A novice skier from the Humboldt area has been chosen to represent the province.
Andrew Benning, 30, is in his first year of cross country skiing, but he was chosen to be on Team Saskatchewan at the 2011 Canada Winter Games being held February 11-27 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Benning, a sit skier, is competing in the Para-Nordic category.
At the start of the season, Benning had no idea about how well he would do or that he would be competing in the event.
"It started as a way to stay in shape during the winter," he said.
He competed in a couple of races earlier this season and decided to try out for the provincial team.
"I competed in a handful of races and I've been doing good, so I figured why not (try out)," he said with a smile.
The trials were held in LaRonge at the end of December and Benning came in first in his category.
"I was surprised by that," he said of his results.
Benning hasn't changed his training regime much after being chosen to compete at the Games.
"I ski three times a week, between 45 minutes and an hour and a half each time," he explained. "I usually ski between five and 10 kilometres each time."
He also does some weights at home during the week.
While Benning isn't sure yet which races he will be competing in at the Games, he thinks it will probably be the 800 metre, the 2.5 kilometre, and the five kilometre races.
Benning, who grew up on a farm near Muenster and went to school in Muenster, says his parents have been very supportive of his skiing.
