By Times Staff
A pair of Black Jack Ski Club grads was on the national stage Monday as the cross-country skiing races began at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax.
Rebecca Reid was eighth overall and second among B.C. women in the women's 7.5km freestyle race at the Martock Ski Resort.
Her time of 28 minutes and 38 seconds left her just over a minute behind winner Emily Nishikawa of the Yukon.
The 18-year-old Reid was just 25 seconds out of a medal spot against a field of racers up to 23-years-old.
Alysson Marshall of Salmon Arm won the silver medal.
Reid is back on the track today for the sprint races. She'll also ski Thursday in the 10km freestyle.
Meanwhile, Black Jack teammate Geoffrey Richards placed 23rd overall in the men's 10km freestyle. Richards posted a time of 24:40.4, which was fifth among B.C. racers.
Kevin Sandau of Alberta won the gold in a time of 22:09.4.
Richards competes in today's sprint races and again on Thursday in the men's 15km freestyle.
Both Reid and Richards will wrap up their racing on Saturday in the relay races.
At the hockey rink in Halifax, the B.C. female hockey team had a breather on Monday following two losses on the opening day of the tournament.
Team B.C., which includes Fruitvale's Ella Matteucci, was blanked 4-0 by Alberta and 4-1 by Ontario on Sunday. The team returns to action today against Newfoundland/Labrador.
The team will wrap up round robin play Wednesday against Saskatchewan.