Chasing the Light is a sprint race on a ladder format. Sprints are short, fun, and happen on a small loop, so you can be encouraged all the way.

Join us afterwards for pizza and drinks in the WNC Chalet!

This event is also a training event for our Arctic Winter Games Officials.

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Boreal Cup Series #1: Chasing the Light Sprint 2025 (now in 2026)

Important Update for all Chasing the Light Sprint Registrants (10:30am):

To give the air temperature more time to warm up, we are going to swap start times for heats for U14 & younger and U16 & older.

U16 & older heats will now start at 12:15.

U14 & younger will now start at 13:30. We will make a call for the U14 heats by 13:00.

Important Message for all Chasing the Light Sprint Registrants:

The U14 qualifier will be canceled due to cold temperatures. The U14 heats will run if temperatures climb above -15 at the chalet or airport by noon. There will be another update at noon for the U14 heats. Assuming the U14 heats run, participants will be seeded by age.

U16 and older will continue as planned. U16 and over qualifier will start at 11:15. Heat start times are unchanged.

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Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026 (rescheduled because of cold weather)

Location: Whitehorse Nordic Centre (WNC) Stadium & Chalet

Technique: Classic

Distance/Course: Qualification round 600m or 1km; followed by Heats on same course ( **see new Course & Stadium Maps posted here on Feb 3, 2026** )

• U14 & younger - 600m
• U16 & older - 1km

Format: each skier will race four times:

• once for Qualification round (interval start, random seeding) - first Start Time: 11:00am
• three rounds each of Heats (sprint start, ladder format) - first Heat Start Times: 12:15pm for 600m; 13:30pm for 1km
• NOTE: skiers will advance between Heats using ladder format (see Ladder Advancement Diagram posted on this page)

Start Lists: The Qualification Round Start List (Zone4 format) & Heat Start Brackets (two pdfs) are posted on this page.

• NOTE: When reviewing the Qualification Round Start List, use the back arrow on your browser to return to this page (i.e. don't use the "Go to Event Page" link at the top left of the Start List - it goes to an incorrect page!)

Categories: Qualification round and heats for each distance will be mixed with all genders and ages!

Fees:

• Race Fee: $4.50 (Racers will need to have a WNC season pass or a day pass)
• Post-race pizza & drinks (optional): $5.00 (sponsored by Domino's Pizza & Northland Beverages)

REGISTRATION closed on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 23:59 YT.

Event Schedule:

• Bib Pickup in the chalet starting at 10:00am.
• Timing chip pickup near the start line starting at 10:45am ($100 fee charged for each missing chip).
• Qualification round starts 11:00am.
• Heats start 12:15pm for 600m and 13:30pm for 1km ( bibs will be reissued for first round Heats in the stadium near the Race Office starting 15 minutes beforehand - 12:00pm for 600m; 13:15pm for 1km).
• Post-race pizza & drinks: starting at 13:00pm in WNC Chalet.

Temperature Cut-offs:

• Under 12 years old: -15C
• 12 years old and older: -20C

Information & Communication: Any changes regarding the event, including cancellation/rescheduling, will be communicated via this Event Page and to participant email addresses used during Zone4 registration. Make sure that address is correct and monitored.

Contact race@whitehorsenordic.ca for more information or registration changes.