A trio of athletes who call Mount Washington Alpine Resort home will be among more than 350 British Columbians travelling to Nova Scotia to represent the province at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax, Feb. 11 to 27.

Coach Dave Battison of Campbell River and athlete Andrea Lee of Black Creek 鈥� both members of the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club 鈥� are on the cross-country ski team while Max Heard of Duncan 鈥� a member of the Mt. Washington Freestyle Club 鈥� is competing on the freestyle ski team.

鈥淚t鈥檚 thrilling to know that we are sending off the next generation of Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympic athletes,鈥� said Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. 鈥淚 want to commend every member in being named to Team BC and in reaching this considerable level of achievement. It鈥檚 a testament to the efforts of athletes, coaches and sport practitioners 鈥� everyone involved 鈥� in coming this far.鈥�

Leading the B.C. athletes into the opening ceremonies will be long track speed skater Victoria (Tori) Spence, who was chosen as Team BC鈥檚 flag bearer.

Organizers say Team BC can expect to be in the spotlight in Halifax as competition begins on the one-year-anniversary of the 2010 Olympic Games opening in their home province. They will also be marking the trail for athletes aspiring to compete at the next Canada Winter Games, which will be held in Prince George in 2015.

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