2025 Phoenix Invitational

Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre

Hosted by Parry Sound High School

Race Date: Wednesday December 17, 2025 (snow day/bus cancellation date December 18)

Entry Deadline: Friday December 12, 2025 at 11:59 pm. Entries processed through zone4.

Convenors: Graham Poole, Jon Grimwood; Parry Sound High School

Race Format: Team Sprints

Novice: 2 x 250 m

Junior Girls, Junior Boys, Senior Girls, Senior Boys, Mixed Team : 2x500 m

See the race FAQs for details

Registration Details

• Registration ages as per OFSAA.
• Entry in the novice category is intended to be a low key first time racing experience.
• Depending on the number of registrations we receive, we have race options that will ensure every skier, other than Novices, will have the opportunity to race twice.
• Entry Fee: $20/skier including zone4 fee. Entries will only be processed through www.zone4.ca .
• Skiers must be entered by a coach as part of a school team. No refunds for last minute scratches. Substitutions may only be made if another racer in the same category has been scratched.
• Please seed your skiers in pairs as Team A, Team B, Team C,… with fastest team being Team A.
• In the event of cancellation or attendance challenges based on weather, the entry fee, excluding Zone4 charges, will be returned.

General Information:

Teams should try to be on site by 9:00 to pick up bibs and finalize registration.

• Coaches’ meeting at 9:30.
• Course closes at 9:45.
• Course length, start times, and starting procedure are subject to change at convenors’ discretion.
• Mass start format, team sprint relay. Up to 10 teams per heat.
• Entry in the Novice category is intended to be a low key first time racing experience.Entry in the novice category is intended to be a low-key, first- me racing experience.

Venue Information

• There will be no food available at the Georgian Nordic chalet. Drinking water is available. The chalet has 3 individual washrooms that function as change rooms. Porta-potties will be on site. More details at gnoac.com.
• There are limited waxing facilities available but ample space to set up wax benches outdoors with access to power.
• Warm indoor space at GNOAC is at a premium. Please prepare your athletes for an outside day. Buses can remain in the nearby parking area for overflow space.

Schedule for the Day (start times will be moved up as time permits)

9:30   Coaches’ Meeting

10:00 Junior Boys Heats

10:30 Junior Girls Heats

11:00 Senior Boys Heats

11:00 Senior Girls Heats

11:30 Novice Boys Final

12:00 Novice Girls Final

12:30 Mixed Teams Final

1:00   Junior Boys Final

1:30   Junior Girls Final

2:00   Senior Boys Final

2:30   Senior Girls Final

Phoenix Invitational Team Sprint Relay FAQs :

Q: What if a skier scratches and cannot/does not race?

A: Their partner can move to ‘Mixed’ and team up with another teammate from their school who wishes to race twice or is also an orphan skier.

Q: Can a skier race twice?

A: Yes, if they want to -- once in their age category and once in ‘Mixed’.

Q: Are Open-trained (Club)/ High School-trained skiers differentiated?

A: Only on paper when results are shared

Q: How does the seeding system work?

A: Team A is perceived strongest/fastest, B second, C third, etc... Register your teams accordingly.

Q: Will there be heats?

A: Only if there are more than 6 teams in a division. We will let you know at least one day prior to race day if there are heats.

Q: How does a team qualify for finals?

A: Top 3 in your heat qualify for finals.

Q: Is there a novice category?

A: Yes, only finals, no heats.

Q: What is the ‘Mixed’ category?

A: Two orphaned/ solo skiers/ non-identified-gender skiers paired with each other (must be from same school).

Q: How does a Team Sprint event work?

A: Pairs of skiers take turns skiing laps of a course sharing a hand-to-body-tag within an exchange zone between laps. Each skier skis 2 laps.

Q: Will this event be timed?

A: No. Results are based on finish-placing only (ie. 1st across the finish line, 2nd across, 3rd across, etc.)

Q: Is there a skier warm up/ training area?

A: Yes.

Q: Are there awards?

A: No, not really. There will be an event gift for all participants. Likely edible.

Q: What type of start does this race use?

A: Mass start. 5 lanes. Lanes assigned randomly. Double pole start for 15 metres in pre-cut trackset.

Q: Is ‘tracking’ permitted in this type of event?

A: No. Skiers do not have to yield or give way to a faster, over-taking skier.

Capes or Caps Spirit Prizes!

Teams are encouraged to dress up and show off their fun racing spirit by wearing a colourful or creative cape or cap! Those teams who dress in a cape or cap will receive a prize in recognition of their spirit!