Haywood Ski Nationals begin Sunday in Whitehorse

Whitehorse is hosting the top cross country skiers from across the country for the Haywood Ski Nationals that begin this Sunday.

Whitehorse is hosting the top cross country skiers from across the country for the Haywood Ski Nationals that begin this Sunday.

Already world-class athletes have been arriving in town for the event, with the first race scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Over 400 athletes are expected to be in the city for the races. Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club official Claude Chabot said this is the biggest event to ever be held on the club’s trails.

“We’ve hit our target, that’s really good,” Chabot said. “(It’s a) big deal for us.”

Olympic athletes including gold medallist Shandra Crawford will be attending. Crawford will be giving a speech to an audience of sponsors and athlete’s families at a reception on Monday evening.

“Having an Olympic medalist here is a really big deal for us,” Chabot said.

Already the ski stadium at Mt. McIntyre is beginning to be transformed for the event , with tents and structures being erected earlier this week.

“It’s starting to look pretty festive,” Chabot said. “It looks like the circus has come to town.”

Today athletes began familiarizing themselves with the Whitehorse ski trails ahead of the races.

“The ski club is a hive of activity,” Chabot said Wednesday afternoon from the ski club’s wax room. “You can kind of feel the tension and anxiety up here.”

Whitehorse’s many participating skiers have a bit of a step up over the competition, as they know the twists and turns of the courses that will be used throughout the week.

“There’s always a home field advantage,” Chabot said.

Visiting athletes will be practicing until Sunday at Mt. McIntyre. Chabot said that many choose to ski in the mid-morning because races often start at that time.

Chabot, who recently returned from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics where he was a timing official, said he is expecting good things from the Whitehorse contingent.

“We’re looking forward to great stuff from our local game,” he said.

The world-class athletes are mingling with Whitehorse’s up-and-comers, and Chabot said it is a great opportunity for younger skiers to be in the company of their idols.

“It’s going to be a really inspirational thing,” Chabot said. “I’m hoping it’s going to inspire not just the current, but the next generation of racers.”

Right now, Chabot said the weather is holding steady.

“The weather looks like it’s cooperating,” he said.

The Haywood Ski Nationals will get right down to business Sunday after a quick 15-minute opening ceremony set to start at 9:45 a.m., with the first race following at 10 a.m.