Matt DeCarufel - Program Director, U16 & U18 Coach
Matt grew up cross country ski racing in Sun Valley, Idaho. After finishing high school, he took a year off to study in Norway and immerse himself in Nordic skiing. He was a division 1 NCAA racer at the University of Nevada for 4 years, and then supported the team as an assistant coach while finishing up his University degrees in Economics and Management. He began as a volunteer with CNSC when he first moved to Canmore in 2011, but has steadily taken on more responsibility to reach his current position. Matt is currently NCCP Competition Coaching Development Certified.
Email: mattd@canmorenordic.com
Caitlin Campbell - Biathlon Program Manager, 14, U16 & U18 Coach
Caitlin grew up in Prince Edward Island and following in her brother’s footsteps she joined the local biathlon club when she was 13. She competed in the 2015 Canada Winter Games and at the 2016 World Youth Junior Championships.
Caitlin started coaching in 2018 and has since completed her Biathlon Competition Development Certification, she was head coach and program lead for biathlon PEI’s Train to Train and Train to Compete athletes from 2020 – 2023 and lead the team at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
Outside of coaching Caitlin has a bachlors in business adminstration as well as her Canadian residential appraisal designation.
Email: caitlinc@canmorenordic.com
Mark Naylor - U14 & U16 Coach
Mark started biathlon in 2013 in Winnipeg Manitoba with the Red River Nordic Ski Club, instantly developing a love for all perfectly flat ski courses. He was introduced to coaching at a young age volunteering with youth ski programs in the club. After representing Manitoba at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, he made the full transition into coaching and completed his Biathlon Competition Development qualifications the same year. Since then, Mark has coached and developed ski programs for U16-U18 youth, and biathlon programs for youth and masters.
He is currently completing his Competition Introduction in skiing, and a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba by distance.
Kerstin Wichers - U14, 16, Grizzly & Polar Bears Coach - Biathlon
Living in middle Alberta for most of her life, Kerstin joined the Cadets in 2011 and found biathlon through the program. She competed for 4 years and taught other cadets to ski and shoot, helping them find joy in the sport. She joined the Camrose Vikings in 2013 to continue in biathlon. Kerstin moved to Canmore to be closer to the mountains and began working at Trail Sports, teaching lessons to school groups and new-comers to Nordic skiing. When she was asked to coach with the club, Kerstin did not hesitate to say yes. She loves coaching the younger generation find joy in biathlon, whether it is competitively or simply having fun.
Sara Renner - Track Attack/U12 Coach
Sara Renner grew up Canmore. She is the mom of three girls and along with her husband, Thomas Grandi, they run Talus Lodge. Her connection to this place and people provided the balance and strength that undoubtedly powered Sara to become Canada’s only cross country skier to win both an Olympic and World Championship medal.
