The first international sporting event the City of Prince George has ever hosted is a few short days away.
The 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships begin this Friday (Feb. 15) with the opening ceremonies at the Prince George Civic Centre, followed by the nine-day competition at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club.
The biathlon and cross-country races are broken down into three classifications for individual and team relays; sitting, standing, and visually-impaired.
The challenges range from 6km to 20km, taking laps around the club for fans to cheer on their favourite country or athlete.
Team Canada is in the #cityofPG! Welcome to the #WPNSC2019 - we hope you enjoy your stay! ❄️🇨🇦 For full event info head to https://t.co/oRCnOhFyqn . Join us in cheering on the world's top athletes - all competitions are free to attend. pic.twitter.com/Vw0aE4Zq5i
— Caledonia Nordic (@OtwayPG) February 12, 2019
Races begin at 10 a.m. each day and end times will vary, but all formal medal presentations are slated for 7 p.m. back at Canada Games Plaza.
As of Monday (Feb. 11), all of the Canadian athletes attending the World Para Nordics have officially arrived in Prince George.
So, how can you witness what will arguably be a once-in-a-lifetime sporting experience?
Well, if you’re wanting to see the more than 140 athletes from 19 countries compete in our own backyard, take note of the full schedule below.
Friday, Feb. 15
- 7 p.m. = Opening Ceremony
Saturday, Feb. 16
- 10 a.m. = Sitting Biathlon, Women’s 10km
- 10:55 a.m. = Sitting Biathlon, Men’s 12.5km
- 12:30 p.m. = Standing Biathlon, Women’s 10km
- 12:50 p.m. = Standing Biathlon, Men’s 12.5km
- 2:20 p.m. = Visually-Impaired Biathlon, Women’s 10km
- 2:40 p.m. = Visually-Impaired Biathlon, Men’s 12.5km
- 7 p.m. = Medal Ceremonies
Sunday, Feb. 17
- 10 a.m. = Sitting Cross-Country, Men’s 7.5km
- 10:10 a.m. = Sitting Cross-Country, Women’s 5km
- 11:15 a.m. = Visually-Impaired Cross-Country, Men’s 10km
- 11:30 a.m. = Standing Cross-Country, Men’s
- 12:40 p.m. = Visually-Impaired Cross-Country, Women’s 7.5km
- 12:55 p.m. = Standing Cross-Country, Women’s 7.5km
Monday, Feb. 18
- 10 a.m. = Cross-Country, Sprinting qualifying races
- 12 p.m. = Cross-Country, Sprinting semi-finals
- 1:05 p.m. = Cross-Country, Sprinting finals
- 7 p.m. = Medal Ceremonies
Tuesday, Feb. 19
- Training Day
Wednesday, Feb. 20
- 10 a.m. = Sitting Biathlon, Women’s 6km sprint
- 10:25 a.m. = Sitting Biathlon, Men’s 7.5km sprint
- 12 p.m. = Standing Biathlon, Women’s 6km sprint
- 12:20 p.m. = Standing Biathlon, Men’s 7.5km sprint
- 1:35 p.m. = Visually-Impaired Biathlon, Women’s 6km sprint
- 1:50 p.m. = Visually-Impaired Biathlon, Men’s 7.5km sprint
- 7 p.m. = Medal Ceremonies
Thursday, Feb. 21
- 10 a.m. = Sitting Biathlon, Women’s 12.5km
- 10:20 a.m. = Sitting Biathlon, Men’s 15km
- 12:25 p.m. = Standing Biathlon, Women’s 12.5km
- 12:50 p.m. = Standing Biathlon, Men’s 15km
- 2:40 p.m. = Visually-Impaired Biathlon, Women’s 12.5km
- 2:50 p.m. = Visually-Impaired Biathlon, Men’s 15km
- 7 p.m. = Medal Ceremonies
Friday, Feb. 22
- Training Day
Saturday, Feb. 23
- 10 a.m. = Cross-Country, 4x2.5km Mixed Relay
- 11 a.m. = Cross-Country, 4x2.5km Open Relay
- 7 p.m. = Medal Ceremonies
Sunday, Feb. 24
- 10 a.m. = Sitting Cross-Country, Men’s 15km
- 10 a.m. = Sitting Cross-Country, Women’s 12km
- 11:40 a.m. = Standing Cross-Country, Men’s 20km
- 11:40 a.m. = Visually-Impaired Cross-Country, Men’s 20km
- 11:50 a.m. = Visually-Impaired Cross-Country, Women’s 15km
- 11:50 a.m. = Standing Cross-Country, Women’s 15km
- 5 p.m. = Medal Ceremonies
- 6:15 p.m. = Closing Ceremony
For a more detailed schedule, you can click here.
