It is no mere coincidence that Dave Wood came along just as Canada’s insurgence into the cross-country skiing elite began. “He worked hard to create a culture of unity and support within the ranks,” Beckie Scott pointed out, “which was ultimately a determining factor in how successful we became.” “He was,” pitched in Sara Renner, “the ground-breaker in the Canadian coaching system in the sport of cross-country skiing.” After a coaching career spanning nearly four...
Canada, the winter sports haven that it is, has 338 Nordic ski clubs scattered in all parts far and wide where cross-country enthusiasts and up-and-coming stars can click into a pair of skinny skis and partake in their favourite pastime. We examine the furthest of those points – taking our community on a journey to our most westerly club in Whitehorse before heading to southern Ontario. Our trail across the country will then lead us to a visit on The Rock in...
There are those young people who aren’t fulfilled unless they’re being tested on a daily basis, mentally and physically. Remi Drolet appears to be one such individual. “I’m focused on my goals,” points out the 19-year-old. “I have to keep working hard. I perform best when I’m challenged because I seem to have better motivation when I’m striving for something that’s difficult rather than just doing it for the heck of it.” Drolet doesn’t do things just for ‘the heck...
He hails from a country of sphinxes, not snowmen. “The first time to ski? Wonderful. Awesome,’’ enthuses Wael Ghanem. “I can’t tell you. So much fun. “We never had this opportunity in our country, of course. Football (soccer) is the big sport in Egypt and I also enjoyed playing volleyball. But to be able to do this, to come here three years ago, try skiing and like it – no, love it – is a dream come true.” On this February day, the weather in the 5.2...
A winning culture is fundamental to a nation’s success in all high-performance sport. The combination of ideas, beliefs, core values and codes of conduct help make up that culture and it’s a view that Nordiq Canada has not only embraced, but encouraged. With its coaches and athletes on board, it is hoped the objective of striving to be the best according to the tenets set out by the organization will be achieved and ultimately rewarded. “The culture came from Own...
