The 9th annual Alberta Youth Championships (AYC) for mini midgets and midget XC skiers was held in Bragg Creek February 11 and 12.

Skiers born in 2003-2006 competed in the weekend race; Erik Anderson, Co-Chief of Events says it was their biggest race ever.

"We had 146 athletes racing from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yellowknife. We had a record number of relay teams we had 27 official relay teams, a bunch of unofficial teams, and a coaches relay as well."

Anderson says conditions vastly improved after a dump of snow by Mother Nature and great grooming by volunteers.

"We had spectacular trails and conditions, the weather was perfect."

The AYC recognize skiers in a variety of categories from 1st to 10th place, as well as a number of spirit awards.

Anderson says it was pretty tight competition with only seconds separating some skiers.

Membership in XC skiing clubs is increasing due to less cost and different equipment than alpine skiing. Anderson adds while many still compete in classic XC skiing, skate skiing is a growing trend due to technique and speed.

To see who placed where, you can check the links.

Saturday am Classic Technique:

http://www.zone4.ca/results/bca40dc4-efc7-11e6-a7a1-0a7aff3e7c9d/

Saturday pm Mixed Relay:

http://www.zone4.ca/results/67e1d424-efc7-11e6-a7a1-0a7aff3e7c9d/

Sunday am Skate Technique:

https://zone4.ca/results/faf0d314-f0c6-11e6-8c0b-0a7aff3e7c9d/