Highlands Nordic will host between 500 and 600 cross-country skiers hoping to qualify for international level competition.
Highlands Trailblazers, the home club of Highlands Nordic in Duntroon, is hosting the Haywood NorAm World Junior Trials and Under 23 Trials, in addition to an Ontario Cup competition, Jan. 7-11.
Winners will go on to compete at the world juniors in Almaty, Kazakhstan in February.
Owned and operated by the Sinclair family, Highlands Nordic has hosted high level competitions in the past including a North American Cup, multi-nationals and Ontario Cup events.
Kelly Sinclair said in order to be selected as the venue, the club has to bid and meet certain criteria related to trail conditions and elevation.
Having secured the world juniors for skiers age 20 and younger and under 23 trials, the club added the Ontario Cup. Juvenile and midget divisions are included.
“It’s a good chance for young athletes to see older, advanced athletes in action,” said Sinclair.
Skiers will compete in classic and skate skiing, classic sprint and skiathlon, when skiers begin with the classic technique and switch over to skate skiing.
There are nine local club members competing in the junior level, ages 16-17.
Sam Greer, also a member of the Trailblazers, is competing in the senior level. He has been training at the National Development Centre in Thunder Bay and is considered a contender at the qualifier.
There will be many opportunities for spectators to take in some high-level competition during the weekend beginning on Jan. 8 with the skiathlon running most of the day. On Saturday, Jan. 10, the sprint finals will take place in the afternoon and the whole competition is expected to wrap up around noon on Sunday, Jan. 11.
The club is looking for volunteers for the event and others held throughout the season.
Sinclair said there are many volunteer opportunities for people who do not have expertise or qualifications.
Highlands Nordic will also host the Yule Tide Blast on Dec. 20, one of the earliest Nordic ski races of the season.
To volunteer, e-mail trailblazers@highlandsnordic.ca or call 705-444-5017.
Larry Sinclair inducted to Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame
Highlands Nordic owner Larry Sinclair was recently inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame as a builder of sport, 10 years after his father Jim Sinclair received the same honour.
The growth of Nordic skiing and success of local athletes can be attributed to the Sinclair family, founders of the Highlands Trailblazers Cross Country Ski Club, which has trained hundreds of youths, including two-time Olympian Brittany Webster.
Larry Sinclair is a former competitive skier, coach and mentor.
He coached the Canadian Junior team in the 1980s travelling to Finland, Russia and Bulgaria for international competitions and was a support coach at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
Highlands Nordic has hosted Provincial Ontario Cup races, OFSSA Nordic championships and a National Championships in 2003 and 2009.
Sinclair was inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 25.
“Larry’s love of the winter outdoors is infectious to the ever-growing number of athletes coming to Highlands Nordic. Larry is universally respected across the sport and community,” said hall of fame officials.