XC BRAGG CREEK SKI AND BIKE SOCIETY
XC Bragg Creek athletes have fully transitioned to the winter season and are working hard on their Nordic skills. The Club Racers and Nordic Ninjas are training on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings on the West Bragg Creek Trails. XCBC’s youngest athletes, the Bunnies and Jackrabbits, are skiing on Friday afternoons.
The Nordic race season has begun for our competitive athletes. The Nordiq Cup held in Sovereign Lake, BC saw some fast paced racing, with XCBC’s own Ian Thomson and Avery Thompson qualifying in the sprint heats! The following weekend, at the Alberta Cup season opener at the Canmore Nordic Center, XCBC athletes claimed 7 top 20 finishes. Special congratulations for this race go to Reid Bopp who won Bronze in the 1.5km U12 classic race, and Evelyn Peperkorn and Emma Jackson who won their heat in the Team Sprint! Congratulations to all of XCBC’s athletes who gave their very best efforts and showed incredible sportsmanship at both races.
XC Bragg Creek will host the The Alberta Youth Championships, from February 20 – March 2, 2025 at the West Bragg Creek Trails. This is a championship event for Nordic skiers aged 11-14. The event brings together over 100 skiers and coaches from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and The Northwest Territories. Racers compete for club banners in three events featuring skate and classic skiing. Alberta Youth Championships is open to any youth skier who is a member of a Nordiq Canada-ecognized club. Stay posted for our annual call for baking to support this event. We are also looking for Food Tent, and Volunteer Coordinators. If you are able to help in either role please email Melissa Thompson at director1@xcbraggcreek.ca
For more information on events, or to access registration links, check out the XCBC website: www.xcbraggcreek.ca
See you on the trails!
Spotlight on XCBC Athletes
XCBC is proud of all of our young athletes for their skill, determination, perseverance, and most importantly, their citizenship. This month, Coach Josh recognizes Avery Thompson for her commitment to XC Bragg Creek.
Avery Thompson:
XCBC Sport: Nordic Skiing
Favourite West Bragg Creek Trail: Moose Loop
Words from Coach Josh:
“This month I would like to take the time to highlight Avery Thompson. Always full of energy and an infectious, “go-get-em” attitude, Avery’s dedication to training and her team spirit has been an amazing part of our XCBC family.
A role model, Avery is consistently encouraging our younger athletes as well as her peers. She is a favourite junior coach to our younger skiers in the Jackrabbits program and inspires and encourages many young athletes. Likewise, her positive energy encourages her team mates. At our most recent time trial, Avery was there cheering each of her teammates on as they crossed the finish line, never leaving anyone out.
I am proud to call Avery Thompson an XC Bragg Creek Athlete.”
