LAPPE, Ont. – Ruth Zavitz may or may not pursue competitive skiing more seriously in the future.
For now the 13-year-old is happy being one of the fastest in her age group – the boys included.
On Friday, Zavitz topped all competitors to take the under-14 category to open the Ontario Cup sprint races at Lappe Nordic, to open the three-day event with a victory.
“It felt pretty good. I started a bit slower, but worked my way up to the top with all the rounds,” the Grade 8 student said.
Zavitz, who was fifth overall in the 800-metre qualifying event, outdueled five-other skiers in the third and final heat race to capture the title, edging Thunder Bay’s Eric Jamsa for the overall title in her age category. Jamsa took the boys title
It wasn’t easy, she said.
“It’s pretty tough, but you just have to keep going and stay warm,” said an exhausted Zavitz, still panting after a fourth gruelling race of the day.
“I don’t know how it happened. I just pushed really hard at the beginning and just kept going.”
Zavitz, who skis for Lappe Nordic Ski Club, said she’s grateful to have a race of this calibre in her own backyard, a chance to measure herself against a high-level of competition from across the province.
“It’s just really important,” she said. “I’ve been working up for this since the fall.”
Big Thunder Nordic coach Adam Kates, who also guides the Lakehead Thunderwolves men’s and women’s teams, said that’s what the Ontario Cup is all about.
Kates said it’s a great chances for young skiers to get a taste of high-level competition, some for the first time.
“We have athletes who are on the varsity team and older and we have kids all the way down to nine or 10 years old racing for our program, being a part of our program with aspirations of being racers,” Kates said.
“It’s a really good developmental tool for those young athletes to see what it’s like to be around this kind of environment and you really see them develop and foster a level of the sport through that.”
At the same time, not all skiers are looking to take their racing to the next level, but still like the thrill of competition.
The Ontario Cup has that covered too, Kates said, joking for those athletes, his main goal on Friday was getting them to the start line on time.
“It’s a lot of fun. There are some nerves, there are some questions. They’re excited, so basically it’s just being there and supporting them and making it a fun experience,” Kates said.
Jamsa, who topped the podium in the under-14 boys category, said it was a tough day of competition, but well worth it.
“Today’s race, it was amazing. To have a race this big, an event this big, at Lappe, it means a lot,” Jamsa said.
Willem Van Duyen and Hezekiah Hoeepner took second and third, respectively, in the under-14 boys category, while Sarah Kiiskila earned silver and Maaritta Puiras bronze in the girls competition.
Alannah MacLean took top honours in the senior women’s race, while Anna Stewart was first in the under 20 category. Imogen Nadlersmith earned gold in the under 18 race, while Carley Kiiskila topped the under 16 girls.
Alexander Maycock was the senior men’s champion, while Nicholas Randall won the under 20 race. Max Mahaffy topped the under 18 boys and Theodore Ochrym took the under 16 crown.
