two thirds are a reflection of all my hard work over the past few years and the incredible support from the techs and staff here. I had great skis every single day.”

This achievement comes on the heels of Mackie’s historic bronze in the 20km mass start classic, which marked Canada’s first women’s Nordic Junior Worlds medal since 1989.”It just means the world knowing everyone is super happy and proud of you. And I’m proud of my teammates too—many of them got personal bests, and some are racing at their first Junior Worlds. Everyone has done amazing so far this week, and I’m excited to see what our relay team can do.”

With the mixed team relay on Sunday, Mackie is eager to continue Canada’s momentum. “Mindset is a really important part of it. As much as I can do to help my teammates get excited and ready, I’ll do my best. We’ll be talking about exchanges and tactics over the next couple of days, and I’m really looking forward to working with my teammates.”

Canada’s medal tally at the championships now stands at three, underscoring the talent, and system supporting the next generation of Canadian talent.

Full Results

Read the full story here.

Competition resumes on Saturday.

Photos: IBU