Hosting the 2016 Haywood Ski Nationals will continue a legacy of excellence at the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club.

“I think it will be fantastic for the next generation of skiers to see elite athletes competing on the Whitehorse trails – just to get inspired,” Cross Country Yukon head coach Alain Masson told the Star this week.

“I think it’s really important for local skiers to have a chance to compete at home in front of their family, friends and community. It puts them at a big advantage because they know the trail system, they don’t have to travel, and the conditions are easier for them. To be able to compete locally is always a bonus.”

While the Yukon Ski Team will still require athletes to make a time standard in order to compete, Masson expects more local skiers to take to the trails in 2016.

“I think last time (in 2010) we had in excess of 25 skiers who did one race,” he said.

While the Yukon usually travels to nationals with a team of 15, that number could double in 2016.

Masson is currently in Canmore, Alta., kicking off the new ski season with three up-and-coming Yukon skiers at Frozen Thunder.

Marcus Deuling, Caelan McLean and Annah Hanthorn have all spent the past week training on snow stored away from last winter.

“The national team organized a camp for national junior skiers,” Masson explained.

“They will race a fun race (today) but it’s truly to come here, work on technique for the first week on snow this year, and be exposed to the National Training Centre in Canmore.”

Temperatures were as high as 20 C on Monday, Masson said.

News of the Yukon capital winning the right to host the 2016 nationals has local skiers feeling thrilled.

“I’m really looking forward to competing in my hometown in front of friends and family,” said 2014 Olympian Emily Nishikawa.

“Whitehorse always puts on a good show and I’m sure the 2016 Haywood Ski Nationals will be no exception.”

Meanwhile, Nishikawa’s mother Joan Stanton will be reprising the role of event committee chair, just as she did in 2010.

Planning is already underway.

“We have a steering committee set up to oversee the details,” Stanton said. “Our current focus is on getting key people in place, booking facilities and recruiting sponsors.

“Once winter comes, we’ll be moving on to volunteer training and attending the 2015 Haywood event in Thunder Bay.”

The 2010 event held in Whitehorse was “massive,” said chief of competition Claude Chabot.

“It was a really big event for the town. It’s a nice time of year. It’s tourism shoulder season so the hotels do well,” he said.

“Hosting big events like this really helps the club’s performance long-term,” he added. “We expose a lot of kids to high-end racing and it helps build the program.”

The 89th edition of the national cross-country ski championships will begin March 17, 2016 in Whitehorse.