Vernon secures ski event

Sovereign Lake Nordic Club has successfully won the bid to host the 2011 World Masters Cup, a prestigious Nordic event for cross-country racers over 30 years of age.

World Masters Cup delegates met with Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert and Councillor Jack Gilroy to tour the area and examine the renowned Nordic trails at Sovereign Lake and Silver Star.

Dieter Heckmann from Switzerland is the president of the World Masters Cross Country Ski Association. He has skied all over the world and was very impressed with the trails and facilities on the mountain and nearby Vernon.

"The accommodation at Silver Star is perfect for our event as everyone is within walking distance of the village center," says Heckmann.

The World Masters Cup will feature participants from more than 25 countries. To qualify, skiers must be 30 years of age or older, and some competitors are in their 80s.

The number of participants is huge – the recent 2008 World Masters Cup in McCall, ID, had over 1200 competitors from 23 different countries - with several thousand family members and friends also in attendance.

Bruce Cummings, chairman of Sovereign Lake, says the club is extremely pleased to be able to showcase the region's Nordic facilities to the world.

"We have world class trails connected to world class accommodations at Silver Star Mountain Resort and in Vernon," says Cummings.

"Our volunteers are keen, experienced and very capable of hosting this significant event. Skiers from around the globe will be impressed with everything we have to offer in the North Okanagan."

"It is very exciting to have the opportunity to host the Nordic World Masters Cup," says Glenn Bond, Nordic manager at Silver Star Mountain Resort.

"Both Silver Star and Sovereign Lake have successfully hosted FIS World Cups in 1991 and 2005. We have proven that we have not only the facilities and amenities, but a large team of skilled, willing and very capable volunteers whose efforts ultimately make these events successful."