Nova Scotia’s cross country ski team for the upcoming 2011 Canada Winter Games has been chosen after a recent series of selection races held at Ski Martock, the site of the cross country skiing events at the Canada Winter Games.
The 8 member team is comprised of 6 women and 2 men, including Nova Scotia’s first Para-Nordic competitor at the Canada Winter Games. Daniel Murray, the Head Coach of Nova Scotia’s cross country ski team is excited for his athletes to be racing right here in Nova Scotia. Mr. Murray said that “The Canada Winter Games give our athletes a terrific opportunity to compete against the best cross country skiers in the country. To have the chance to race at home will make the experience even more special.”
The cross country skiing events will be held at Ski Martock during the 2nd week of the Games, from February 20-26, 2011.
Team members include:
Females:
Abby Lewis – age 19, from Milton. She skis for the Martock Nordic Ski Club. She was a member of the Nova Scotia team at the last Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse and has been on the provincial team since 2005.
Meggie Soehl – age 19, from Bedford. She skis for the Martock Nordic Ski Club. She was a member of the Nova Scotia team at the last Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse and has been on the provincial team since 2005. She also was a member of the NS Triathlon team at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in PEI.
Jennie Mae Roy – age 21, from Stewiacke. She skis for the Arctic Fox Ski Club. She was a member if the Nova Scotia team at the Whitehorse Canada Games and been on the provincial team since 2006.
Marie Soehl – age 17, from Bedford. She skis for the Martock Nordic Ski Club. She was the alternate for the Nova Scotia team at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse and has been a member of the provincial team since 2005.
Kilya MacNeil – age 15, from Cape North. She skis for the North Highlands Nordic Ski Club. She has been on the Provincial team since 2008 and this will be competing at her first Canada Winter Games.
Alternate: Mariah Hudec – age 18, from North Sydney. She skis for the North Highlands Nordic Ski Club. She has been on the Provincial team since 2008.
Nicole Durant – age 20, from Eastern Passage. She skis for the Arctic Fox Ski Club. Nicole will be representing Nova Scotia in the sit-ski division of the Para-Nordic category. This is the first Canada Winter Games to include Para Nordic athletes. Nicole also plays sledge hockey and wheelchair basketball.
Males:
Liam McInerney – age 18, from Dartmouth. He skis for the Martock Nordic Ski Club. Liam will be competing in his first Canada Winter Games.
Cole MacDonnell – age 16, from Belnan. He skis for the Martock Nordic Ski Club. Cole will be attending both weeks at the Canada Winter Games representing Nova Scotia in biathlon during the first week of the Games and cross country skiing in the 2nd week.
Team Coaches & Management:
Head Coach: Daniel Murray – He represents the North Highlands Nordic Ski Club. Daniel is from Cape North, the home of the 1987 Canada Games. He competed as a member of the N.S. cross country ski team from 1992 until 2009 when he became Canada Games head coach. He was a member of Team Nova Scotia at the 1995 and 1999 Canada Winter Games.
Assistant Coach: Kjerstin Baldwin – She represents the Martock Nordic Ski Club. Kjerstin is originally from Manitoba but now calls Bedford home. She raced for Manitoba in the 1983 Canada Winter Games and has coached provincial teams in Alberta and Manitoba. She was also the Sport Psychologist for the Alberta team at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.
Para Nordic Coach: Sue Hill – She represents the Arctic Fox Ski Club. Sue is from Dartmouth. This is her 5th Canada Winter Games as a Coach and Manager for Nova Scotia’s cross country ski teams.
Manager: John Hudec – He represents the North Highlands Nordic Ski Club. John is from North Sydney and this will be his first Canada Winter Games.
Wax technician: Chris Algar – He represents the North Highlands Nordic Ski Club. Chris is from Cape North. He competed for Nova Scotia at the 1999 Canada Winter Games and has been on the Nova Scotia team since 1992.
