As many of you know from reading Peter Beisel's recent post several XC Ottawa and XC Ottawa alumni are currently racing at the World University Games in Trentino, Italy.
We have had three races so far and are not doing a very good job of keeping the XC Ottawa community informed so here is a brief update!
Our first race was held on December 12th and was the Skiathlon, 15km for the Men and 10km for the women. It was a very tough race on a tough course and we certainly held our own. The competition here is very stiff, for example the winners are mostly former World Junior/U23 champions and a mixture of past World Cup skiers. Skiing does not get more competitive other than the World Cup itself.
Women’s Skiathlon (5km Classic + 5km Free) Results in Breif
1. Tatyana Ossipova, Kazakhstan, 29:34.7; 2. Kateryna Grygorenko, Ukraine, 29:35.7; Minna Marjaana Pitkaenen, Finland, 29:36.1; 49. Andrea Lee, Black Creek, B.C., 32:52.1; 52. Kendra Murray, Whitehorse, Yukon, 33:12.7; 53. Myriam Paquette, St. Bruno de Montarville, Que., 33:19.0; 56. Camille Pepin, St. Ferreol les Neiges, Que., 33:49.4.
Men’s Skiathlon (7.5km Classic + 7.5km Free)
1. Raul Shakirzyanov, Russia, 38:42.1; 2. Mark Starostin, Kazakhstan, 38:42.7 (photo finish); 3. Pavel Syulatov, Russia, 38:42.7; 57. Jordan Cascagnette, Penetanguishene, Ont., 43:07.9; 59. Harry Seaton, Orillia, Ont., 43:13.6; 67. Matthias Purdon, Owen Sound, Ont., 43:47.6; 68. Peter Beisel, Owen Sound, Ont., 44:00.8; 72. Lee Hawkings, Whitehorse, Yukon, 44:56.1.
Our second race was the classic sprint on December 14. This fast and furious bout took us up two huge hills including one that was a real challenge to classic stride. When the dust settled Harry Seaton from Lakehead University was the lone Canadian to qualify for the heats where he was eliminated after the quarter-finals.
Women’s 1.2 km sprint - Qualification
32. Camille Pepin, St. Ferreol les Neiges, Que., 3:44.21, does not advance; 44. Myriam Paquette, St. Bruno de Montarville, Que., 3:48.85, does not advance; 51. Kajsa Heyes, Vancouver, B.C., 3:50.73, does not advance; 55. Andrea Lee, Black Creek, B.C., 3:51.78, does not advance; 56. Kendra Murray, Whitehorse, Yukon, 3:52.03, does not advance; 61. Kara Jaspers, Thunder Bay, Ont., 3:56.28, does not advance.
Men’s 1.5 km sprint - Qualification
25. Harry Seaton, Orillia, Ont., 3:35.02, advances to quarter-finals; 48. Jordan Cascagnette, Penetanguishene, Ont., 3:42.31, does not advance; 55. Peter Beisel, Owen Sound, Ont, 3:45.89; 58. Leeland Hawkings, Whitehorse, Yukon, 3:46.60, does not advance; 67. Thomsen D’Hont, Yellowknife, N.W.T., 3:49.54, does not advance; 70. Matthias Purdon, Owen Sound, Ont., 3:50.96, does not advance.
The third race out of the 6 being run for the Universiade was a mixed team sprint which is a unique event in my experience. It involved an Olympic style team sprint event with one girl and one boy. Canada fielded two teams based on sprint qualifications with Harry Seaton and Andrea Lee together and Jordan Cascagnette and Camille Pepin on the other team. Both teams had strong performances in the qualification heats but unfortunately did not advance to the finals.
We will be updating further as the races progress so stay tuned for more updates! Thanks for reading!
Full Ski Results available online through
http://www.universiadetrentino.org/content/program
All races broadcast live and streamed from http://www.livefisu.tv/
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The Ottawa crew: Peter, Kendra (Carleton), Lee, Matthias, Toivo (Nippissing) Photo: Mary Wadell
Evening light shining on the mountains above the Val di Fiemme stadium.
Peter grinding up the big hills in the skate portion of the skiathlon. Go Pete! Photo: Myriam Paquette
Snow guns blast all night all along the valley prepping the 70km point to point course for the Marcialonga World Loppet
Still time for some relaxing and exploring. A highlight was riding the Gondola and chairlift up above Predazzo
Full team picture, what a good looking crowd! Photo: Mary Waddell
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