XC BRAGG CREEK SKI AND BIKE SOCIETY
Over the past month XC Bragg Creek athletes took part in several big race weekends; two Alberta Cups, the annual Fruit Loops Race, and the Western Canadian Ski Championships.
Alberta Cup 4 and 5, hosted in Calgary by the Foothills Nordic Ski Club, was the first event of January that XCBC took by storm! This was a challenging race with minimal snow and narrow winding trials that our athletes would compete with. Our athletes worked hard, and navigated the icy slopes and rolling hills with a high level of proficiency, claiming two podium medals over the weekend and half-a-dozen top 10 finishes.
After a short rest XCBC took off to Grande Prairie for AB Cup 6 and 7. Organized by the Wapiti Nordic Ski Club, this race continued the themes of narrow trails and sharp downhill corners that were introduced in Calgary. Joining forces with Foothills Nordic and Canmore Nordic, XCBC athletes continued to push themselves on the race course bringing home four separate podium finishes and memories with new friends.
On January 24th, over 40 Bunnies and Jackrabbits took part in the annual Fruit Loops Cross Country Ski Race! Ranging in age from 4 to 12, these kids raced around the course, each doing as many loops as they could in an exciting and friendly competition. The event emphasized fun, fitness, and friendly competition, with everyone giving their best effort. At the finish line, the winners were rewarded with a sweet treat—Fruit Loops—celebrating their hard work and determination. It was a day full of smiles, laughter, and great skiing!
The Western Canadian Ski Championships, hosted in Kimberley, BC, was the next event for XCBC athletes. This is the first year that XCBC has attended a Western Championship, a significant opportunity for our Club Racers, granting them the chance to race alongside Western Canada’s best Nordic Skiers. XCBC athletes fought hard though three challenging days of racing, pushing through heavy snowfall, countless sprint heats and screaming downhills, coming out with a number of top 30 finishes!
We are incredibly proud of all the athletes that raced this past month, not just for the great results and podiums, but for the hours of hard work and dedication that each athlete put into their training before stepping out onto the race course.
Athlete Spotlights from Coach Josh:
This month I would like to introduce 2 athletes to highlight, both share a high level of dedication to skiing, consistently showing up to practices with an eager mentality to learn and improve, always asking questions, I would like to introduce Owen Kary and Avery Balbinada!
One of XCBC’s up and coming U16 boys Owen is more than just a skier, he takes pride in his photography as well as competing in Ski-mo. Throughout the season Owen has worked hard to improve his technique and fundamental ski skills, work that has developed into multiple podiums during January’s AB Cups. Always available to help a team mate, or to tell a good joke, I am stoked to have Owen as part of the XCBC crew.
Avery B, XCBC’s sole U18 boy is an accomplished skier, having competed not only in Alberta and BC but across the globe during the Youth Olympics. This season Avery continues to push himself at each AB Cup and loppet he attends, attacking each race with a high level of technical proficiency and strategic knowledge. During training Avery shows consistent focus for each task he takes on, never settling for his current best. Outside of the ski world Avery has been accepted into the University of Calgary for a degree in Political Science, an accomplishment that everyone at XCBC is excited about!
As a coach I am consistently amazed at all the great athletes I am fortunate to have within XCBC. Each one makes up an important part of the team fabric, and I am proud to share that fabric with Avery and Owen.
