Today was the continuous pursuit race in Sovereign Lake (Silver Star). Sheila and I were the lone XC Ottawa competitors. Since we were doing our own waxing (with recommendations from Eric Bailey... Thanks!) we arrived over 2 hours before the race to do the final touch ups, warm up and wax and test our grip. With this format of racing you start with a mass start classic leg, ski into an exchange area and quickly put your skating skis and poles on, then continue with the skating portion. You use the same boots for each race. I had a chance to try out my new Alpina boots and I really liked them.The Open Women did 5km of each technique on the World Cup course from last year. Sheila and I both had good starting positions in the second row. I surprised myself by being in the lead going into the first uphill (courtesy of some quick manouvers on the first corner). I then settled into the back of a train led by Amanda Amar.
I came into the exchange with Brooke Gosling a bit behind the lead group and did a quick ski change....I was actually quite proud of myself for my speed, this is normally a problem area for me. I skied out of the box and toward the first hill then tried to put my poles on... At this point I dropped one of my poles and had to stop and go back for it! So much for my quick exchange!!! I could see Brooke ahead of me up the hill and tried to keep her in my sights for the skate portion. I had a good leg and passed a couple of people. In the end I finished 9th overall, very satisfactory!
Sheila describes her race as a suffer-fest. She had some stomach issues, thought about dropping out, but toughed it out for 17th position. She did hang on to the lead group for the first 2.5km and feels there will be good things in the races to come.
Tomorrow is the end of our Silver Star trip for this year. It has been a great time!
Full results available at: http://www.sovereignlake.com/race_results/index.html
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"Jessica Spring - Illustration + Design"