January 31- February 13, 2022.

Great racing team in Red Deer this past weekend!! Super proud of you guys and thank you for videos and photos of those who stayed in GP and skied (or played) up a storm. I'll figure out how to post the video on the blog when I get back. 😜

Just a reminder that this is a two-week blog as I will be away. If you need to tell the coaches that you’re away, please send out a TeamSnap. As always, there are complications with planning ahead by a few weeks, so please always check the weather, regardless of what the blog says and check TeamSnap for any last-minute updates. Thanks everyone!

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Don't Forget:

• Register for the Duathlon- I'm not sure when the deadline is: register here
• Register for Ft. Mac AB Cup 7 & 8- Feb 19 & 20^th. Registration closes Feb 15th. The race notice is not up as of Jan 30. I will try to post the link here, but check on the nordiqalberta.ca as you're able and then send a team snap out please to let everyone know when registration is open. 

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Tuesday February 1: Temps are dropping this week. Juniors, practice may be cancelled, but check Environment Canada at 4pm. With the ice, I think we should stick to skate for this practice, allowing the groomers time to “fix” the disaster that occurred last week. 

 

Thursday February 3: Seniors- bring your headlamps, water bottles and skate skis. Juniors you will be classic skiing. Or I hope so, but again, if the trails are bad, then you will be skate skiing

 

Saturday February 5: ATHLETES MUST WEAR THEIR WAPITI COATS FOR THIS PRACTICE!

 

Seniors you will be split up between the jackrabbit programs and help with coaching each of the teams. Each year we try our hand at coaching others, and you realize that your coaches make it look easy, but it actually isn’t.  You will be showing your group technique suggestions and assisting the group leader with whatever they ask of you. This is NOT a gab session with your fellow athlete members, but a help out and show the younger kids how much fun skiing actually is. Remember, these athletes see you guys as THE superstars of Cross Country skiing and they’re not far from the truth. So be kind, polite and nice to the kids to show that not only you can be COOL, but you are open to hearing them and being with them. This is how we grow our future athletes and our sport. 

·      Coaches Shannon and Theresa will split you up into partner groups and Coach Daniel will send you out to your respective Jackrabbits group from there.

·      Come ready to do either Skate OR Classic. It will depend on the group that you’re with

·      You MUST wear you Wapiti Nordic Race team jacket so that they can differentiate you from their leaders. 

·      If you’re being asked to demonstrate- remember how we do it at practice. Talk a little bit about it, show them how not to do it, show them how to do it and then ask them what they noticed was different. Get them then to practice. And focus on FUN!

 

Juniors you will be split into two groups- 1 group with Coach Doris and 1 group with Coach Caribou. From there, you will join and participate two Jackrabbit groups that have kids around your age. Your job is to show off your fancy technique, how fast you can ski and to encourage the group to have fun. You MUST listen to the Jackrabbit leader but talk with the other kids in the group- remember, they think you are SO cool and are a bit afraid to say anything to you. Have fun being awesome!!  Be prepared for both techniques- but I’m guessing classic.

·      You MUST wear you Wapiti Nordic Race team jacket or buff and headband, so that they can differentiate you and see that you’re extra cool. 

 

Tuesday February 8: Classic I hope? But come prepared for both techniques. Coaches will update you as they know what the conditions are like. Come with headlamps- this is a LSD ski. See how many km’s you can go during practice. No one skis alone! Seniors, please tell the coaches which direction you are skiing in, who you are skiing with and what your plan is BEFORE heading out. Juniors, coaches will work on some technique with you and then you too will go for a group ski- maybe come with some suggestions of your favourite place to ski. 

 

Thursday February 10: Maybe classic technique?? Bring a headlamp for this workout please. 

 

Saturday February 12: Duathlon Race. There will be no practice, as this event will replace practice, for the team to participate in. Supporting the ski club AND snowshoeing is always a plus. Registration will be in advance on Zone4. Please double check the WapitiNordic.com website for registration details.

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info from the website:

Winter Duathlon - Ski & Snowshoe Event

• Fun format for all abilities
• Sat, Feb 12th @1:00pm
• Classic or skate technique
• Distance options: 5km ski + 5km snowshoe = 10km total OR 3km ski & 3km snowshoe = 6km total
• Enter as a team ($20/person) or solo ($30)