Who would have though that the Women's Institute had so much influence (except maybe Tony Blair...).

The Canadian Women's National Cross-Country Ski Team have put together a 2001 calendar, featuring pictures of themselves in the buff. The self-styled 'Nordic Nudes' were inspired in their venture by the famous WI calendar from last year or 'a group of middle-aged British socialites' as team member Sara Renner describes them!

Sales of the calendar are going well, although there have been some objections. 'Canadians are pretty modest,' says Renner. 'It's cold, so people spend all their time wrapped up in clothes. We definitely had a few feminists knocking on our door.'

Ironically, the girls credit the controversy with helping to sell the calendar. 'More than anything, we wanted to show that cross-country is a sport that normal, fit, healthy girls do,' says Renner. 'It's certainly better than drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, and eating rice crackers all day.'

Go figure! For more info and to order, visit nordicnudes.com.