This year the XC Ottawa women's team far outnumbers the men. It is great having such a motivated and diverse group of women to train, travel, compete and socialize with. With diverse outside interests and commitments such as graduate studies, med school, government work, freelance work and parenting this group is certainly unique. They also work hard and have fun doing it! Watch out for them on the trails this winter.
SHEILA KEALEY
What I do when I'm not skiing
Health promotion research & communications
Maintain website with evidence-based health, nutrition, & sports nutrition information
Cooking and baking . . . I love creating new recipes!
Volunteer xc ski coach at Nakkertok Nordic
Skiing highlights/accomplishments
Gatineau Loppet winner 2009 (skate) & 2010 (classic)
NorAm top 10's
Winner, Craftsbury 25k classic, 2016
2 World Masters xc ski championship medals
Favourite Ottawa-Gatineau Trail
Burma (trail #3) in Gatineau Park; Eastern Canadian Champs 5k course (Nakkertok)
Favourite Race
Eastern Canadian Championships at Nakkertok; Gatineau Loppet 50k classic or skate
Favourite Workout
Hill repeats - any hill really, but Gatineau Park’s Penguin hill or the climb from P12 are the longest and most scenic!
Racing Goals for this Season
Top 10 results at NorAM events
Top 3 at Gatineau Loppet
Top 10 in the American Birkibeiner
Personal Sponsors
Rossignol skis, boots, and bindings
Exel poles
Social Media
I write and share information about nutrition, health, and physical activity on:
Website: http://www.sheilakealey.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/skeila;
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheilakealey/
KYLA VANDERZWET
What I do when I'm not skiing
I'm currently at medical school at Western University in London, Ontario, so when I'm not training I'm usually in class or studying ...or napping! Netflix is another much-loved past-time, as is sharing a meal with family or friends.
Skiing highlights/accomplishments
Selected to the 2017 Canadian team for World University Games
Competed for Carleton University Ravens for gold at OUAs (North Bay) and silver at Nationals (T-Bay) in the CCUNC relay.
Favourite Ottawa-Gatineau Trail
I love skiing the Morall loop at Nakkertok when there's fresh snow.
Any kind of crust skiing (ex. off of Burma trail) is also awesome!
Favourite Race
Easterns are my favourite set of races because we're on the home trails, there's a fantastic atmosphere, and they give out great lunches :)
Favourite Workout
That's a tough one...probably a max aerobic speed workout!
Racing Goals for this Season
Maintain my fitness while in school and enjoy the racing experience!
Personal Sponsors
Exel Poles
Who inspires you?
Training partners are #1 for this, for sure. No one can make you go faster than that person who's just ahead of you!
JESSICA METUZALS
What I do when I'm not skiing
School (Master's in Environmental Studies at Queen's, specifically doing work at coffee shops)
Riding my bike
Eating delicious food
Getting speeding tickets in the Gatineau park (hopefully this past time is over)
Yoga
Skiing highlights/accomplishments
Top ten women in Gatineau Loppet 2015
Competed and coached Queen's University Gaels Nordic Ski Team
Favourite Ottawa-Gatineau Trail
Burma
Favourite Race
Easterns...always fun to race back at Nakkertok.
Favourite Workout
4:4s...easy to remember...
Racing Goals for this Season
Have fun and ski fast.
MEGAN McTAVISH
What I do when I'm not skiing
Working as a Patent Examiner - Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Being “Maman”
XC Ottawa treasurer and founding member
Skiing highlights/accomplishments
Member of World Cup teams for Canadian World Cups 2010, 2012
World University Games 2001, 2003
Winner Gatineau Loppet 2010, 2013
Winner, Craftsbury marathon (50k classic) 2016
Favourite Ottawa-Gatineau Trail
Frank's (17) and Highland (8) - Gatineau Park
Favourite Race
Gatineau Loppet 50km classic (point to point course); 10km skate (Lappe and Nakkertok are favourite courses)
Favourite Workout
Long skis on single track trails; short intervals with a group on race courses; trail running
Personal Sponsors/Supporters
Alpina/Rottefella
Caldwell Sport
Infinity
Racing Goals for this Season
Get to the start line (and finish line...preferably quickly) at:
-Eastern Canadian Championships, Nakkertok
-Gatineau Loppet 51k classic
-American Birkebeiner 50k skate
INGRID
What I do when I'm not skiing
I work as a food inspector, read too many books, and play bridge.
Also a graduate of Carleton U in food science (2013).
Skiing highlights/accomplishments
11th in Senior Women skate sprint at 2014 easterns, 11th Open Women in 15km classic at 2015 easterns, won three medals for Carleton U in the team sprint at Nationals.
Favourite Ottawa-Gatineau Trail
No favourite, I enjoy all of them.
Favourite Race
Long distance classic/Easterns
Favourite Workout
zone 4 ski striding intervals - 4 minutes or longer
Personal Sponsors
Madshus
Other Facts
Was a competitive swimmer for 8 years, specializing in the 50 back initially, but later moved towards 200 fly. Also have raced in running, track, open water swimming, and sailing. One of the few competitive skiers from Deep River, ON.
"Winning Moves"