CANMORE, ALBERTA – Only weeks away from the 2024 COOP FIS Cross Country World Cup in Canmore, Alberta, FIS has approved the 1.3 km sprint course and 5.0 km distance loops at the Canmore Nordic Centre – and now is your chance to ski them.
Following an unseasonably warm start to the season, and a cold snap that temporarily hindered snow making efforts, the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park staff worked tirelessly to prepare an incredibly fast and technical course. The courses received FIS approval and are locked in for competition.
Now, you can test your ski speed on the world cup courses, thanks to a partnership between Trail Sports and the Alberta World Cup Society. Recreational skiers can choose the 5 km loop challenge on Strava: “Trail Sports World Cup Challenge”, for a chance to win prizes. After your effort watch the best nordic ski athletes in the world tackle the same feat, Feb 9-13 at the Canmore Nordic Centre. To enter, VISIT: WEB LINK.
Beginning from the Canmore Nordic Centre stadium, the courses will challenge the athlete’s technical abilities. Home to six World Cups since 2005, the courses are often considered among the best on the World Cup circuit. The snow, preparation and the course layouts are a big part of the reason for a record World Cup team turnout for 2024, with 18 countries participating.
The Canmore event will host two sprint races – one classic and one freestyle discipline – on the 1.3 km course. A 10 km interval freestyle race will take place on the 5.0 km loop and the 20 km classic mass start race will take place on the 3.3km course.
The Canmore sprint course is a favourite for Canadian racers. Many local athletes have had the best World Cup races of their careers on the lightning-fast Rocky Mountain trails. Ski legends such as Beckie Scott, Sara Renner, Chandra Crawford, Alex Harvey, Devon Kershaw and Ivan Babikov have bested the world on these rails.
Retired Olympic cross-country skier and Amazing Race Canada contestant Jess Cockney was the second fastest skier in the world when Canmore hosted the world cup skate sprint in 2012. He’ll be on hand to watch the next generation of skiers challenge the course, provide a few pointers.
“I always treated the Canmore sprint course like it had two finish lines. Race to the top of the course as fast as you can. There’s such a long break after that, you can get a good rest on the downhill, and have a good effort for the actual finish line. Keep the speed through the final downhill, and have the crowd carry you home,” Cockney said.
Event organizers have also released the official merchandise for the 2024 COOP FIS Cross Country World Cup in Canmore. Spectators can show their support by purchasing official merchandise at Trail Sports or online, to be picked up during the event.
“The designs look fantastic, and are an incredible way for the ski community to show their support for the Canmore World Cup. Merchandise will be available at the race, along with a suite of vendors in the 2024 Nordic Market at the Canmore Nordic Centre,” said Alberta World Cup Organizing Committee Chair Greg Thompson.”
For media requests, contact:
Justin Brisbane – media manager, 2024 COOP FIS CROSS COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP – Canmore
jbrisbane@albertaworldcup.com
More on the Alberta World Cup Society:
The Alberta World Cup Society continues to promote its mandate of developing and growing cross-country skiing in Alberta and Canada through hosting World Cup races and by providing resources for the development of officials, coaches and athletes. All these activities are accomplished with the involvement of tireless volunteers who dedicate their time in different capacities to make this possible.
Note to Editors: High-resolution images and additional information about the COOP FIS Cross-Country World CUP are available upon request.