A Kimberley Nordic Club skier has been chosen not only to represent BC at the Canada Winter Games, but also to represent Canada in Kazahkstan at World Under-23 Championships.
That skier is Colin Ferrie from Kimberley.
From Feb. 1-8, Ferrie will be in the Eastern European country of Kazahkstan.
Ferrie was in Collingwood, Ontario, this past weekend, where he'd just competed in the U-23 Trials.
On Jan. 8, Ferrie competed in the 30 km skiathlon (15 km classic followed by a 15 km skate) and came in fifth overall, but second in the U-23 standing.
"That was a mass start so I stuck with the pack most of the way, and people were eventually dropping off, but I stuck with the leaders for most of it and finished fifth in the open category," he said.
In terms of the Classic Sprint, Ferrie did just the qualifying round, and not the heats, to save his energy for the 15 km skate. In the skate on Sunday, Ferrie was again second in the U-23 category.
"That qualified me for a spot on the Under-23 Canadian Team to go Worlds in Kazahkstan," Ferrie said.
On Tuesday he was on his way back across the country in preparation for a competition in Canmore this weekend. Shortly after that he will fly out for the competition in Kazahkstan, which takes place Feb. 1-8.
He said he is looking forward to it.
"It will be really interesting to see how I compare against the world's best under-23 skiers," he said. "It will be my first time racing overseas."
He added one of his teammates trained in Europe. "So hopefully I can pick up some advice from him."
Later in February he is headed to the Canada Winter Games in Prince George. There he will be joined by Kimberley Nordic Club teammate Molly Miller. It will be Miller's first Games and Ferrie said she has the potential to go to two more down the road.
"It's phenomenal," he said.
Ferrie wanted to thank the Kimberley Nordic Club, as well as the Black Jack Nordic Club in Rossland as well.
Colin trains in Rossland. Two of his Black Jack teammates, David Palmer and Julien Locke were also selected to Team BC. All three are in their second year racing in the Open Men's category which pits them against against Olympians and members of Canada's National team.