Haywood Noram FIS NorAm Canada Cup COP: Madshus Sprints

My first classic sprint! Actually, it is my second, but the first edition at Val Cartier Nationals 2001 went so badly I prefer to forget about it. I liked the course, quite a bit of striding. The qualifying round went well, I climbed well and had a snappy double pole. Unfortunately, I ended up 25th, 10.63 seconds back and 2.5 sec from the required top 16. A bit disappointing, the body was feeling good and was ready for the heats. In hindsight perhaps the grip was a little too good, and the skis just didn't glide enough on the long gradual downhill part.

Thought we would be doing a small time trial yesterday with just the usual suspects, but it turned out to be a multi-club event, where we got to wear bibs! The course was tough with one outer and one inner loop around the minescar. There was a lot of climbing, and a fast downhill affectionately know as the elevator. I started 30 sec behind Brian McKeever, and could tell right away he was likely gaining on me. I was stuck on cruise control, my muscles were too tired push hard. My technique felt good where I had good grip, but I struggled a bit where I was slipping. Tried to pull out a strong finish, but horse power just wasn't there.

Back in Canmore. The pursuit race yesterday went pretty well. I improved on my 11th place finish on Thursday, and finished 10th (start number 23!), just .3 seconds ahead of my roommate, Kit Richmond. I couldn't quite stay with the leaders in the classic, I didn't want to overdo it, and my skis just didn't seem to be gliding as well as others'. A slight glitch in my transition where I stopped at the wrong pit cost me a few seconds, but it didn't really matter since I was stuck in third gear for the skate anyway. I passed one guy, otherwise skied by myself. Technique felt good, but didn't have the legs.
No races this week.