A strong team of Yukon skiers will be competing at the 2009 Haywood Ski Nationals, which kick off this weekend in Duntroon, Ontario.

The Yukon ski community will be represented by Janelle Greer, Heidi Brook, Dahria Beatty, Kendra Murray, Logan Potter, Jeff Wood, Lee Hawking, Knute Johnsgaard, Colin and Michael Abbott, and Fabian Brook, who were chosen based on their strong race results in selection races held earlier in the season.

They will be joined by veteran Graham Nishikawa and David Greer, both recently returned from a tough European race tour.

The team will be led by head coach Alain Masson, assisted by coaches Amanda Deuling, Nick Stratis and Jonathon Kerr.

The Yukon has traditionally done well at the national championships.

Last year the group, who all ski under the auspices of the Whitehorse Cross Country Club, finished fourth among all Canadian clubs.

A huge contingent of more than 500 athletes is expected to compete at this year's event, which includes a series of five separate races spread over the upcoming week.

The first race in the series, a team sprint, will be held on Sunday.

Story provided by Claude Chabot, spokesman for Cross Country Yukon.