February 10, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following is being distributed at the request of the Newfoundland Labrador High School Athletic Federation:

Provincial High School Cross Country Skiing Set

Newfoundland's strange weather this winter has played havoc with the high school athletic federation's cross country skiing championships. The competition slated for this coming weekend was originally being hosted by Smallwood Collegiate in Gambo, but because of lack of snow in this area the championships are now slated for the Whaleback Nordic Ski Park in Stephenville.

The lack of snow has had an effect on the participation as well with no skiers from the east coast of the province participating. Skiers representing the St. Barbe-Labrador and western regions will be competing for the championship banner in four divisions - senior male, senior female, junior male and junior female. Individual and relay races will be held with the top teams from each event taking home the prestigious high school athletic federation banner. The individual races will be classic style and will be run over the following distances: junior girls - 2.5 km, junior boys and senior girls - five km and senior boys 7.5 km. The relay race will be run in the freestyle and will be one km for all divisions except junior girls, which will be .5 km.

The schools participating in the championships include: Stephenville High, Herdman Collegiate (Corner Brook), G. C. Rowe Junior High (Corner Brook), Presentation Junior High (Corner Brook), Regina High (Corner Brook), Smallwood Academy (Gambo), Assumption High (Stephenville Crossing), St. Augustine's High (Plum Point), and Stephenville Middle School.

Keyin College and School Milk Foundation/Dairy Farmers Association of Newfoundland are the sponsors of all high school athletic federation events.

Media contact: Karen Richard, (709) 729-2795.

Convenor: Graham Oliver, (709) 646-2822 (School), (709) 646-5263 (Fax).

1999 02 10 4:05 p.m.