Nova Scotia Racers Compete – 2023 Candy Cane Cup

by Cross Country Nova Scotia, Staff, December 14, 2023 (updated Dec 17)

GATINEAU, Q.C. – Nova Scotia racers are testing their metal against top-ranked skiers, at the Eastern Canada FIS Cup / Candy Cane Cup, being held at the Nakkertok Nordic Ski Centre, on December 15-17, 2023. Our provincial team athletes are keen to get back on the racing circuit, competing alongside over 610 racers across 50 clubs from Eastern Canada and beyond; under direction of head coach, Daniel Murray.

Nova Scotia provincial team athletes set to race include: Emma Archibald, SR W P/N, uOttawa Nordiq, Nordiq Canada Development Team; Milo Sircom-Brown, U20 M, uOttawa Nordiq; Lynden Doyon, U18 B; Ewan Miner, U18 B; Paige Neklia, U18 G; and Cohen Norman, U18 B. SCOTIA XC Ski Club is the home club for all six of these racers.

Keep your eye out for provincial team alumni competitors, including: Fiona McClure, Maggie McClure, Ogen Newcomb, and Colin Ward; all current members of Carleton Ravens Nordic Ski team.

Races are organized on three courses, which include: 1 km sprint course, 1.3 km sprint course and 2.5 km distance course; on the homologated “Nakkertrak” training and race loop, which is supported by artificial snowmaking. Known as the Candy Cane Cup, this racing event is part of the Nordiq Canada Eastern Canada Cup series, CCUNC, the Ontario Cup and the Quebec Cup.

Find the most accurate weather updates by checking AccuWeather for Cantley, QC. Course conditions and grooming will be communicated on the Nordic Pulse Nakkertok account and Nakkertok Trails X account.

Competition starts with sprints on Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Nakkertok Nordic Centre (South), 900 avenue Gatineau, Gatineau. Racing resumes on Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Go Nova Scotia!

Race Highlights:

· Emma Archibald, member of uOttawa Nordiq and Nordiq Canada Deveopment p/n teams, earned gold in sprint freestyle para-nordic standing, and gold in distance classic para-nordic standing;

· Milo Sircom-Brown (Wolfville), progressed to quarter-finals, securing 14th in U20 sprint freestyle. He finished 22nd in the distance classic event;

· Cohen Norman (Halifax) finished 20th in 2.5 km freestyle. Norman advanced to quarter finals in sprint freestyle, finishing 17th in qualifier. Norman ranked 23rd in distance classic race;

· Fiona McClure, Carleton University racer and NS Ski Team alumni, earned 13th place in the open women’s classic distance event (32nd in open/U18);

· Maggie McClure, Carleton University racer and NS Ski Team alumni, progressed to finals and secured fifth place in the open women’s sprint, freestyle. McClure finished 6th in freestyle distance. A strong classic distance race for McClure, she placed 2nd in senior category, (4th in Open/U18);

· Ogen Newcomb, Carleton University racer and NS Ski Team alumni, finished 21st in senior men’s 4.6 km freestyle. He finished 20th in distance classic;

· Colin Ward, Carleton University racer and NS Ski Team alumni, finished 13th in senior men’s 4.6 km freestyle. Ward earned 14th place in distance classic event.

Coach Quotes:

“Lots of good energy on site today, and lots of people ready to race. The 2.5k prologue on Friday is especially drawing attention since it is not a normal race distance and many athletes are not certain about pacing, since it’s too short for a distance race yet too long for a sprint. The only certainty is how hard it will be on the lungs and muscles. The tracks here are in exceptional condition, and fortunately there should be enough to last through the warming temps of the weekend.” … Daniel Murray, Head Coach, NS Cross-Country Ski Team

Race Results:

FIS Eastern Canada Cup / CCUNC – Fri, Dec 15: Sprint Qualifier – Free Technique

ATHLETE	UNIVERSITY TEAM	CATEGORY	DISTANCE	PLACE	TIME	DIFFERENTIAL	ROUND	FINAL RESULTS
Milo Sircom-Brown	uOttawa	U20-1 M	1.3 km	14/32	2:40.55	+13.61	Quarter- Finals	14/32

FIS Eastern Canada Cup – Fri, Dec 15: Interval Start – Free Technique

ATHLETE	CATEGORY	DISTANCE	PLACE	TIME
Lynden Doyon	U18 B	2.5 km	45/79	6:09.7
Ewan Miner	U18 B	2.5 km	64/79	6:37.6
Cohen Norman	U18 G	2.5 km	20/79	5:49.1
Paige Neklia	U18 G	2.5 km	48/51	8:57.4

Eastern Canada Cup / CCUNC – Sat, Dec 16: Interval Start Free Technique

ATHLETE	UNIVERSITY TEAM	CATEGORY	DISTANCE	PLACE	TIME
Milo Sircom-Brown	uOttawa	U20-1 M	4.6 km	24/33	11:28.3

Eastern Canada Cup / CCUNC – Sat, Dec 16: Sprint Qualifier – Free Technique

ATHLETE	UNIVERSITY TEAM	CATEGORY	DISTANCE	PLACE	TIME	DIFFERENTIAL	ROUND	FINAL RESULTS
Emma Archibald	uOttawa	SR F P/N	1 km	1/2	2:57.70		Finals	1/2
Lynden Doyon		U18 B	1 km	39/82	2:19.70	+16.08	Qualifier	39/82
Ewan Miner		U18 B	1 km	68/82	2:33.51	+29.89	Qualifier	68/82
Cohen Norman		U18 B	1 km	17/82	2:11.66	+8.04	Quarter-Finals	30/82
Paige Neklia		U18 G	1 km	47/54	3:04.86	+39.95	Qualifier	47/54

Eastern Canada Cup / CCUNC – Sat, Dec 16: Interval Start – Classic Technique

ATHLETE	UNIVERSITY TEAM	CATEGORY	DISTANCE	PLACE	TIME
Emma Archibald	uOttawa	SR F P/N	7.5 km	1/2	26:13.7
Milo Sircom-Brown	uOttawa	U20-1 M	10 km	22/32	28:46.9
Lynden Doyon		U18 M	10 km	62/82	32:01.2
Ewan Miner		U18 M	10 km	71/82	34:26.2
Cohen Norman		U18 F	10 km	23/82	28:30.3
Paige Neklia		U18 F	10 km	48/52	45:35.3