Nighbor gives back

Dave Nighbor (yellow jersey) takes some Nordic Skiers through some drills on Monday afternoon. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Dave Nighbor has transformed a week of rest and relaxation into a training camp for up and coming nordic skiers.

“This was supposed to be my re-generation week,” the member of Canada’s national Nordic Ski team stated during a press conference Monday outside Vincent Massey school where the Nordic Ski Club received funding from EPCOR to help pay for the unique camp.

“I’ve just came from a training camp in the back country in Kananaskis Country in Alberta and I should be doing no training and sleeping and resting instead I’m out here and I’ll be out here for the next 4 days working with these people individually.”

With no snow in site Nighbor took the skiers on their roller ski’s through some drills on the hilly streets on and around Janey Avenue.

North Bay Nordic Ski Club head coach Bob Porter says having Nighbor train these skiers is like Sidney Crosby giving personal lessons to North Bay hockey players.

“He inspires the kids and shows them you can accomplish anything,” said Porter.

The 23-year-old says there’s no way he could turn down a training camp like this.

“I have a lot of respect for North Bay athletes and I want to be there for them and make sure they are on the right track to live out their dreams,” Nighbor said.

Olympic Dreams

Nighbor was a runner-up as an alternate for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics but in 2010 he fully expects to be a participant and not a spectator. Last year he finished 32nd in a World Cup event and in two years and at 25 years of age, he expects to be at the peak of his career.

“Now heading into 2010 I’m in good position to be racing for the team and posting good results in Vancouver and training for the World Championships," he said.

"It’s a grinding sport and it takes a lot of years of experience and I’d say I’m just getting to some of my best results and I’m going to be at that for about another 12 years.”

Nordic Ski Incentives

Nighbor is doing more than just training up and coming Nordic Skiers as he has added an extra incentive by donating his Team Canada Jacket to the club and the first skier to bring home a National Medal will get to keep it.