Extremely cold weather and national level competition greeted the University of Toronto Varsity Blues Nordic ski team this past weekend (Jan. 30-31) at the second OUA qualifying race of the season.

The Blues had the opportunity to prove their perseverance at the Nakkertok Nordic Club in Ottawa with distances as long as 30km for the senior men’s category and 15km for the senior women. The second OUA qualifying race was held in combination with the Haywood Eastern Canadian championships and the North America Cup.

“It’s an amazing experience to be able to compete with such high calibre athletes” explained Blues men’s captain Aaron Barter.

Erin Mallinger of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. was the top performer for the Blues women’s team, placing 20th in Saturday’s 5km skate and 8th in the junior women’s 10km classic on Sunday.

In men’s action on Saturday, Patrick Monette (Oakville, Ont.) finished an impressive 10th place in the 10km skate, while Aaron Barter (Almonte, Ont.) finished 17th.

In the long distance races on Sunday, Monette finished seventh in the 15km classic in the junior category, while Barter finished ninth in the senior men’s 30km classic.

Full Results

The Blues are set for the OUA championships on Saturday, February 20 at the Mono Nordic Club in Orangeville, Ont.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.