Turkey, Turkey, Turkey

A lot of turkey and some great down time has now led to getting back down to business with just one week remaining before U23 and World Cup Trials in Duntroon. The last set of races went well in Quebec. A 20k pursuit finishing 12th, and a 10k classic also finishing 12th. The temperatures were cold making a good gliding ski very important. My skis were gliding well both days which was a nice change from the week’s previous races in Canmore, where it felt as though my skis had concrete on the bottom of them.

Just before leaving Quebec my new skis for the 2007/ 2008 season arrived. I will prep them with lots of wax before testing them to find out what type of conditions they will ski the best in. Then hopefully at Trials I will have a good selection to be skiing on the best skis.

Over the Christmas break I was able to get out to the Nakkertok Boxing Day Burnoff. It was a team sprint with laps of 1.2k and each team member doing 3 laps. Kate was my teammate and we put in a solid effort but weren’t in the running for top spots, spinting and Phil go together as well as holiday cheer and the grinch, so you can imagine the outcome. But Nakkertok put on a great event and everyone had a good time, for me it was knocking the rust off after a very sedentary week of visiting and eating turkey.

The rest was well needed and it was great to see my family and enjoy in some Christmas celebrations. Now it is back down to southern Ontario after a great week near Ottawa, so ramp up for Trials in Duntroon.

I hope that if anyone is looking for something to do over New Years you are personsonally invited to come out to Duntroon to watch the races being held January 3rd (20k pursuit), 5th (skate sprints), and 6th (15k classic). I love to see everyone and to have your support.

Sprint Domination

I QUALIFIED!!!!

Sprinting is not my strong point and making it past the top 30 into the heats was a job well done. It lifted my spirits a bit from a dismal showing yesterday. Since qualifing last in the 30th position, it meant I was up against 5 others guys faster than myself along with the top qualifier.

It was a fun race, happens so fast you forget instantly how bad it hurt the previous 3 minutes. I had a poor start position and wasn't able to make much out of it, getting out of the first corner last. But I was pleased, making it into the qualifier was a good race for me.

We had a strong showing from our team with Kate qualifying 8th and finishing the day in 12th position, Chris posting a 23rd qualifying time and finishing a few spots better, Thomsen coming in at 27th position, Mike placing 7th in the jr men field, and Lenny being edged out for second place in the jr men field.

Tomorrow we head to Canmore to continue racing with a pursuit on Thursday, and races on Sat. and Sunday.

Phil

New Poles

My new poles arrived today, I have got them cut and ready to go for tomorrow. I have left my classic poles a little longer than usual for pure sprint domination.