by Cross Country Nova Scotia, January 7, 2023 (updated Mar 1)
Cross Country Nova Scotia is pleased to announce athletes and support staff who will represent Nova Scotia at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, in Prince Edward Island. Cross-country ski events will be held at the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park in Brookvale, scheduled for February 28th – March 4th. Please visit our document centre, for more information on selection criteria. Follow along with our team as we report results on our CWG webpage.
Congratulations to our skiers, who carry on the tradition of competing at the Canada Winter Games, which have been held every four years, since 1967. During this time, 120 skiers have represented Nova Scotia on 14 CWG teams.
Our 15th edition of the CWG cross-country ski team is being led by experienced support staff – who have competed, coached, and supported Nova Scotia athletes for a combined total of 15 Summer and Winter Games. Daniel Murray (head coach), Lilla Roy (assistant/para-nordic coach), and Kris Doyon (wax technician), also competed on the same 1999 CWG team.
We acknowledge our dedicated ski team alumni, who are paying it forward, to develop the next generation of technically skilled skiers and challenging athletes to pursue excellence both on and off the race course. We are Nova Scotia proud, already.
Para-Nordic Female
Emma Archibald
Female
Fiona McClure
Grace McIntyre
Paige Neklia
Male
Lynden Doyon
Jack MacMillan
Cohen Norman
Milo Sircom-Brown
Support Staff
Daniel Murray – Head Coach
Lilla Roy – Assistant/Para-Nordic Coach
Tara McIntyre – Manager
Kris Doyon – Wax technician
Media:
The Laker News, “Fall River skiers named to Cross Country Canada Games squad“
CBC Mainstreet, “Emma Archibald, 2023 CWG Competitor“
The Signal, “How N.S.’s Cross-Country Ski Team is Preparing for the Canada Winter Games with No Snow“
The Laker News, “Local athletes excited to get 2023 Canada Games starts“
CBC TV News Nova Scotia, “One Nova Scotia Athlete will compete in two sports at the Canada Winter Games”
Global TV Halifax, “N.S. Para Nordic skier Emma Archibald gearing up for Canada Winter Games:
Saltwire, “Canada Winter Games: Nova Scotia’s Emma Archibald wins cross-country skiing gold to kick off week two“
Saltwire, “Sircom-Brown and Nova Scotia ski team ready for Canada Games despite lack of snow for training”
Saltwire, “Canada Winter Games: Emma Archibald completes medal hat trick“
The Laker News, “GOLDEN: Archibald claims Nova Scotia’s third gold at Canada Games“
Saltwire Truro, “Colchester County’s Lilla Roy back at a Games for the seventh time“
Backgrounds – Athletes:
Emma Archibald
Hometown – Fall River, N.S. University of Ottawa full-time student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. uOttawa Gee-Gees Nordiq Ski Team athlete (2021-22, 2022-23), Assistant Team Captain (2022-23). National Para-Nordic Prospects Team athlete (2022-23). Nova Scotia Ski Team athlete (2020-23). Emma’s home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
Looking forward to most at Games: “Super excited to be back racing with Team NS”.
Emma’s Nova Scotia Ski Team experience: “Very welcoming, encouraging, and fun training environment.”
Fiona McClure
Hometown – Halifax, N.S. Carleton University Varsity Nordic Ski Team athlete (2021-22, 2022-23). Nova Scotia Ski Team athlete. 2019 CWG Cross-Country Ski Team athlete. Fiona’s home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
Grace McIntyre
Hometown – Fall River, N.S. uOttawa Gee-Gees Nordiq Ski Team (2022-23). Nova Scotia Ski Team athlete. 2019 CWG Cross-Country Ski Team. Grace’s home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
Paige Neklia
Hometown – Prospect Bay, N.S. Student at Halifax West High School. Nova Scotia Ski Team athlete (2021-23). Additional sports and highlights: Nova Scotia Biathlon Team athlete (2019-23); competing at 2023 Games in Biathlon. Neklia is the only dual sport athlete from Nova Scotia, at the Games! Paige’s home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
All-time skiing highlight: “2022 Candy Cane Cup was definitely my biggest race and highlight so far, it was awesome getting to travel with the team, and get a whole new racing experience because there were so many people. It was also great getting to watch some of the best in the East compete and learn from them.”
Looking forward to most at Games: “Getting to watch and compete alongside some of the best of my age group in the country and getting to meet other people who do cross-country skiing. Also to be in such a big event and to have that experience for future races.”
Lynden Doyon
Hometown – Hammonds Plains, N.S. Nova Scotia Ski Team athlete (2019-23). Lynden’s home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
Jack MacMillan
Hometown – Fall River, N.S. Nova Scotia Ski Team athlete (2020-23). Jack’s home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
Cohen Norman
Hometown – Halifax, N.S. Student at Citadel High School, grade 11. Nova Scotia Ski Team athlete (2017-23). Additional sports and highlights: 2022 CSG Triathlon Team; XC, Road and Track running with Citadel High and Halifax RoadHammers; Citadel High Rookie of the Year for XC and Track Team, 4th place at provincials 3000m in 9:48. Cohen’s home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
Post-secondary goals: “I don’t know exactly what I will take at university but I know that competing with a University Ski team will be a part of that experience.”
Favourite racing experience: “Winning 3 medals at the 2019 Eastern Championships as a U14 and getting to wear my Nova Scotian gear up on the podium.”
Most looking forward to at the Games: “I am super excited to be competing at the games with the people I’ve grown up with, raced with, had many laughs with and trained with for my whole life. I think that everyone has been working really hard at their training and preparation for these games and it will definitely show come race day.”
Cohen’s NS Ski Team experience: “The ski team is like family to me, nothing but positive experiences through it. I’ve found my best friends, biggest rivals and great teammates through the team. The lessons I’ve learned on and off the snow have really shaped me as a skier and as a person.”
Favourite cross-country skiing experience: “Our annual post Christmas trip up to Charlo for some big skiing Kilometers and good times has a special place in my heart.”
Milo Sircom-Brown
Hometown – Wolfville, N.S. Student at Horton High School. Nova Scotia Provincial Ski Team athlete (2017-23). Additional sports and highlights: cross-country running, set the provincial high school record in fall 2022 (scored 24 points). Milo’s home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
Cross-country skiing career race highlights: “2022 Nationals in Whistler and the 2022 Candy Cane Cup at Nakkertok”.
Looking forward to most at Games: “Seeing Nova Scotian athletes compete together as a team. And seeing what amazing things we can achieve.”
Milo’s NS Ski Team experience: “A truly wonderful crew of the most amazing people. Lots and lots of good times all year round!”
Favourite skiing memory: “Our annual Baddeck training camp. Every year there are fun activities and good quality training with Dan present.”
Background – Support Staff:
Daniel Murray, Head Coach
Hometown – Baddeck, N.S. CWG Cross-Country Ski Team head coach (2011, 2015 & 2019). CWG Cross-Country Ski Team athlete (1995 & 1999). Nova Scotia Ski Team head coach (2008-present). Daniel’s home club is North Highlands Nordic.
“I look forward to returning to Brookvale for national calibre competition. The race trails there flow like a rollercoaster and which makes for a dynamic race experience where that keeps racers on their toes and their feet always on the gas. In addition, with Brookvale comes many nostalgic memories, for it was there that I had my first taste of national level competition in 1993 at the Canadian Junior National Championships. Nostalgia can be a power force, for part of my coaching ‘mission’ to foster the space and spirit in the team that I experienced 30 years ago. This time around, we have yet another fine crew of athletes representing the Nova Scotian ski community. They have been very driven to succeed despite our not-so-wintery circumstances here in Nova Scotia and with some solid early season results, I feel that our athletes, at the least will be in the mix at the CWG. More importantly, here’s to some good performances and memories that fuel their nostalgia for the sport.”
Lilla Roy, Assistant Cocah/Para-Nordic
CWG Cross-Country Ski Team athlete (1999, 2003 & 2007). CSG cycling athlete (2005). CWG wax technician (2015). CWG assistant coach (2019). Nova Scotia Ski Team assistant coach. Lilla grew up skiing as a member of Arctic Fox Cross-Country Ski Club.
Kris Doyon, Wax technician
CWG Cross-Country Ski Team athlete (1995 & 1999). CWG Cross-Country Ski Team manager (2007). Kris grew up skiing as a member of North Highlands Nordic, currently a member of Scotia XC Ski Club.
Tara McIntyre, Manager
CWG Cross-Country Ski Team manager (2019). Nova Scotia Ski Team manager (2017-present). Tara is employed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Her home club is Scotia XC Ski Club.
“I’m a Cape Bretoner currently residing in Fall River. Mother to Grace, 2 x CWG skier. As a child I would break trail in the woods around my home in Cape Breton, but didn’t try cross-country skiing again until about 10 years ago when I decided to sign up for a beginner adult skate ski lesson while Grace participated in her cross-country ski lessons. Eric had long before found a love for skiing. Not long after I started to ski, we convinced Jonah (at that time age 5, now age 13 and member of the NS development cross-country ski team) to take a break from hockey and join us on the ski trails – and he hasn’t looked back! Cross-country skiing is a sport for the entire family and we’ve made many close friends within the cross-country ski family within Nova Scotia and across Canada.”
Photos
Thank-you to ski team parents for providing photos of athletes taken during the 2023 CWG time trials. Photo for Emma Archibald by Robert Smith, 2023 Candy Cane Cup. Photographed top (l-r): Fiona McClure, Grace McIntyre, Milo Sircom-Brown, and Lynden Doyon. Photographed bottom (l-r): Emma Archibald, Paige Neklia, Cohen Norman, and Jack MacMillan.
Links:
>https://thelaker.ca/golden-archibald-claims-nova-scotias-third-gold-at-canada-games/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>2023 Games Results | CCNS web
>2023 CWG Cross-Country Ski Event Schedule
Cross Country Nova Scotia 