Page 22 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 110

22 Issue #110 March 2022 www.sportsenergynews.com

Coaching and Cross-Country Skiing with Ronena Wolach

a coach, Wolach provided technical and
By Victoria Klassen
moral support to the athletes, as well as
tested and waxed their skis.
onena Wolach recently had the
Ropportunity to travel to Europe to “The experience was fantastic—I
coach cross-country skiing. went for the opportunity to learn what
coaching looks like at the international
Wolach began skiing when she was and European level, and to test a possible
five and moved her way through the coaching mentorship with the Alberta
Nordiq Canada programs. She raced at provincial coach, Ivan Babikov, who led
the national level from 2007-2011 with this trip. I learned an incredible amount
Foothills Nordic Ski Club and Rocky and can’t wait for my next opportunity
Mountain Racers. She started coaching to coach at this level,” said Wolach.
in 2010, mostly with Foothills Nordic
Ski Club in Calgary. She said along with co-coach and
lead wax technician, Claire Richter,
The Nordiq Alberta team travelled they were the only women in charge of
to Planica, Slovenia from Feb. 2-8 to ski waxing at the OPA Cup. Ski waxing,
race at the OPA Cup, a high-level race which is vital for cross-country skiing,
circuit in Europe, and then to Klosters, is still very much dominated by men
Switzerland from the Feb. 8-13 to race at this level. Wolach said one day their
at the Swiss Cup. team had faster skis than Austria and the
two of them quickly earned the respect
The team was made up of 10 cross-
country ski athletes from Alberta who of all the other wax technicians.
all qualified to be on the trip through “It was also amazing getting to ski in
their results from this season’s races. As so many beautiful places where cross-
Photos Submitted
Warner’s Insurance presents country skiing is a big part of everyday At the racing level, it is so fun to feel a
Member of the Month lifestyles—you could ski right from part of this larger global community, and
the hotel in Switzerland, and everyone to come together to celebrate the hard
D ALE PUR VIS would be out skiing on lunch breaks work and time the athletes and coaches
DALE PURVIS
from work. We would love to bring this put into the sport,” said Wolach.
Home and Career: Dale and her husband, Ron, presently sort of enjoyment to Canada one day,” When conditions are good, Wolach
live in Iroquois. They have also lived and worked in Ottawa, Wolach shared. likes to get out skiing five days a
Merrickville, Banff, and Calgary. Dale worked in the Federal Wolach said cross-country skiing can week. She coaches on Sundays with
Government and at General Dynamics Canada in the Supply be magical—gliding through the trees, the Summerstown club. She enjoys
and Services department. In her role as Senior Procurement
Officer, she managed contracts for goods and services and listening to the birds and the sound of exploring the ungroomed South
contracts for military applications. your skis, with the sun warming your Dundas Conservation Areas and the
Volunteering and Interests: Dale’s interests have always face and shining onto the snow and Summerstown Forest Trails for groomed
revolved around sports. She has volunteered with the Ski making it sparkle. skiing.
Patrol, taught downhill skiing and Tai Chi, and she was the “It is an excellent full-body workout “Anyone can ski, and you’ll only
Director of Membership at the Nepean Sailing Club where she
and Ron sailed for many years. Dale discovered OSGA District 8 when she competed in that you can do at basically any age and know if you love it once you try it!
the golf tournament at Upper Canada Golf Course last summer. She has been enjoying is low impact so has low risk of injury. There is a wide range of Nordic skiing,
our Seniors Carpet Bowling in Brinston this year. Continued page 22 – See to right from recreational to backcountry skiing,
Continued from OSGA to racing and biathlon, so you can really
Home • Auto • Business • Farm Insurance Activities during COVID-19: During the find what you love about the sport,”

summer months, Dale was occupied with said Wolach. “Don’t feel like you have
golf and kayaking on the St. Lawrence River. to stay on groomed trails, lots of fun
She enjoys lots of walks in her new Iroquois can be had making your own trails,
neighbourhood. She is an avid reader and even in your own local park. The more
likes cooking hearty meals and soups from
Local scratch. people that are skiing, the more support
there will be for trail development and
www.warnerbrokers.ca Service For more OSGA District 8 information including skiing as part of our culture.
our
District
Coordinator
contact
at
Online
Who wouldn’t want to ski to a log cabin
district8.osga55plus,ca or follow us on in the woods for an apple strudel and hot
613-932-7210 • info@warnerbrokers.ca Quotes lvickers1262@gmail.com or visit https://
Facebook. chocolate like they do in Europe?”