The Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club’s Jackrabbits and Bunnies strapped on their skis and skated to Quesnel Feb. 16 for the Hallis Elementary Ski Tournament.
It was the 31st annual race involving six schools from Williams Lake, Quesnel and Prince George.
Around 70 competitors attended for a day of fun, competitive cross country skiing.
Young skiers aged four to 12 competed in four organized events: classic race, mad dash heat sprint race (free technique), relay race (teams of two boys and two girls) and the double cross.
There was also a parade of athletes around the stadium where teams were able to showcase their team spirit and carry their banner.
Points were awarded to the top three finishers in each category along with overall team spirit, participation, and points for each school and out of town team.
Williams Lake brought up a team of 15 skiers ages five to 11, along with four coaches for the ski meet.
“We ended up taking home the trophy for best out of town team earning 116 points in total along with 14 medals in the four events,” said Rob Sutton, youth development co-ordinator and head coach of the Williams Lake Bunny and Jackrabbit program.
In the classic race, Williams lake skiers glided to four gold medals and two silver medals. In the mad dash race the lakecity club picked up three gold medals and two silver medals. In the double cross race Williams Lake won two gold medals and one silver medal. In addition, the WLCCSC had two teams entered in the relay race, earning a fourth-place finish.
“It was a lot of fun for both the skiers and the spectators cheering them on,” Sutton said. “We have been bringing a team to Quesnel from Williams Lake for the past several years.”
Sutton added cross country skiing is a great winter sport the entire family can enjoy.
Lessons for kids (Jackrabbits) take place up at Bull Mountain Ski Area just north of Williams Lake for kids aged four to 12 between December and March twice a week. This season the WLCCSC had 35 kids participating in the Bunny/Jackrabbit ski program.
For more information about the Bunny and Jackrabbit program or, if you are interested in joining next season, contact Sutton at skijackrabbit@gmail.com.
General club info can be seen on the WLCCSC’s new website, along with registration forms at www.bullmountain.ca.