Competitors line up to begin racing at Otway Nordic Ski Centre yesterday

Prince George, B.C. – It was a great day for racers and recreational cross country skiers alike at the Otway Nordic Ski Centre yesterday – with blue sky, sunshine, and perfect conditions.

The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club was hosting the BC Winter Game Trials and the season’s first Invitational Chocolate race.  While the Winter Game Trials were for the serious competitors, the chocolate race is a fun, recreational event open to young and old.

The club recently announced that one of their own has been selected to attend the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Austria later this month – Sarah Beaudry is one of four Biathletes chosen as part of Team Canada’s 54-member contingent to attend the first-ever YWO in Innsbruck, Austria from January 13th to the 22nd.

Beaudry is coming off an amazing year in 2011 – winning gold and two bronze medals at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax.  She was also the top Canadian female at the 2011 World Youth Championships, emerging from a pack of 73 athletes to finish 33rd in the 10k individual race in the Czech Republic.

PacificSport Northern BC is hosting a community send-off for Beaudry this Wednesday morning at the Coast Inn of the North at 11:30am.  Local MLAs Shirley Bond and Pat Bell will be on-hand, as will 2015 Winter Games CEO Stuart Ballantyne to wish Beaudry the best of luck.  There will be a banner for city residents to sign in preparation for Beaudry’s ‘cheering section’ – her parents will be attending the Games.

PacificSport North is hosting a send-off for Beaudry