The week of racing at Ski Nationals in Thunder Bay is over, and it’s back to reality! Overall the event was a great success. Plenty of snow and cool temperatures helped the Lappe Nordic trails remain in amazing shape for the week of racing. The number of committed athletes, coaches, volunteers and clubs was impressive, and bodes well for the future of skiing in Canada. And Nakkertok Nordic (where I help coach) won its 6th consecutive club championship title.
Personally the races went well: I was pretty consistent throughout the event and finished 17th in the aggregate open women’s division. The final 30 km skate race was a good one for myself and my XC Ottawa teammates. The conditions were fast, and some of tricky downhills a bit more challenging with some ice patches. The only disappointment of the day was that the Lappe kitchen had run out of Finnish pancakes!
Here are some pictures of the 30 km from the talented crew of Ski Nationals photographers.
Open Women – 30 km Mass Start – the “Leader” bib is two-time Olympian and Nakkertok athlete Perianne Jones – she’s retiring this year, so this was her final race, capping off an amazing career (Martin Kaiser Photo).Corner after the mass start, followed by fast downhill for the first kilometer – that was fun! Our XC Ottawa women skied parts of the race with American skiers from the St Scholastica Nordic team (blue stripes on legs) – Bib # 275 is Anita Kirvesniemi, daughter of Finnish ski legends Marja-Liisa and Harri Kirvesniemi (she won the sprint qualifier event, but Perrianne Jones was the eventual winner in the heats). (Anna Buske photo)My teammate Steffan grabbing some sports drink (eload). The men raced 50km, so race nutrition was critical. (Anna Buske Photo)Another turn – the Lappe Course is full of turns and corners – many opportunities to gain (or lose!) time. (Anna Buske photo)The finishing stretch! (Anna Buske photo)The teams behind the athletes at Ski Nationals is incredible. XC Ottawa had amazing wax support from XC Ottawa alumni Craig Storey, Carleton University coach Nic Clifford, with help from John Langstone. Here Nakkertok impresses getting over 50 pairs of skis ready to race. (Ian Austen photo)Some happy Nakkertok Juvenile girls that I help coach (Anna Buske photo)
Usually Ski Nationals ends the year of racing, but not this season! I’ll be heading to Val Morin/Far Hills for the Quebec Cup final this weekend, racing another team sprint with my teammate Ingrid, and a 10 km classic race.
