PRESS RELEASE
BOZEMAN, MT – For the second year, Bozeman will be the site of the World Para Nordic Skiing NorAm & U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Sit Ski Nationals. Sit skiers from across the country as well as locally will compete for World Para Nordic Skiing international racing points, for national titles, and the field will include several athletes favored to medal at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
The Bridger Ski Foundation (BSF) will host two days of racing on Saturday and Sunday for the athletes right in town on the Sunset Hills trails, based out of Lindley Center. In addition, Crosscut Mountain Sports Center will host a biathlon race for the athletes on Friday.
Spectators are encouraged, and the athletes and coaches will also present a Sit Ski Demonstration for the public at noon on Saturday at Lindley Center.
Friday, January 5 at Crosscut
3:00 p.m. Biathlon sprint
Saturday, January 6 at Sunset Hills (Lindley Center)
10:00 a.m. Sprint Qualifications, followed by semis and finals
12:00 p.m. Sit Ski Demonstration & Clinic, open to the public.
Sunday, January 7 at Sunset Hills (Lindley Center)
10:00 a.m. Mid Distance Races
Bozeman is now the primary winter training facilities for the Paralympic Nordic Skiing program. Athletes from the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Ski Team, including World Champion Oksana Masters and 2010 Games medalist Andy Soule, have been living and training in Bozeman again this winter. Other “local” athletes include Aaron Pike, a member of the 2016 Rio Summer Games Team in wheelchair racing, and Kendal Gretsch, World Champion in triathlon who recently made the switch to Nordic skiing.
The National Team athletes will depart Bozeman for a World Cup competition in Oberried, Germany, on January 16 and then return to spend the majority of February training in Bozeman in preparation for the 2018 Games, which begin on March 9 in PyeongChang, South Korea.
A huge thanks to Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply for stepping up to be BSF’s local title sponsor of the Para Nordic Skiing NorAm event.
The event is sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). As a World Para Nordic Skiing NorAm event, athletes from any nation are invited to participate, and those with an international competition license can score important IPC points, which can be used to qualify for the Paralympic Winter Games.
Bridger Ski Foundation is a nonprofit ski club offering educational and competitive programs in Nordic, Freestyle, Freeskiing, and Alpine skiing. They also groom an incredible network of Community Nordic Trails in Bozeman. www.bridgerskifoundation.org
