Yukon ski team has home advantage in Haywood Ski Nationals

Yukon's ski team has doubled in size attheHaywoodSki Nationals. That's because it's the home team this week at Mt. McIntyre in Whitehorse.

Coach AlainMassonsays hosting thenationalsprovides opportunities for younger skiers with less experience.Someof the athletes areas young as 13 and 14.

"We have a lot of our developing athletes from the younger group or squads that are able to participate," he said.

"I think it's great for parents, their family, their friends to see where they sit just in terms of their competitiveness."

AnnahHanthornis part of the40-memberYukon ski team, and says she'sexcited to be racing on the trails she knows so well.

"It's awesome, it's really exciting," said the20-year-old. "I've never raced at home before, especially for nationals."

World Cup skiers

There will be some familiar faces on the circuit, and some of the word's topskiers to keep an eye on.

"Obviously the national ski team skiers, Emily Nishikawa, Knute Johnsgaard, Dahria Beatty," said Coach Masson.

"Those would be the ones to look for because they are national team members, so they willusually be competitive depending on their level of freshness after a long season."

TheHaywoodsrun at Mt. McIntyre until March26.