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Up the mountain from Vernon in the B.C. Interior, last-minute preparations were underway Friday for the national cross-country skiing Olympic trials.
Just 10 days before the races were set to begin, a lack of snow forced the trials to be moved from Prince George to the backup location of Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.
Marcus Boyle, the volunteer and event co-ordinator at the club, said “everyone banded together” as they prepared the mountain for the trials starting on Sunday.
“The event this weekend [is] for the benefit of the athletes, to make it the best possible thing for them to achieve their Olympic dreams,” said Boyle.
Marcus Boyle is organizing the Olympic trials at Sovereign Lake Nordic Ski Club, after they were moved from Prince George due to a lack of snow. (Jacqueline Gelineau/CBC)
He said the Sovereign Lake Club is disappointed for the team at Prince George’s Caledonia Nordic Ski Centre, knowing how much work had gone into the preparations there.
But he said Sovereign Lake was motivated to take over, with over 100 Olympic hopefuls set to ski in the trials to represent Team Canada.
Boyle said the season has already been incredibly busy for Sovereign Lake’s team of volunteers — having hosted several high-profile cross-country and biathalon events over the last few weeks.
But when the call went out after the venue swap, Boyle says every volunteer position was filled within a day.
“I’ve never seen such great enthusiasm out of our volunteers,” the co-ordinator said.
WATCH | Hundreds descend on Vernon for Olympic trials:
Change of venue sees hundreds of skiers racing in Vernon, B.C., for Olympic dream
Hundreds of skiers will be racing for a spot on Team Canada starting this Sunday. There are four spots for men, and six for women, to compete at the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy. As the CBC’s Jacqueline Gelineau reports, the host site was changed at the last minute to a location in B.C.’s Interior.
Boyle and the team of volunteers have been working day and night to get trails ready for the national competition.
While Prince George was lacking enough snow to host the trials, Silverstar Mountain — where the Sovereign Lake trails are located — has been getting heaps.
Marcus Boyle speaking with Mike Bell, a Sovereign Lake Nordic club volunteer who will be checking ski wax at the Olympic trials. (Jacqueline Gelineau/CBC)
“With this much snow, it’s great, but it also makes grooming a bit of a challenge,” said Boyle.
He said the wet snow is great for making snowmen, but not ideal for racing or grooming, as it is sticky.
Crews have been firing up the groomers at 1 a.m. daily to ensure the racecourse is ready.
Athletes prepare
The Olympic trials begin on Sunday, Dec. 14, and wrap up on Dec. 16.
More than 100 athletes are competing for a total of 10 spots on Canada’s cross-country team at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics – four spots for men, and six for women.
Team Yukon coach Jen MacKeigan said she has prepared her athletes to stay calm in the face of uncertainty, like last-minute venue changes.
“We always tell them: worry about what’s in your control, and don’t worry about what’s not in your control,” the coach told CBC News while waxing an athlete’s skis.
Jen MacKeigan is the Team Yukon ski coach. (Jacqueline Gelineau/CBC)
While the swap from Prince George to Sovereign Lake may seem jarring, Vernon-based skier Taschi Klaschka said the vast majority of the competing athletes have spent time on Sovereign Lake’s trails.
“Everyone grew up here for early snow camps. No matter where you’re from in Canada, you … come to Sovereign Lake,” said Klaschka.
He said his home club often hosts early-season competitions, since they are at high elevation and get reliable early-season snowfall.
Klaschka said over the years, he has seen the volunteers at the Sovereign Lake Nordic club step up time and time again to support the skiing community — from elite racers to beginners.
Taschi Klaschka, a Sovereign Lake Nordic Club athlete, will be competing for a spot on Canada’s Olympic cross-country team. (Jacqueline Gelineau/CBC)
“We wouldn’t be able to host if we didn’t have such a good community here, so that’s one thing I’m grateful for,” the athlete said.
Klaschka said he also feels grateful to be able to sleep in his own bed before trying to make his first Olympic team.