We are excited that current XCSO board member Jack Sasseville will be inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame this November in Montreal!

Jack Sasseville Long Time Team Hardwood Coach and Former Hardwood Ski and Bike
General Manager Selected as a Coach Inductee into the 2023 Hall of Fame Class

Team Hardwood Press Release Oro Medonte, August 15, 2023: Jack Sasseville, Oro Medonte resident and long-time cross country ski
coach at the local, provincial and national levels, has been chosen as a 2023 inductee into the Canadian
Ski Hall of Fame. Jack is being inducted in the Coaching Category, as a recognition of his almost 50 years
as a coach, leader and builder in cross country skiing in the local community, provincially, nationally, and
internationally. Jack will join former inductees who include Olympic and World Cup medalists such as
Pierre Harvey and Beckie Scott, and coaches and builders who have contributed to the development of
snow sports in Canada. His induction will occur in Montreal on November 17, 2023. Read on ….

Jack’s career in cross country skiing began as a coach in Manitoba in 1975 and by 1979 he was coaching
the national team. His career highlights include:
– 48 years in cross country ski coaching
– National Team Coach for 13 years
– Team Canada Coach at four Olympic games, three World Championships, eight Junior World
Championships and multiple World Cups.
– Commentator for five Olympic Games along-side CBC’s Scott Russell, including a Gemini nomination
– Coach of athletes who have won over 300 medals at National Championships
Jack is a fixture in the local cross-country ski community. He founded Team Hardwood in 1995 and after
some time as an investor and General Manager at Hardwood Ski and Bike, he returned to coaching Team
Hardwood in 2017. When informed of his selection, Jack commented: “I am humbled by this recognition. I
am thankful to the people that nominated me, those that supported the nomination and to all the athletes,
coaches, parents and teams that have allowed me to share my love of cross-country skiing with them. This
truly is the highest honour of my life.”

Team Hardwood Backgrounder:
Team Hardwood is a competitive cross country ski race team in Oro Medonte, Ontario. We are based out of
Hardwood Ski and Bike; however, we are a separate, not-for-profit entity. We approach Nordic skiing as a team
sport. While the actual events may be individual, participation in racing involves a team of athletes, coaches,
and parents. We are a “learn to race program” for graduates of “learn to ski programs” who want to strengthen
their skills and excel at ski racing. Our goal is to maintain being a top three team in Ontario and top ten team in
Canada.
Team Hardwood provides a competitive cross country ski racing program for athletes at three levels:
1. Junior Development: Introduction to cross country ski racing for skiers 10 to 14. Program is conducted from
September to March, athletes train 2 to 3 times a week, and race at local and Southern Ontario District (SOD)
races.
2. Provincial Program: Skiers graduating from Junior Development or transitioning from other sports for skiers 13 – 19.
Train 3 to 5 times a week and race in high school, SOD and Ontario Cup races.
b. National program: Skiers committed to full time ski race training aged 13 – 19. National athletes train 5 to 7
times a week and race Ontario and Canada Cups, and National Championships.
Skiers race 20 to 30 times a season and as a team we attend 50+ races a season. Training is primarily conducted
in person and consists of running, roller skiing, biking, pole bounding, hiking and strength training in the
spring/summer/fall and on-snow ski training/strength training in the winter. Athletes also participate in several
training camps.
At Team Hardwood, we focus on a personal commitment to excellence. While some alumni have gone on to the
Olympics and World Cup racing circuits, we are equally proud of our alumni who have developed skills to pursue
excellence in their careers and academics.
For further information please visit our website www.teamhardwood.ca or contact Ray Ryan, President
Team Hardwood at 705-733-4854.

Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Backgrounder:
The Mackenzie Investments Canadian Ski Hall of Fame shares the stories of Canadians who have excelled
throughout Canada and the world or contributed to the advancement of snowsports in another
spectacular way.
Our Hall of Famers – who have been voted into the Mackenzie Investments Canadian Ski Hall of Fame –
paint a beautiful picture of the diversity of talent across the nation, while recognizing the highest level of
achievement in their domains. A wonderful celebration of sport and talent!
For further information please visit https://skimuseum.ca/about-the-canadian-ski-hall-of-fame/ or contact
Jane Chisholm, Director and Chairperson of Events at 514-213-0406.