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Canada's cross-country skiing competition for the Olympics has been moved from Prince George, British Columbia to Vernon, British Columbia due to unfavorable snow conditions.
The trials that will determine Canada's team for the February Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, will keep the same dates, Dec. 13-17, but will be held at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Center rather than the Caledonia Nordic Ski Center.
Current snow conditions in Prince George do not guarantee the quality of trails required for Olympic qualifying events, Nordiq Canada said in a statement Saturday.
Due to the lack of flexibility in the competition schedule, as well as the amount of natural snow that had accumulated on Sovereign Lake, the testing location was changed.
“This decision was extremely difficult and we are deeply grateful to the Caledonia Ski Club and the Prince George community for everything they have put into preparing for this event,” Nordiq Canada CEO Becky Scott said in a statement.
“Their dedication, professionalism and passion reflect why Prince George is recognized as a world-class Scandinavian destination. Unfortunately, the weather is the one factor that none of us can control.
“Sovereign Lake has a rich history of hosting high-quality competition and we are confident it will provide the environment our athletes need as they compete for spots on the 2026 Olympic team.”
The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will take place on February 6. The ski competition begins the next day and runs until February 22, the day of the closing ceremony.
Canada has won two gold medals and one silver in Olympic cross-country skiing.
Scott, who won gold in 2002 after competitors ahead of her were disqualified for doping, she also won silver in the team sprint with Sarah Renner in 2006. Chandra Crawford won gold in the women's sprint in 2006.
