NORTH BAY --
Almost 150 racers between the ages of 5-12 have been giving it their all this weekend at the 2nd Annual Laurentian Ski Classic.
The event has seen an increase in its numbers from last year, with participants from across the region traveling to compete.
Duncan Cornthwaite is the President of the North Bay Ski Club.
"We had about a hundred and thirty athletes last year, this year we have close to a hundred and fifty athletes so people really enjoy coming out, especially the young athletes, it’s an opportunity to take what they learned in training and bring it out to an actual race," said Cornthwaite.
Cornwaite says with different races each day, the 'Classic' gives kids an opportunity to race, even if they haven’t before.
"This weekend we run two different races, we ran a slalom yesterday and then today we’re running a G.S. so it’s a much wider course and a little faster for the athletes,” he adds, “A lot of which, this could be their first race."
People travel from all over Northern Ontario for this event, coming from Sault Ste. Marie, Elliot Lake, Sudbury and of course North Bay to attend.
Maggie Hendrie, who traveled from Sault Ste. Marie, likes competing, but also enjoys the vacation part of her ski trips.
"It was really fun. Like even after we’re done skiing we go back to the hotel, go swimming, play games, fool around, just have fun in the halls and at the hotel. It’s really fun when we go away," said Hendrie.
Cornwaite says there has been a surge of young skiers in the area, as the sport becomes more popular with children, every year.
