Cross-Country World Cup in Canmore

With the Olympics just around the corner, this weekend’s (Feb. 5-7) 2010 Viessmann FIS Cross-Country World Cup will attract a who’s who of cross-country skiing to the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Twenty-seven countries comprised of 400-plus athletes, coaches and wax technicians (not to mention an estimated 250 media representatives) will embark on Canmore for the final international event prior to the Games.

According to Alberta World Cup Organizing Committee Chair Al Maddox, this World Cup installment, not surprisingly, has a much different air to it when compared to previous ones held in Canmore due to the Olympics following so closely.

“There is definitely more tension and larger expectations,” said Maddox. “And as organizers we have to step up because of those expectations.”

However, he adds, this year’s World Cup event is much more than skiers competing for gold at the Nordic Centre.

A Canmore World Cup Community Celebration 2010 event, organized by a partnership of community groups, will feature opening and closing ceremonies, a Rotary House fundraiser where skiers will complete loops to raise funds, Jackrabbit races, Kid ‘n’ Mutt races, a pancake breakfast, and Chandra Crawford’s Fast and Female program, among other activities.

As part of the downtown celebrations, two blocks of Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic due to having a whopping 80 truckloads of snow dumped between Marra’s Way and The Wood restaurant to create a downtown ski track. Other highlights include medal award ceremonies being held in front of the Canmore Civic Centre at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and an Olympic send-off parade and rally, Sunday at noon.

“It’s all about impressing the International Ski Federation,” said Maddox. “And as an organizing committee we have been very impressed with the Town of Canmore and the Business Revitalization Zone’s efforts to step up the atmosphere.

“When a decision needs to be made between two locations for future world-class events, we want to make sure we’re as high as possible on that ladder, and

I think this year’s event will do just that.”

2006 Olympic skate-sprint gold medalist Chandra Crawford, who also captured gold in the skate-sprint at the 2008 World Cup stop in Canmore, is ecstatic her hometown will once again welcome the world’s best.

“I’m just as excited for the World Cup as I am for the Olympics,” said Crawford. “I love racing at home… there is nothing like it. It will be an amazing confidence booster to have everyone behind the Canadian team before heading to the Olympics.”

Though all World Cup races are free to spectators, there will be no public parking at the Canmore Nordic Centre; however, a free shuttle provided by Tourism Canmore-Kananaskis is available.

The World Cup event is expected to have a $1.5 million economic impact on the town.

2010 Viessmann FIS World Cup race schedule:

Friday, Feb. 5

10:30 a.m. – Ladies 10-kilometre free technique

12:15 p.m. – Men’s 15-kilometre free technique

Saturday, Feb. 6

10 a.m. – Ladies & Men’s classic sprint qualifying

12:15 p.m. – Ladies & Men’s classic sprint finals