Photos courtesy of Nakkertok Nordic

Levi Warkentine is one of nineteen Manitoban's heading to the 2017 Canadian Cross-Country Ski Championships in Canmore Alberta this weekend. Warkentine, who is originally from Winkler, will represent Downtown Nordic/Lakehead University this year at nationals.

"I'm excited to get to go again. It's been a long season. I had a rough off-season plagued with injuries. So, it feels pretty good to go back to nationals and with the University team this time," said Warkentine. "I'm just super excited for the entire experience again."

This isn't the first time Warkentine has been to the Provincials, but this is the first time in a few years his schedule and body has allowed him to partake in the event. He stated with representing his school would add a little bit more of a purpose and goal of bringing a banner home for the school.

Warkentine is competing in five different events at the Championships this weekend including, 1.5 km sprint race, with the classic technique, a 10 km, with a rolling start, with the skate technique, a 15 km interval start, with a classic technique, a team sprint relay, and a 30 km mass start, skate.

"There's a lot of top competitors in my category. I'm hoping for some top twenty placings. It seems like a very strong category this year. A top twenty finish in all of my races would be a good sign," explained Warkentine, when asked about his goals for his races. "Maybe in the relay we could get a few teams on the podium for our school."

The final event Warkentine will be competing in is the 30 km mass start skate, which he has completed once before. Warkentine explained his mind is ready for the lengthy race.

"Trying to maintain the focus in a race that long has got to be the hardest things to do. Just in any race, if you lose your focus for a little bit it will through your pacing off. With a 30 km, you just want to stay nice and relaxed and race your own race. You aren't trying to go off the front after the first lap. Staying relaxed and staying focused would be the main things," said Warkentine. "Another thing with the 30 km race, with it being in Canmore the climbing is just crazy. It will be filled with super long climbs and those take a beating on your mentally and physically. The climbs are going to be the hardest part of the race."

Warkentine is grateful for the continued support from both where he is now in Thunder Bay and from right here in Winkler and surrounding area.

This championship will be held from march 18th to the 25th.