| Andrea Lee | Andy Shields | Alannah MacLean | Chris Hamilton | Dudley Coulter | Erin Tribe | Harry Seaton |
| Jack Carlyle | Jimmy Gunka | Jordan Cascaganette | Michael Somppi | Nick Monette |

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Michael Somppi

Sponsored by:
Gold Sponsors    John W. McDonald Law Office Silver Sponsors    Lappe Furniture Co. (Geoff & Jodi Hall)    Neety Panu & Juha Metsaranta    Lappe Nordic Ski Centre Personal Sponsors    Dr. Reijo Peltoniemi    Harbourview Optometry (Dr. Brad Elgie)
Skis	Boots	Poles

Birthplace: Thunder Bay
Residence: Thunder Bay
Age: 23
Home Club: Lappe Nordic
Years in skiing: 10
Years on NDC: 5 / Years on National Ski Team: 1
Racing Category: Senior Men (U23)
BLOG: www.michaelsomppi.blogspot.com

If you Google “Michael Somppi” you will get over 1,600 results which suggests this young athlete has been around for a while and has seen his share of ski racing. Well known for many years on the local cross country scene, Michael has made quite an impression in the national and international arenas. A one time AAA calibre hockey player, Michael got the nordic bug in high school and was inspired to reach for new heights by his fellow Lappe Nordic skiers such as Werner Schwar who is also a NDC alumnus.

One of Michael’s most memorable skiing moments was winning two silver medals and one bronze medal at the 2006 Canadian National Championships held in Thunder Bay at his home club, Lappe Nordic. For this coming season he has several goals which include:

• Qualify to represent Canada in OPA Tour (European Race Circuit) and World Cup events
• Top 3 placings at NorAm Series Races, Canadian National Championships and Super Tours

Michael is setting his long term sights on:

• Make the step from Development Team to World Cup team as a member of the Canadian National Ski Team
  Reach my full potential as an athlete and cross-country skier
• Represent Canada at the 2013 World Championships
• Represent Canada at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics
• Win medals on an international stage at World Cups, World Championships, and the Olympics

An avid outdoorsman, Michael loves exploring the wilderness in a canoe and describes it as “a truly humbling experience.” His sense of adventure is evident by his desire to try skydiving some day to experience the rush of jumping out of a plane high above the earth’s surface and ski trails.

Recent photos - click for larger versions