2008 World Cup

1.2km Classic Sprint
Kuusamo, Finland

And we’re off and running!  Whoops, I mean skiing!  The season is now officially underway. Wahoo!  It’s a bit crazy that we skiers spend almost two-thirds of the year training so that we can race for such a short four-month season, but today I was thankful to have the last eight months worth of work to back up my efforts on the race course.  The level here on the world cup is incredibly high and it takes serious fitness, strength and stamina to be competitive!

Yesterday the action got going.  In the morning I previewed the course, tested multiple pairs of skis with one of our new waxers Zach Caldwell, and did some pre-race tune ups with Canadian racer Chandra Crawford.  It was great to be able to ski different parts of the course side-by-side with another racer and I learned some tricks to use for the race.  The course was a mad scramble of wax techs, racers and coaches.  Right before finishing my ski I jumped in behind Petra Majdic and skied up the big climb as she was doing an acceleration.  I was excited to be able stay right on her tails, giving me a little boost of confidence.

The rest of the day went well, getting online for a little internet surfing and watching the men’s nordic combined race (ski jumping + nordic skiing) on TV.  One of the Americans skied his way up to 2nd which was fun to watch.  Then a short nap and a light jog.  By the time I went to sleep there were visions of skiing and the race course buzzing through my head.

Morning came fast as I had to get up early enough to eat breakfast and digest before race time.  I had a good breakfast of what I like to call “the Finnish Magic,” oatmeal with musueli, raisins, yogurt and jam.  Then I packed my backpack (which is quite full on a sprint day) and headed down to the wax cabin.  

The wax techs had all the skis prepared and out on course by the time I arrived.  After a short jog to get the body warm I took off around the course with Peter, my designated wax tech for the season.  We switched pairs a couple times and then added more kick to both pairs.  The monster climb on the course was sure to be decisive and having really good kick was essential.  A few more sprints up the hill and I had my race pair decided and ready to go.  All the wax testing up the hill at race pace had my heart thumping and I only needed a few more pick-ups to finish off my warm-up.

I picked up my race skis at the wax station and headed to the start just as the first racers were on course.  When the early 20’s lined up in the start area, I took off my warm-ups and strapped into my skis.  Then it was my turn.  I stepped up to the start wand and watched the clock tick down.  3...2..1...go!  

Over the first few meters I strided hard to build momentum, then I switched to a high-speed double-pole and went zinging out of the stadium and down the big descent.  There was a tight left-hand bend near the bottom and even though I leaned hard to the inside, I had to drop my pole down for balance.  Whew, close!  I stayed in a tight tuck around two more corners and then double-poled aggressively over to a short steep.  I carried good speed into the hill, slapped down a frenzied herring-bone and then accelerated over the top.  As I cruised around a bending turn to the right in my tuck, I considered how fresh I felt.  It was only a momentary relief as the big climb approached.  

I double-poled as far as I could and then switched to a fast stride.  I drove my arms and legs up the hill as fast as they would go.  The hill was long but I was still carrying good speed.  The last third of the hill steepened and I shortened my stride.  I had to really pull with my arms over the top as the effort was starting to set in.  The course leveled slightly and I double-pole kicked toward the final turn.  As I came around the other side the finish was in sight.  I made a few quick strides and then double-poled as hard as I could.  Just before the line I threw my foot forward and slid to a halt as I glanced over at the scoreboard.  I was 10th at the moment.  

When the women’s qualification round concluded I sat in 12th place, just three seconds out of the lead.  I was very happy with my performance to start the day because I had never been so close to the leader.  To clear the hard effort out of my muscles I skied a few cool-down laps and headed back to the wax cabin to change.

Even though I had completely changed into dry clothes and was wearing two thick jackets, my body was shivering as I waited for the rounds to start.  I think the shivering comes partly from the release of adrenaline after completing the qualifying round.  I listened to some music on my iPod until it was time to test skis again.  My skis from the morning were still feeling fast with good kick.  

My qualifying position placed me in the fourth quarterfinal heat.  The first few quarterfinals had exciting and close finishes and I knew my heat would be no different.  I got third land choice and picked the middle track.  We had a quick introduction for the TV cameras and then we stepped to the line.  I place my poles behind the starting gate and readied for the gun.  Bang!  

We all strided hard off the line before switching to double-pole.  I was just slightly behind the two skiers to my right as we entered the downhill so I tucked in behind.  As we sailed down the hill I stepped over to the left track to get the inside on the next corner.  There was some jostling for position but I held my course and was able to make my way into second as we hit the short steep.  I accelerated hard up and over and tucked in behind Shapolova of Russia.  

Coming into the big hill I double-poled hard and chose an open track to the left.  Then I switched to striding, knowing I had to hammer to keep my position.  I focused on driving up the track while still keeping a very quick tempo.  Shapolova was striding very well and pulling ahead just slightly but I was also holding my position in second.  I pushed it hard over the top and double-pole kicked toward the final turn, still in second.  I could feel skiers behind creeping up.

Coming off the final corner, I'm bib #12

Around the final turn I was able to carry good speed and go for an open lane to the right.  I then strided a few times to build momentum.  As I switched to double-poling, I could feel skiers pulling up on my right and left.  It was Natsumi of Japan and Kalla of Sweden.  With 50m to go we were all even, and then I began to slip back.  Over the last few meters I lost contact and slid across the line in fourth.  

Our heat had been the fastest yet and for a few minutes I waited to see if I might advance to the semi’s as a “lucky loser.”  But the fifth quarterfinal was fast as well and I ended up missing out by less than a second.  My day was done.  After putting on my warm-ups, I went for a cool-down ski to work out the lactic acid and then returned to the stadium to watch the finals.  My US teammate Andy Newell made it all the way to the finals and finished fourth, which was a great cap to the day.

On the final results I finished 16th.  A good start to the year!  I am happy with my performance today because my qualifying speed has definitely improved and I was right in the mix.  I just got out double-poled in the last few meters, which is a skill I can work on improving.  

Tomorrow I will do my first big distance race of the year, a 10km classic.  The course is challenging and I look forward to seeing what I can do.

Glad to have you all along for another exciting season!

Cheers,
Kikkan :)

A Big Thank You to my supporters!