The Carleton varsity Nordic ski team captured five of six gold medals in North Bay Jan. 30-31, continuing what is shaping up to be a very successful season.

The Ravens competed at the Ontario University Athletics’ (OUA) races held at Nipissing University, taking eight medals in total.

The team pulled out off the wins despite race delays on Jan. 30 due to the extreme cold weather.

“It was downright unpleasant,” said head coach John Langstone. “[Cold weather] can be painful and destroys focus, but I didn’t here any complaining.”

The cold weather wasn’t the Ravens only obstacle.

The team is also down two key skiers, Steffan Lloyd and Kyle Power, who are forerunners for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

“[Llyod] and [Power] will be missed, but we have a tone of depth and there are people who will step up to the game,” said Alana Thomas, who picked up gold in the women’s free race.

Raven veterans Colin Abbott and Mathias Purdon also started the weekend off right, with respective gold and silver medals in the men’s 10-kilometre free race.

Icy conditions didn’t slow the Ravens down the next day either when Abbott captured another gold in the men’s 30-kilometre classic, followed closely by teammate Purdon, who finished second.

The Raven women were similarly successful. In the women’s 15-kilometre classic, Thomas came in second and Adele Lay placed fourth.

Impressive performances were also put forth by the team’s many rookies.

In the junior men’s 15-kilometre classic, Logan Potter and Lee Hawkings finished first and third respectively.

 “A significant part of our team is rookies and how we do this year depends on their performances,” Langstone said.

The Ravens are now preparing diligently for the OUA championships. Hopes are high for strong medal finishes.

“The team is the strongest it’s been in the last three years,” Thomas said. “We have a chance of doing really well.”

The Nordic Skiing OUA Championship will take place Feb. 20-21 in Orangeville, Ont.