A lack of snow locally did not prohibit members of the Walden Nordic Race Team from kicking off their 2023-2024 season as a handful of athletes made their way to Nakkertok Nordic in Gatineau (Québec) earlier this month.

Leading the charge for the locals was Kaeden Ward, the first year university student who finished second in the U20 sprints on Day 1 of the competition. Lauren Pineau also cracked the top ten, placing 8th in the Classic Mid Distance race after sliding in at 15th on the first day event.

Callum Wiss was ninth in the U18 qualifying Sprint Heats, placing 11th on day one and 27th in the U20 Mid Distance bracket while Russell Joiner also qualified for his first set of U18 Sprint Heats.

Others Walden skiers taking part included Finlay Cuza and Maija Nener, with several of the above expected to be in action when the local\ club hosts an Ontario Cup weekend of February 24th and 25th in Naughton.