FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2007

Father Mouchet to be Honoured at Canada Games Cross-Country Sprints

-          Leader in Northern Development to Ski Ceremonial Lap -

WHITEHORSE, Yukon  -  Father Mouchet will be recognized for his contribution to the sport of cross-country skiing at the 2007 Canada Winter Games sprint races on Tuesday, March 6.  There will be a brief tribute at 1:30 pm in the Mt. McIntyre ski stadium.   Following the presentation, Father Mouchet will ski the 600 metre loop to officially open the sprints.   

Father Mouchet is well known to Northerners for his dedication to the sport of cross-country skiing.  The Oblate priest came to northern Canada in 1946, from his hometown of Malbuisson, France.  He was initially posted to Telegraph Creek, BC and then to Old Crow, Inuvik, Whitehorse and Ross River. 

In 1955, while living in Inuvik, Father Mouchet founded the Territorial Experimental Ski Training (TEST) program.  The program soon grew and expanded to other northern communities.  Many young First Nations athletes participated in the program, with impressive results.  Martha Benjamin from Old Crow won the Canadian Championships in 1963.  Sharon and Shirley Firth from Inuvik competed in four consecutive Winter Olympic Games.  Father Mouchet not only taught skiing, he taught youth in Northern Canada the value of challenging themselves and the benefits of determination in order to reach their potential. 

Father Mouchet’s contribution to sport has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally.  He was inducted into the Yukon Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and received the Yukon Commissioner’s Award in 1981.  The French Government awarded him the Chevalier de l’ordre National du Merite in 1987, and he received the Order of Canada in 1993. 

At the age of 89 years young, Father Mouchet still skis every day and is currently working to implement a fitness program in Iskut, B.C.

The sprints have emerged as cross-country skiing’s most spectator-friendly event.  The fast-paced action takes place entirely in the ski stadium.  Heats of 6 skiers take part in a knockout format with the top two finishers advancing to the next round.  Sport Chair Claude Chabot notes, “The sprints are going to be the most exciting spectator event of the games.”

Northwestel, presenting sponsor of Cross Country Skiing at the 2007 Canada Winter Games, will be distributing over 300 cowbells to spectators on Tuesday.  The ringing of cowbells, to encourage and congratulate skiers, is a long-standing tradition originating in the European Alps.  

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For more information contact:

What:  Recognition of Father Mouchet and Ceremonial Ski Lap prior to the beginning of Cross Country Ski Sprint Heats at Canada Winter Games to include Test Program participants and presentation of plaque

When:  Tuesday, March 6 @ 1:30 pm

Where:  Mt. McIntyre ski stadium  (adjacent to Canada Games Centre)

Schedule of Events:

11:30 am          Sprint Qualification Round

1:30 pm            Father Mouchet Tribute

2:00 pm            Sprint Heats

Background Information:

NWT athletes who were T.E.S.T. program skiers achieved the following notable Canada Winter Games results:  

 1967    Women                                     1.  J. Tourngeau

3.  Anita Allen

1971     Women - Indiv.                          1.Shirley Firth

                                                            2.Sharon Firth

                                                            3.Roseanne Allen

1971     Women - Relay Gold                 Shirley Firth, Sharon Firth, Roseanne Allen

1971     Men - Relay Bronze                   David Cook, Roger Allen, Fred Kelly

1975     Women – Indiv.                         1.Anita Pettersen (Allen)

1975     Women - Relay Bronze              Elizabeth Firth, Winnie Bullock