Nadlersmith is organizing the Manitoba Provincial Cross Country Championship from February 10-12, 2017 at the Garden along the Canada-US border. A member of the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba, she said the organization was losing racecourses for their different ski events and there was a need to develop new ones. A good bet was right in the family back yard.
“We use the Peace Garden more than anyone,” Nadlersmith said. “For years, we have rollerbladed at the Peace Garden, we have always walked on the paths there. We need new racecourses, and we want to encourage more organized skiing. They have the conservatory, the dormitories. They have the infrastructure that is perfect.”
There are the trails at Lake Adam, but Nadlersmith said because it is a Provincial park, they cannot be closed for a race. She is hoping having them nearby at the Peace Garden will also promote the Adam trails, however.
The family has been grooming two trails on the Canadian side of the Garden. One is 5 km and one 2.5km. The different races are different lengths so they do loops on the two trails. Nadlersmith said there would be many categories including classics, skate ski and races for kids. Masters, juniors, various ages and distances are all part of the racing.
She is hoping the term “provincials” does not intimidate anyone. The races are open to all competitors.
“We say they are provincial championships, but there are citizen races. Maybe someone hasn’t raced before or is a recreational skier. We would encourage anyone to race. We have racers in their 70’s. They are all ages.”
Usually a club organizes events of this nature. There is no club in the area, so the Nadlersmith family are on their own. She said she has been across Canada with son Levi taking in various events and is familiar enough to get things together. But she is happy they are getting volunteer help from other clubs in the province. They have been grooming the trails with their homemade equipment, but the club in Morden will be letting them use their machinery for the actual race days.
Nadlersmith said they are hoping to have between 200-250 people for the event. Most can stay at the dormitories at the Peace Garden, with the Sawmill cooking up the meals.
“We are encouraging that community atmosphere there,” she stated.
One person who will likely be missing is son Levi, the local ski star. The competition is at the same time he should be leaving for a Cross Country Canada tour of Europe, which has stops in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Although they will likely not have the provincials back at the Garden next year, as they move them around, Nadlersmith is hoping to be able to have more racing events there. She, like many, feel the area has “untapped potential” that it is time to unlock.
“I am totally excited. It is like jumping into the deep end of things. It is something I have thought about doing for years. There will likely be a whole lot of people from Winnipeg, Kenora; we’ve invited people from Flin Flon. It has potential to bring in Americans. I would like to have events on the trails again. It is such a perfect place.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff