2017 World Junior Championships
Soldier Hollow, Utah, USA
January 28 - February 5

Journal, January 26th:

An easy day was in the cards for most of us as now is the time to do a quick taper (or rest up) right before the races begin. I skied for an hour on Canmore Nordic Centre’s hard packed, fast trails; perfect for skating. 

I am now packed and ready for the 10 am shuttle that will bring the 22 of us to the airport tomorrow with all our gear. Maybe a short jog to loosen up the legs before a long travel day will also be a good idea.  It does not quite seem real yet that we will be at the race venue in 24 hours. Though it is pretty incredible to be going into such a big race with the confidence of knowing the course, accommodation and possible snow conditions! Gotta love that home field advantage!

Until next time (state’s side),

Annika

Canadian team: 2017 World Jr/U23 Championships

Journal, January 25th:

On the agenda for most athletes today was either sprint racing or a skiathlon time trial. Since I was one of the only athletes who also raced Westerns last weekend in Whistler, I did my own set of threshold intervals. Everyone was excited to be able to break out the Team Canada race suits on yet another beautiful day in Canmore! 

This evening we were lucky enough to meet and learn form Drew Goldsack, a former member of Canada’s National Ski Team, as well as a U23 World Champion from 2004. This was a good opportunity to ask unanswered questions about racing and the lifestyle that surround the sport.

Only one more day in Canmore before we head back down to Utah! Everyone on the team can agree that this is going to be a great Junior/U23 World Champs!! Go Canada!

Gareth

Journal, January 24th:

After two days of altitude training at Mount Shark, most Team Canada members enjoyed an easier day of skiing at the Canmore Nordic Center.  The tracks were excellently groomed as always, views from the Nordic Centre are always incredible! Only two more days of skiing in Canmore before we depart for Park City!

Everyone is looking forward to the time trials tomorrow.  The distance team will be practicing for the skiathlon with a 3.75 + 3.75 km race for women and a 5+5 km race for men, and the sprint team will do a classic sprint simulation. It will be fun to start racing again in a stress-free environment.

Go Canada! 

Rémi

BC Athletes:

Annika Richardson – Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Club (N. Vancouver)

Gareth Williams – Telemark Nordic Society (Kelowna)

Remi Drolet – Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club (Rossland)

Journal, January 23rd:

The World Junior Champs trip has kicked off in Canmore, Alberta, with three days of awesome skiing up at Mt Shark, the exact altitude of Soldier Hollow where will we race in a mere weeks time! There is some fun single track classic, good for easy zone1 skiing, plenty of technical downhills and an abundance of great training partners.

We received our new Team Canada kit and are loving wearing the red, white and black. Everyone is looking good! My National Team Development Centre (NTDC) teammates and I decided to make pompoms as an addition to one of the hats as shown in one of the pictures, right now most of the team wants one! Good thing we made 23!

Looking forward to a rest day tomorrow, at least for me, and doing some active recovery like rolling and dynamic stretching. Time to show the rest of the xc ski world what Canada can do!

Cheers,

Annika