The first race was the 20km skiathlon. Racers ski a 2.5km course 4 times in classic, switch skies, and ski another 4 laps of a different 2.5km course in skate. Raphael and I took turns leading a group of 4 other skiers in the classic portion of the race. The last lap I made a push on the big hill out of the stadium to drop some of the scragglers. It was now just me, Raph, and one other skier who managed to hang on to us. I had a really fast exchange from classic to skate and came out of the exchange zone just ahead of Raph. On the second lap of the skate portion, Raph was pulling away from Alex and I. I continued leading Alex for the rest of the 3rd lap of the skate while Raph slowly put seconds on us. Its a shame Alex and I couldn't work together more to try and close the gap. Finally, Alex tried to make a move on the last lap of skate which I was able to follow. My plan was to stay behind him going into the stadium and to out sprint him in the finish. Alex unfortunately, turned into the inside lap lane when we were finishing. When you enter on the wrong side of a v-board you have to turn back and go around the right way. Knowing this, I expected Alex to turn around in which case I could easily coast in to the finish. Instead he cut through the lap lane, to the finish lane, and we continued sprinting to the finish, where he nipped me to the line. I was mad at myself for not pushing over the last uphill and for losing the sprint but i also knew cutting the corner into the finish was not allowed and that Alex would be disqualified. Its really too bad for him because it was a great race for him and even if he had turned around, he would have place comfortably in 3rd place.
After a day of rest and skiing the sprint course, It was now the sprint day. I had a great sprint in Rossland so I was excited to sprint in Whistler. Thursday through Saturday had been sunny, hard pack conditions, but we woke up sunday to 6 inches of fresh snow. The makes skiing a lot slower. The qualifier was brutal for me. Hills I could usually one skate I was off-setting. Instead of gliding on your skis you were lifting them over deep ruts of fresh snow. In my quarter final I was once again matched up with Alex Mahoney. This Time I got the best of him in the finish shute, even though I had the outside track in the powder. Some luck for Alex this time though, he was lucky loser anyway. (The top 2 athletes in each heat qualify automatically and there are 2 "lucky losers" who post the next fastest times). My Semi final went a lot smoother where I won over Geoff Richards. Raphael had won the qualifier but told me he wouldn't challenge in the final to save himself for the following race. (otherwise I think he could have won). I started fast but blew up hard on the first up-hill. My legs were at their maximum lactate threshold. The deep powder snow never made me feel more helpless as i dragged my legs along using my upper-body. Geoff Richards who favours these conditions, was the clear leader on this day, which was more or less "last man standing". I "bonked" so hard I was sure I would be caught and finish last. It was by far the slowest final I had ever skied. some how I manage to hold on to second place. Turns out everyone was as tired as I was. Here I am lunging Ezekiel Williams By 12ms to take 2nd place.
I was completely spent after the sprint race and two 2nd place finishes still did not guarantee me a spot on the world junior team. I did everything I could to recover. I napped, drank lots of water, stretched. To my surprise, I felt not half bad in the morning. I started out nice and smooth on the 15km classic course. The hills are massive but I had great wax on my skis and was able to stride them easily. I felt like I skied really smooth right into the finish. A great race especially considering how exhausted I was just the night before. The only thing that could have made it better was if I had someone to ski with. I ended up 10th overall and 2nd junior behind Raph who got a ride off David who also had an amazing race placing 3rd overall and first U23.
The World Junior team is yet to be announced but it looks like it will be a great team. I will be joining my CNEPH teammates David Greer and Raphael Couturier as well as my yukon teammates Dahria Beatty, Janelle Greer, and Emily Nishikawa. Read about Whitehorse dominating the trials at http://www.cccski.com/Media/Haywood-Race-Report/Haywood-RACE-Report--NorAm-Live-Timing.aspx
I leave to Canmore for Westerns tomorrow. More updates to follow
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