Big names in the world of ski cross are in North Bay this weekend
A major ski cross event is taking place in North Bay this weekend.
While the competition at Laurentian Ski Hill is for young skiers many members of the National Team and former Olympians are on hand.
About 70 youth athletes from across both Ontario and Quebec have made the trek to North Bay for the Live Like Miki Fundraiser.
"It's absolutely unbelievable this has never happened in northern Ontario, that I know of,” said coach Jason Sullivan.
“To have 10 World Cup athletes on a small hill, in North Bay, Ont. is pretty amazing. I'm just so ‘tickled pink’ that these guys are here, the athletes are in heaven."
Two of the A-list athletes have strong connections to the area – Olympic skiers Hannah and Jared Schmidt’s parents grew up in North Bay.
"We're here just to help out the younger athletes and watch them kind of grow threw out the weekend,” said Hannah.
“I think having the technical and that kind of background, hearing that from us is pretty cool for them and I think they really enjoy it."
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Jared told CTV News it was ‘cool’ to be here in the winter and see the ski hill city has to offer.
"Out west, it's pretty strong, the ski cross community – but to have this happening in the east, from where we're from, where my families from it's super special to see here,” said Jared.
The Schmidts say they are hoping that this event will inspire more young skiers to work towards bigger goals like the Olympics or the National Team.
"It's really cool to watch all these athletes rip down this track, ski down and progress even through the first few runs and make those changes and come at it with different approaches,” said Jared.
“It's really cool to see the younger and even the older athletes in the 15-16 age group, develop and ski faster."
The event will wrap up on Sunday.
For more information on the event, visit the Laurentian Ski Hill’s Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What about Kristen, Leslie's rights, asks lawyer for Bernardo victims after transfer
Paul Bernardo should be returned to a maximum-security prison, the lawyer representing the families of his young murder victims said as he called on the Correctional Service of Canada to be more transparent about what led to his transfer to a medium-security facility in the first place.

Prince Harry a no-show on first day of court showdown with British tabloid publisher
Prince Harry's phone hacking trial against the publisher of the Daily Mirror kicked off Monday without him present -- and the judge was not happy.
No survivors found after plane that flew over DC and led to fighter jet scramble crashes in Virginia
A wayward and unresponsive business plane that flew over the nation's capital Sunday afternoon caused the military to scramble a fighter jet before the plane crashed in Virginia, officials said. The fighter jet caused a loud sonic boom that was heard across the capital region.
U.S. beats Canada 6-1, nets World Para hockey gold
Special teams played a difference on Sunday night as the United States scored two short-handed goals en route to a 6-1 victory over Canada in the World Para Hockey Championship gold-medal game.
Increase in mosquitoes 'a trend' across Canada this year. Here's why
Mosquitoes have always been pesky, but this spring it seems the bloodsuckers are thirstier than ever, a trend one expert says is increasing.
What to know as Prince Harry prepares for court fight with British tabloid publisher
Prince Harry is set to testify in the first of his five pending legal cases largely centred around battles with British tabloids. Opening statements are scheduled Monday in his case.
Apple is expected to unveil a sleek, pricey headset. Is it the device VR has been looking for?
Apple appears poised to unveil a long-rumoured headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination.
Macron announces France is sending 100 firefighters to Quebec
France will be sending firefighters to aid Quebec as the province continues to battle massive forest fires, French President Emmanuel Macron announced.
Uncertainty remains for Halifax-area evacuees as wildfire 100 per cent contained
A wildfire that tore through homes and businesses in the Halifax area is 100 per cent contained, but a historic fire in southwestern Nova Scotia remains out of control.