Update on the 2021-2022 Domestic Calendar

As Nordiq Canada, along with our Divisional partners, prepare for a safe return to domestic racing coming out of the pandemic, we recognize teams are eagerly planning their 2021-2022 seasons. We wanted to take this opportunity to provide the community with an update on the status of our domestic competitiion calendar in an effort to help teams plan, with the understanding that all schedules are still subject to change as the pandemic continues to run its course.

The pause in our race schedule over the past year provided a natural opportunity to review Canada’s domestic racing program. With input from Divisions, several coaches across the country and committees, including the new Domestic Development Committee, Nordiq Canada did a thorough evaluation of the domestic race strategy. The result from what we heard is to shift to more regional racing.

Starting with the 2021-2022 season, a new Canada Cup Series will largely replace the NorAm model. There will be two FIS-sanctioned events and a FIS-sanctioned Championships in each of the east and the west. Divisions are working together to schedule these events. In an effort to support development along the athlete pathway, we are also excited to share that Series rankings will be used for trip selections to US mid-season Super Tours and US Jr Nationals March 7-13, 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also forced us to consider selections without the results we would normally have from the previous season. Recognizing athletes’ personal needs including, but not limited to: exam schedules; travel and costs, along with environmental factors such as snow safety; have helped guide these decisions following consultation with IST and coaches in this Olympic and Paralympic Games year, to stage the following events:

Please note: in this unprecedented season with many circumstances beyond our control, we will not have the east-west balance we always strive for.

Nordiq Thunder will take place in Canmore AB at the end of the Frozen Thunder training camp and various team camps in November. These will be used as evaluation races to determine the two remaining NST spots (anticipated 1 U23 female and 1 Junior female) and remaining AAP (D) carding spots. This is likely to be a FIS Cup with only an open category and without age groups. If athletes anticipate being eligible, it is strongly recommended they attend. The number of available carding spots and selection criteria are not yet available.

2023 Nordic Junior/U23 World Ski Championships and Olympic Games Trials will take place in Canmore AB from January 6-9. This schedule accommodates a return from Period 1 racing in Europe and considers factors such as possible quarantine periods, altitude and recovery. This will likely be a FIS Continental Cup. Because FIS has not yet confirmed the dates for the Nordic Junior/U23 World Ski Championships, the JR/U23 trials may need to change.

Canadian Cross-Country Ski Championships and US Super Tour Final in Whistler BC from March 20-27 will close the season and begin the countdown to hosting the 2023 Nordic Junior/U23 World Ski Championships on Canada’s West Coast.