Ontario Cup cross-country skiers gather in Greater Sudbury
There was a huge turnout on the Walden Cross Country ski trails in Greater Sudbury Community of Naughton Saturday morning as the facility played host to an Ontario Cup race.
Racers from Thunder Bay to southern Ontario descended on the course, about 300 in total.The crowd Saturday morning as the Ontario Cup was underway at Walden Cross Country in Greater Sudbury. (Supplied)Organizers said an event like this has been a long time coming. They tried in 2018, but it rained. In 2019 was frigid, but the conditions this year were perfect.
"We've got a different group. We've got about 60 university students, which is unusual, and one of the clubs brought 35 young racers so we've got a lot of young racers, university students and a wide variety," said Mary Waddell, the chief of race.
Officials said this is one of the first big races post the pandemic shutdown. By all accounts, the cross-country community is a tight-knit group.
"Yeah, it's been really good, the course is super busy,” said Will Bleecker, who made his way from Hamilton to compete in the U20 race.
“Definitely there have been 20 of us in the one spot, but the atmosphere is really cool, seeing some friends I haven't seen in a few years that go to different schools."
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
A recent blast from Mother Nature has been helping the competition. Skiers from Sudbury, just under 90 minutes down the highway told CTV News they do not have snow like this at home.
"I think it's great," said Fern Doherty-Harrison of Parry Sound.
"This is my first O-Cup, I'm super excited for the team and I think it's going to be great."
"I like the trails here. They're pretty nice. I think it's a lot different than North Bay," said U14 skier Harrison Rees.
Officials said it's a long weekend of racing, but the team sportsmanship makes for a ton of great memories.
"It was great, these trails or so fun, so fun," said Ruth Zavitz, a U18 skier from Thunder Bay.
"I'm excited, it's a very hilly course but it's going to be fun," said U16 skier from Ottawa Roman Custic.
Racers here can accrue points that they can use for travel, not only across Canada but around the world.
The competition continues until the end of Sunday.
For more information on the race, visit Walden Cross Country’s Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.