Paddy Pallin Juniors 2018
Challenging conditions greeted twenty-eight enthusiastic skiers for the Paddy Pallin Junior event at the Perisher Nordic Shelter on Saturday 30 June 2018. Icy temperatures and blowing snow did little to dampen the spirit of competitors and their supporters who braved the elements to participate.
Participants ranged in age from four to fourteen years, with skiers competing over varying distances from 100 metres to 1.4 kilometres with varying laps of the sprint loop on the cross country ski trails. As the one of the oldest ski races in Australia, the focus of the Paddy Pallin Juniors is to promote participation in cross country skiing and to foster an enjoyment of the sport and associated community. Camaraderie was high, as skiers supported each other in the trying conditions.
Post event, the participants and supporters enjoyed the traditional hotdog lunch, fruit drinks and fruit. Lunch was followed by the presentation of certificates by NSW XC Coaches Kayla and Jeremy, and the popular lucky bib draw that included fantastic prizes from Paddy Pallin. A team jelly snake hunt on skis around the cross country trails near the Nordic Shelter was a fitting end to an enjoyable day and was a great way to see in the start of the 2018 ski season.
The event would not happen without the support of a number of businesses and organisations. A special thank you to Paddy Pallin for their ongoing support of this event, the fabulous spot prizes, hotdogs, drinks and jelly snakes, Perisher Supermarket for generously providing the bread rolls, Wiffens Canberra for the great quality fruit, and Canberra Alpine Club and Snowy Mountains Nordic Club for providing support. Thank you also to Geraldine for accommodating the event at the Nordic Shelter and to the many helpers who assisted on the day.
