Masters XC Racing in Ontario Posted on Jan 19th, 2007
The Ontario Masters cross country ski championships will be held this year from March 9 to 11, in North Bay. If you are 30 years or older, I encourage you to consider becoming involved in masters racing. Racing challenges your skiing, promotes a greater level of fitness and adds an exciting dimension to the sport. The motivation to train also leads a healthier lifestyle. Belonging to the Canadian Masters is a great way to make new friends and acquaintances in the cross-country ski community. Importantly, it will give you a better understanding of skiers who race, should one ever end up in your lesson!
The term Masters was coined back in 1980 to replace terms like “old boys/girls”, “veterans” and “antiques” for racing categories. Masters refers to the “mastery” of the skill of skiing. The Masters races are for skiers 30 years and older as of Jan 1, 2007. The race categories are in 5-year sections. MM1 is the abbreviation of Master men’s one section and is for 30 to 34 years olds, and MW1 is the female section. MM2 is from 35 to 39 etc.
We have a number of CANSI instructors here in Ontario who run masters groups. Paul Jorgensen (level III) of started an adult ski group last year at his ski club, Arrowhead Nordic. Of the 20 participants, around a dozen participated in events that included the Sounder loppet in Parry Sound, the North Bay and Muskoka loppets, and the Canadian Ski Marathon. Some of them are parents of children in the club’s jackrabbit program. Last year Arrowhead won club of the year for Southern Ontario, and Paul thinks that was at least partly due to their adult programming.
Reijo Peltoniemi (level IV XC, level I Telemark) runs a masters group in Thunder Bay together with former national-level racer, Werner Schwar. The Lappe Nordic Masters group comprises 15-20 skiers who come out once a week to the one-hour weekday evening sessions. These are directed at providing people technique instruction and race strategy, including how to ski different terrain. Like Paul’s group, some are parents of jackrabbits, but there is a broad age-range. Just about everyone does at least one event in the season, such as the Sibley Ski Tour, the Kamview Ski Tour, or one of the many races that are held practically every weekend in the region.
Paul and Reijo are examples of how CANSI instructors fill an important need in the cross-country ski community by offering instruction and programming to adults.
The tentative schedule for the Ontario Masters races in North Bay is as follows:
• Friday afternoon: 10k classic, followed by wine & cheese social
• Saturday: 10k freestyle, followed by pasta dinner and awards
• Sunday: 18k classic
In order to participate, you need to join Canadian Masters. For the $20 fee (which you can pay at your first race) you become a member of a great group of people who are also interested in challenging their skiing. It also makes you eligible to compete in Masters races provincially, nationally, and internationally (the 2008 World Masters Championships are on North American soil, in McCall Idaho). Members receive three newsletters throughout the year.
For more information on joining the Canadian Masters, or the Ontario Masters Races (March 9-11), visit www.northbaynordic.ca, or contact Tom Cook at (705) 476-0648 or tomcook@ontera.net.
Steve Gentles (Ontario XC technical representative; level III XC, level I Telemark)
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