{"id":29082,"date":"2017-04-02T09:53:17","date_gmt":"2017-04-02T13:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=29082"},"modified":"2017-04-02T09:53:17","modified_gmt":"2017-04-02T13:53:17","slug":"arrowhead-nordic-racers-hard-work-pays-off-at-nationals-in-canmore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/arrowhead-nordic-racers-hard-work-pays-off-at-nationals-in-canmore\/","title":{"rendered":"Arrowhead Nordic racers’ hard work pays off at nationals in Canmore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three young members of the Arrowhead Nordic race team took their efforts all the way to the Ski Nationals – the Canadian Nordic championships held from March 18-25, 2017. Sophia Marshall (14), Fiona Shearing (14), and Graham Shearing (17) travelled to Alberta’s Canmore Nordic Centre, built for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, for five exciting days of racing including ski cross, classic and skate skiing, sprints and distance racing. Joining the three athletes was Trevor Kiers<\/a><\/span> (19), a local biathlete who raced in the skate races and in the ski cross relay.<\/p>\n

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These young team members competed against the best in Canada, including very strong provincial teams, national development team athletes, and national team athletes. Anthony Shearing (father of Fiona and Graham) shared his thoughts on the week: \u201cOur athletes raced hard and represented Arrowhead very well. For many races, the Arrowhead athletes finished in the top third in competitive fields of up to 120 of the fastest skiers in the country.\u201d The Arrowhead Nordic team points together had them place 49th out of 64 teams \u2013 way to represent team!<\/p>\n

The athletes have a set training schedule that enables them to improve their fitness and skiing in order to compete in such an event. The dedication to train year round – including weekly off-season training sessions, training camps and biweekly on-snow instruction – prepares these athletes mentally and physically.<\/p>\n

Sophia Marshall mentioned that one of the barriers to Ontario athletes heading to the mountains to compete in endurance events was the difference in altitude. To prepare herself, she arrived in the West a week earlier than the actual event to allow her body to acclimatize. Trevor Kiers has also been training hard since May at the Canmore Nordic centre with the Canadian Biathlon training centre.<\/p>\n

Both Fiona and Sophia were competing against girls that were two years older than them, with more training time and race experience, and who held positions on the provincial team. But these two girls competed hard and brought their skills to every race earning them results to be very proud of.<\/p>\n

Sophia Marshall finished in the top 39 per cent of the field which is incredible considering her age (YOB 2003). Overall, Sophia\u2019s standing placed her as the fourth girl for Ontario \u2013 very impressive, Sophia. We wish you luck in your continued training to reach your goal of obtaining a spot on the provincial team when you become of age.<\/p>\n

Fiona Shearing participated with the Juvenile Girls (YOB 2002) in the Interval start 5km Skate, Interval start 5km Classic, 1.1 Classic Sprint and in the 7.5km Mass start Skate race. Her Individual points earned her the number one spot for 2002 Females from Ontario and 20th overall. Well done, Fiona!<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth Fiona and Sophia had top Ontario results for their respective years, which highlights the depth of Nordic skiing in Canada,\u201d said Anthony Shearing.<\/p>\n\n\t\t