From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.
Thomas O’Harra (Alaska Pacific University) racing at 2018 U.S. Cross Country Championships last month at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo: Ariana O’Harra)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans who competed at last week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 21-year-old Thomas O’Harra, of Alaska Pacific University, who represented the U.S. at his first U23 Worlds (after competing at three Junior Worlds).
Last week in Goms, O’Harra placed 43rd in the 15 k classic and 64th in the freestyle sprint.
***
“My full name is Thomas O’Harra, but you can call me Thomas.
I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and I learned to ski at the age of 5.
I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds training and getting ready for school.
The chase for third place during men’s 50 k freestyle at the 2017 U.S. Distance Nationals last March in Fairbanks, Alaska. Thomas O’Harra (123) leads, followed by Patrick Caldwell (103), Adam Martin (105), Eric Packer (119), Tyler Kornfield, and Tad Elliott. (Photo: Max Kaufman)
This is my second time in Switzerland and seventh time racing internationally, and so far it’s been fantastic.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is the chocolate is much better.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is pretty great. Usually racing at altitude is fun for me because I enjoy steady grinding. There are many mountains around where I live.
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is the opportunity to race against this level of competition again.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the 30 k skiathlon (specifically, the second half).
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Norway and ask them if they think Klaebo is as cool as most Americans.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is I can eat as much as I’d like.
Fondue is bread and cheese, my friend. The cheese here is stinky. And the chocolate is milk.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it taking pictures and taking the tram up to the mountaintops.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @thomasoharra.”
Zak Ketterson (Northern Michigan University) racing at the CCSA opener in Houghton, Michigan. (Courtesy photo)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans who competed at last week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 20-year-old Zak Ketterson, of Northern Michigan University, who represented the U.S. at his first U23 Worlds (after competing at 2016 Junior Worlds in Romania).
Last week in Goms, Ketterson placed 57th in the 15 k classic and 65th in the freestyle sprint.
***
“My full name is Zak Eduard Ketterson, but you can call me Zak.
I was born and raised in Bloomington, Minnesota, and I learned to ski at my high school in 7th grade. .
I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds training at home and at NMU.
The funnest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was tanning in Cannes, France, with my Norwegian NMU teammates and Leo Hipp.
This is my second time in Switzerland and fourth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been very focused.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is better manners at dinner.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is picturesque. Usually racing at altitude is fine for me because I tend to adjust fine. There are infinitely less mountains around where I live.
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is the opportunity to race successful World Cup skiers.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the 15 k classic.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Russia and ask them what’s in the water over there.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is that it is basically the same as NMU.
Fondue is overrated. The cheese here is really good but not that different from the U.S. And the chocolate — haven’t had any chocolate, won’t have any chocolate.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it tanning outside and hiking up one of the biggest mountains.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @zaketterson.”
Northern Michigan University’s Nicole Schneider (2) leads UVM’s Alayna Sonnesyn and Dartmouth’s Lauren Jortberg (r) in the 15 k freestyle mass start at 2017 NCAA Skiing Championships in Jackson, N.H.
In an effort to showcase the North Americans who competed at last week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 20-year-old Nicole Schneider, of Northern Michigan University, who represented the U.S. at her first U23 Worlds (after competing at 2016 Junior Worlds in Romania).
Last week in Goms, Schneider placed 40th in the 15 k skiathlon, 44th in the freestyle sprint and 49th in the 10 k classic.
***
“My full name is Nicole Schneider.
I was born and raised in Plymouth, Minnesota, and I learned to ski at French Park with the Minnesota Youth Ski League.
I spent the time between U.S nationals and U23 Worlds training with my teammates and working with professors to make sure I don’t fall behind in my classes!
The hardest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was 45 seconds on by 15 seconds off bounding intervals up Mount Marquette with my training partners.
Nicole Schneider training in late January in Goms, Switzerland. (Photo: Hannah Rudd)
This is my first time to Switzerland and third time racing internationally, so far it’s been the most beautiful country I’ve ever been to.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is the copious amount of snow there is here. Seriously. The snowbanks are taller than me!
Skiing and racing in the Alps is challenging. Usually racing at altitude is hard for me because I live at sea level! But I came to the precamp here so I’ve had no problems adjusting.
One of the things I’m most excited about for U23 Worlds in Goms is to see how I stack up against the other girls my age.
One race I’m especially targeting is the skiathlon because I’ve never done one before!
I really hope I can make friends with someone from Norway and ask them what their secret is.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the coffee.
Fondue is… still haven’t had it here yet! The cheese here is exceptional. And the chocolate is to die for.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness, I’d spend it alpine skiing in the Alps.
The best way to follow me on social media is on instagram at @colieschneider.”
Gareth Williams (Telemark Nordic/Canadian U25 Team) training in Praz de Lys, France, last month before U23 World Championships in Switzerland. (Photo: Charles Castonguay)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans who competed at last week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 20-year-old Gareth Williams, of Telemark Nordic and the Canadian National U25 Team, who represented Canada at his first U23 Worlds (after competing at last year’s Junior Worlds in Utah).
Last week in Goms, Williams placed 41st in the 15 k classic.
***
“My full name is Gareth James Williams, but you can call me G-Will.
I was born in Vancouver and raised in Kelowna, and I learned to ski at Telemark Nordic Club.
I spent the time between Mont Sainte-Anne trials and Junior/U23 Worlds at Mont Sainte-Anne and Praz de Lys in France training to race my best this week.
The most fun workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was altitude ski up the downhill slopes of Big White with my team and coach Adam.
Gareth Williams (Telemark Nordic) racing in the freestyle sprint qualifier at 2017 World Cup Finals in Quebec City, Quebec, last March. He finished 74th. (Photo: Peter Collins)
This is my third time in Switzerland and fifth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been much more competitive!
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and Canada is the price of a cappuccino!
Skiing and racing in the Alps is kind of like skiing in Western Canada. Usually racing at altitude is good for me because I train at altitude fairly often. There are lots of mountains around where I live.
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is the beautiful mountains.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the skiathlon.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Australia and ask them what the difference is between a wallaby and a kangaroo.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the coffee.
Fondue is not something I usually eat while trying to ski fast! The cheese here is not my thing. And the chocolate is the best in the world!
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it on top of a mountain with some alpine skis.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @gareth_williams.”
Bill Harmeyer (University of Vermont) racing at the Colby Carnival last month. (Photo: SkinnySki.com)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans who competed at last week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 20-year-old Bill Harmeyer, of the University of Vermont, who represented the U.S. at his first U23 Worlds (after competing at last year’s Junior Worlds in Utah).
Last week in Goms, Harmeyer placed 39th in the 15 k classic and 46th in the freestyle sprint.
***
“My full name is Bill Harmeyer, but you can call me Bill.
I was born in Burlington, Vermont, and raised in Underhill, Vermont, and I learned to ski at the farm behind my house.
I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds nervously telling my teachers I’d be missing two weeks of classes, while maybe failing to mention I’d be missing more.
Bill Harmeyer (University of Vermont) during an NTG camp training session last fall at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. (Courtesy photo)
The hardest/favorite/most awesome workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was Trout Lake agility and OD TT with the Bend Endurance Academy.
This is my first time in Switzerland and first (second including WJC in Utah last year) time racing internationally, and so far it’s been sweet.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is the mountains are a bit different.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is distracting, because you’re constantly looking around, and exhausting, because you just want to keep skiing. Usually racing at altitude is not too hard for me because I’ve done it before. There are some mountains around where I live.
American Bill Harmeyer (University of Vermont) racing the first leg of the men’s 4 x 5 k relay on the last day of 2017 Junior World Championships at Soldier Hollow. After he tagged off in sixth, his team went on to finish ninth. (Photo: FlyingPointRoad.com)
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is the chocolate. One race I’m especially targeting there is the skate sprint.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Sweden and ask them if they’d like to trade suits.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the cheese.
Fondue is on my top 10 favorite foods list. The cheese here is fantastic. And the chocolate is also fantastic.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it exploring backcountry skiing or crust cruising while eating chocolate.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @bllharmeyer1.”
Canada’s Philippe Boucher (CNEPH) racing to 22nd in the men’s 20 k skiathlon at 2017 Junior World Championships at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. (Photo: FlyingPointRoad.com)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans who competed at last week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 20-year-old Philippe Boucher, of the Centre National d’Entraînement Pierre-Harvey (CNEPH), who represented Canada at his first U23 Worlds (after previously competing at three Junior Worlds).
Last week in Goms, Boucher placed 42nd in the freestyle sprint and 45th in the 15 k classic.
***
“My full name is Philippe Boucher, but you can call me Phil.
I was born and raised in Lévis, Québec, and I learned to ski at Club de ski La Balada in Lévis.
I spent the time between Mont Sainte-Anne trials and Junior/U23 Worlds alpine skiing in beautiful powder snow at MSA. I rested three days at home. I left Quebec on Jan. 14 en route to Praz de Lys, France, for a training camp with the Canadian ski team.
The funnest workout training camp I did in the last training year to prepare for this was a 3-week training camp this fall on the Dachstein glacier in Austria with Alexis Dumas, my teammate on the CNEPH. We’ve been on the World Junior/U23 Championship trip for four years together; he’s one of my best friend and training buddy.
This is my second time in Switzerland and fourth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been good.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and Canada is the salami is awesome.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is fun and challenging. The weather can change quickly. I like when it’s unpredictable. Usually racing at altitude is OK for me because I’m based in MSA at sea level, but I’ve been training and racing a lot at altitude these past 4 years. I still need some time to adapt, but when I’m adapted it usually goes well for me. There are one (Mont-Sainte-Anne) mountains around where I live.
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is to compare my level of racing with the best in the world and to eat the good food at the hotel. No cooking is the best.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the 30 k skiathlon.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from France and try to speak with their accent and expressions.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is chocolate croissants.
Fondue is delicious. And the chocolate is miam !!
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it backcountry skiing in the Swiss Alps.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @p_boucher97.”
Russia’s Denis Spitsov celebrates his first U23 World Championships gold on Friday ahead of France’s Jules Lapierre in the men’s 30 k skiathlon in Goms, Switzerland. (Photo: JWSC2018.ch)
(Note: This article has been updated to include comments from Americans Lauren Jortberg and Ian Torchia.)
U23 World Championships (Goms, Switzerland): 15/30 k skiathlons
On the final day of U23 World Championships racing in Goms, Russia stole the show in the women’s and men’s skiathlons.
The all-Russian women’s 15 k skiathlon podium at U23 World Championships on Friday in Goms, Switzerland, with Anastasia Sedova (c) in first, Natalia Nepryaeva (l) in second and Yulia Belorukova (r) in third. (Photo: JWSC2018.ch)
Anastasia Sedova led them in the first race of the day on Friday, the women’s 15-kilometer skiathlon, which she won in 44:03.6 minutes. Russia swept the podium and had four in the top five with Natalia Nepryaeva in second (+10.7) and Yana Kirpichenko in third (+37.2), and Yulia Belorukova in fourth (+1:58.0). Germany’s Pia Fink placed fourth (+1:33.5).
The race was the first of the week for the 22-year-old Sedova, a World Cup regular, and it was her second individual gold medal at her second U23 World Championships (she won the 10 k classic in 2016).
“Good preparation for the Olympic Games,” Sedova said during an in-arena interview after the race. “I am very lucky today. Good atmosphere, good weather today.”
Kirpichenko won the 10 k classic earlier this week and Nepryaeva placed third in the freestyle sprint in Goms.
“It’s hard to say how to describe the race, but Anastasia is a really good skier,” Nepryaeva said after. “She was really good today. So for me it was hard to support her during the race. Today she was much better than me.”
American Lauren Jortberg (Dartmouth Ski Team) led the North Americans in 29th (+5:29.9) for her best distance result at the Junior/U23 World Championships level.
“Early in the race I was right over 30th place, and I was trying to maintain contact with the big group ahead of me,” Jortberg, a Dartmouth sophomore from Boulder, Colorado, wrote in an email. “The pace of the classic leg was really fast. A couple of the girls in the race are heading to the Olympics in a few days so it was a really hot start!”
She came through the transition at the race’s halfway point in 31st, about 3:47 behind the leaders.
“I am a much better skater so I felt like I really put the hammer down on the skate leg and moved up a lot,” Jortberg wrote. “The skate course was much easier than the classic course, but I feel like I skied the massive climbs better than the girls around me. I focused on having a really high tempo over the hills and skiing the downhills technically well because there was no rest on the course.
“I’m pleased with my performance today, and I’m excited about my results this week as a whole,” she added. “I’m definitely leaving here hungry for more because I don’t think it was my best week, but I think it was really solid. This is the most competitive field I’ve ever raced against so it feels really good to know that I’m not too far off their level!”
Also for the U.S., Lydia Blanchet placed 38th (+7:11.1) and Nicole Schneider was 40th (+8:04.3). Julia Kern did not finish.
Canada’s Katherine Stewart-Jones (Canadian National U25 Team/NTDC Thunder Bay) placed 31st (+5:39.0) and Maya MacIsaac-Jones was 42nd (+8:08.8), while Laura Leclair and Sophie Carrier-Laforte were lapped.
Russia’s Denis Spitsov leads France’s Jules Lapierre during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Friday at 2018 U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland. Spitsov went on to win by 2.9 seconds over Lapierre. (Photo: JWSC2018.ch)
In the men’s 30 k, Russia’s Denis Spitsov took the win in 1:18:14.9 hours, just 2.9 seconds ahead of France’s Jules Lapierre. Norway’s Ole Jørgen Bruvoll placed third (+21.5), ahead of Russia’s Ivan Yakimushkin in fourth (+23.2), and Andorra’s Irineu Esteve Altimiras in fifth (+36.4).
The gold was the first for Spitsov, 21, who previously placed second in the 15 k classic earlier this week. He has two individual bronze medals from last year’s U23 Worlds (in the 30 k skiathlon and 15 k freestyle).
American Ian Torchia (U.S. Ski Team/Northern Michigan University) placed 27th on Friday (+6:05.7). Only 33 men finished, and he was the only North American that didn’t get lapped.
“Between the 3700 feet of climbing, a 2.5km loop, and the top dogs having World Cup podiums…half the field got lapped,” Torchia wrote in an email. “Definitely added some motivation in the final 2 laps to see Spitsov and Lapierre slowly catching up.
“I felt I skied technically better in skate and struggled on the classic leg,” Torchia explained. “Took a hard tumble halfway through the classic leg and had to take half a lap to recover from that. Found a hole in my suit close to my groin afterward which was a little unnerving!”
At the end of the week, he noted that he felt “more fired up than coming in. Funny how being 6 minutes back can do that,” he wrote. “It was an eye-opening experience to get back on the international stage after 2 years and I will take these lessons of racing to the rest of the season in the Ishpemimg Super Tour, Steamboat NCAA’s, and Craftsbury Spring Series. Also already thinking of ideas on how to change and optimize my training to make the jump to the top level.”
Americans Andrew Egger, Zak Ketterson and Thomas O’Harra also competed, as did Canada’s Alexis Dumas, Gareth Williams, Philippe Boucher, and Ricardo Izquierdo-Bernier.
Stratton’s Ben Saxton (l) edging Julien Locke (r) by eight-hundredths of a second for the win in the men’s 1.4 k classic sprint A-final on Friday at Eastern Canadian Championships in Gatineau, Quebec. (Photo: Becca Rorabaugh (APU) on her way to winning the women’s 1.3 k classic sprint qualifier on Friday at 2018 Eastern Canadian Championships in Gatineau, Quebec. (Photo: Rob Smith/CCC)
NorAm Eastern Canadian Championships (Gatineau, Quebec): Classic sprints
Eastern Canadian Championships opened in Gatineau on Friday with classic sprinting, and Americans Becca Rorabaugh and Ben Saxton ended the day with wins in the women’s and men’s A-finals, respectively.
Becca Rorabaugh (APU) on her way to winning the women’s 1.3 k classic sprint qualifier on Friday at 2018 Eastern Canadian Championships in Gatineau, Quebec. (Photo: Rob Smith/CCC)
For Rorabaugh, the win is her second straight after the Alaska Pacific University (APU) skier won the women’s 5-kilometer freestyle at last weekend’s SuperTour in Craftsbury, Vermont. She edged last weekend’s classic-sprint winner, Kaitlynn Miller, of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project (CGRP), by 0.41 seconds for the win in 3:23.15 minutes in Friday’s 1.3 k classic sprint final. It was an all-American podium (and all-American final) with Erika Flowers, of the Stratton Mountain School (SMS) T2 Team, just another three-hundredths of a second back in third (+0.44). Liz Guiney (CGRP) followed in fourth (+2.51), Rosie Frankowski (APU) was fifth (+3.88), and Corey Stock (Bridger Ski Foundation) placed sixth (+6.1).
Rorabaugh had started the day by qualifying first in 3:26.95, then won both her quarterfinal and semifinal. Miller qualified third and won her quarterfinal and semifinal as well.
In the men’s 1.4 k classic sprint, Saxton (SMST2) nipped Julien Locke (Canadian U25 Team/Black Jack) at the line by 0.08 seconds for the win in 3:04.54. Patrick Stewart-Jones (Alberta World Cup Academy) placed third (+5.53), Kris Freeman (Caldwell Sport) was fourth (+5.94), Kevin Bolger (Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation) fifth (+7.42), and Julian Smith (NTDC Thunder Bay) sixth (+11.63).
Locke initially won the qualifier in 3:08.37, then won the first quarterfinal and first semifinal as well. Saxton qualified sixth, then advanced in second in his quarterfinal about a second behind Smith, and Saxton won the second semifinal.
Easterns continue Saturday with 10/15 k freestyle races and conclude Sunday with 10/15 k classic pursuits.
Ian Torchia (NMU/USST) crust cruising with Bernie Nelson (not shown) their second day in Goms, Switzerland. (Photo: Bernie Nelson)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 21-year-old Ian Torchia, of Northern Michigan University (NMU) and the U.S. Ski Team D-team, who’s representing the U.S. at his first U23 Worlds.
“My full name is Ian Michael Torchia, but you can call me Torch.
I was born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota, and I learned to ski at Eastwood Golf Course.
I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds skiing and sleeping.
Ian Torchia (l) follows Kris Freeman on a downhill during the men’s 30-kilometer classic mass start at the 2018 U.S. Cross Country Championships in Anchorage, Alaska. Torchia went on to place 12th.
The dumbest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was a 6 hour OD with me, myself, and I.
This is my first time in Switzerland and third time racing internationally, and so far it’s been A1.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is lack of directions.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is beautiful. Usually racing at altitude is great for me because I’m a small guy. There are huge mountains around where I live (Marquette Mountain, Sugarloaf, Hogsback).
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is racing Russians.
One race I’m especially targeting there is 30 k skiathlon.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from USA and ask them to steal Zak Ketterson’s white noise machine so I can sleep in silent peace.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is granola, also for lunch and dinner.
Fondue is unavailable. The cheese here is Le Gruyere. And the chocolate is for my girlfriend.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it crust cruising with Bernie Nelson.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @fullytorched.”
Ian Torchia (NMU/USST) during a crust cruise in Goms, Switzerland. Enough snow to ski up on a house! (Photo: Bernie Nelson)
Lydia Blanchet (Dartmouth Ski Team) during the 10 k freestyle at 2018 US nationals last month in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo: Betsy Arnold)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 20-year-old Lydia Blanchet, of the Dartmouth Ski Team, who’s representing the U.S. at her first U23 Worlds.
“My full name is Lydia Anne Blanchet, but you can call me Lydia Anne Blanchet.
I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and I learned to ski with the Anchorage Junior Nordic League at Kincaid Park, and later with APU.
I spent the time between U.S. nationals and Junior/U23 Worlds catching up with work from the first week of classes and getting settled in my new apartment.
The hardest and coolest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was running the 22 miles from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River and back with my best friend and teammate Taryn Hunt-Smith this fall on our geology field program.
Lydia Blanchet (Dartmouth Ski Team) on the Athabasca Glacier in Banff this past September on a Dartmouth geology field program. (Photo: Laura Hutchinson)
This is my first time in Switzerland and first time racing internationally, and so far it’s been a dream!
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is the toilet flushers.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is like skiing in a story book. Usually racing at altitude is painful for me because I’m a sea level girl through and through. There are humongous, beautiful mountains around where I live, but I train by the ocean!
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is getting to meet skiers from every corner of the world.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the skiathlon, but I’m excited for all of them.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Kazakhstan and ask them if they really are the greatest exporters of potassium.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying are croissants with jam and brie.
Fondue is what my family used to eat on New Year’s. The cheese here is enough to make me move to Switzerland. And the chocolate is enough to make me stay for the rest of my life.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it doing a 45 minute sled run down an alpine resort—which I did with my dad on Tuesday!
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @blanchetlydia.”
Lydia Blanchet (Dartmouth Ski Team) getting some air at the top of the tram by the U.S. team’s hotel in Goms, Switzerland. (Photo: Thomas O’Harra)
The women’s 10 k classic podium at 2018 U23 World Championships, with Russia’s Yana Kirpichenko (c) in first and Anna Zherebyateva (l) in second, and Switzerland’s Nadine Fähndrich (r) in third. (Photo: JWSC2018.ch)
(Note: This article has been updated to include comments from Americans Lydia Blanchet and Ian Torchia.)
U23 World Championships (Goms, Switzerland): 10/15 k classic
Russia put two in the top three in both the women’s and men’s races on Wednesday at U23 World Championships in Goms, and for the second-straight race, Canada’s Katherine Stewart-Jones landed in the top 30.
In the women’s 10-kilometer classic, Russia’s Yana Kirpichenko pulled out a 13.9-second victory over fellow Russian Anna Zherebyateva, finishing with the winning time of 27:46.1 minutes. Switzerland’s Nadine Fähndrich returned to the podium for the second race in a row (after placing second in Monday’s skate sprint), finishing third, 29.6 seconds behind Kirpichenko.
In Monday’s sprint, Kirpichenko qualified fourth and ended up fifth in the final. She is a bronze medalist in the 15 k skiathlon at last year’s U23 Worlds.
Stewart-Jones, of the Canadian National U25 Team and National Team Development Centre (NTDC) Thunder Bay, started relatively early on Wednesday in bib 19 and ultimately placed 29th, 3:07.3 out of first. She sped up as the race progressed, from 40th at 2.4 k to 32nd at 5 k and up to 30th at 7.4 k.
So far in all five races she’s competed in over the last two years at U23 Worlds, Stewart-Jones has finished in the top 30. Her best result is 21st in last year’s 15 k skiathlon, and at the Junior Worlds level, she had a best individual result of 14th in the 10 k skiathlon in 2015.
American Lydia Blanchet (Dartmouth Ski Team) started fifth on Wednesday and ended up 30th (+3:10.4) after skiing in the top 30 throughout the race. Her Dartmouth teammate Lauren Jortberg followed in 34th (+3:28.9) and Nicole Schneider was 49th (+5:23.8). Julia Kern did not start.
For Blanchet, a Dartmouth junior, this week marked her first time racing at the Junior/U23 World Championships level. So far, she has placed 32nd in the freestyle sprint and now 30th in the classic distance race.
“This is my first time racing internationally, and I tried to go into the races with no expectations,” Blanchet explained in an email. “I was excited to get as close as I did to qualifying for the sprint, but it was definitely bittersweet—missing heats by 0.3 seconds left me regretting some of the smaller details of my race. Still, it is really exciting to know that I can compete on the world stage!”
After the sprint, she made a goal of finishing in the top 30.
“I really like hilly, rolling courses—especially ones with very technical downhills—and this course definitely fit that bill,” she wrote of the classic distance course. “I am really happy with my race, all things considered. I didn’t feel great while I was racing – my legs flooded pretty hard a few km’s in – but I think I did a good job of holding myself together and staying strong mentally. I know I have the ability to do even better, which is motivating and exciting. I am looking forward to get to ski head-on against the whole field in the skiathlon, and I’m excited to try and pick my way forward from my bib number. I’m also really excited to go home and race carnivals with the Dartmouth team.”
Canada’s Laura Leclair finished 40th (+4:20.9), Sophie Carrier-Laforte was 43rd (+4:19.2) and Maya MacIsaac-Jones 47th (+4:47.3) out of 53 finishers.
Nicole Bathe of the Midwest-based Central Cross Country (CXC) Team, who races for Great Britain, placed 37th (+3:43.8), for her second top 40 of the week after placing 39th in the skate sprint.
Norway’s Mattis Stenshagen racing to the win in the men’s 15 k classic at 2018 U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland. It was his first gold medal and podium at U23 Worlds (he earned silver two years ago in the 15 k freestyle at Junior Worlds and also gold in the relay that year). (Photo: JWSC2018.ch)
In the men’s 15 k classic that followed, Norway’s Mattis Stenshagen edged Russia’s Denis Spitsov by 4.8 seconds for the win in 36:28.3. Also for Russia, Ivan Yakimushkin placed third, 35.2 seconds back.
Canada’s Alexis Dumas, of the Pierre-Harvey National Training Centre (CNEPH) was the top North American in 31st, 2:51.7 out of first. He worked his way up from 40th at 5 k to 35th by 10 k, and finally just 0.2 seconds outside of 30th at the finish.
American Ian Torchia (U.S. Ski Team D-team/Northern Michigan University) followed in 32nd (+2:55.9) and Bill Harmeyer (University of Vermont) finished 39th (+3:43.3). Also for the U.S., Thomas O’Harra placed 43rd (+4:17.3) and Zak Ketterson was 57th (+5:37.6).
Torchia, an NMU junior, has been to two Junior Worlds in 2015 and 2016, but this marked his first U23’s.
“The jump from juniors to U23s is quite a leap. I missed the first year of being a U23 last year due to mono so getting back into international racing was a shock to the system,” he explained in an email.
As for his goals for the 10 k, he was hoping for a top 15 or 20, but moreover “wanted to race smart and feel good out on the course technically and physically,” Torchia wrote. “This was the hardest course I have ever raced with 600m of climbing throughout the 15k and I was excited to showcase my striding ability out there…
“However, from the first km I was in the pain cave (even though I didn’t open that fast!) and it was a fight the entire way,” he continued. “I need to work on staying technically strong when hurting and I did not do a good job of executing that today. The eventual second place Russian started as I was looping around for my 2nd lap so I was able to see and feel what a podium performance looks like. Going to have that image in my head throughout the next year!”
For Friday’s 30 k skiathlon, Torchia wrote that he would be “throwing all place goals out the window and focusing on skiing technically well and racing smart. Looking forward to channeling my last skiathlon in Kazakhstan which went really well [he placed 11th in the 20 k at 2015 Junior Worlds] and moving up from my starting position.”
Canada’s Gareth Williams finished 41st (+4:00.2) on Wednesday, Philippe Boucher was 45th (+4:22.7) and Ricardo Izquierdo-Bernier 47th (+4:24.3) out of 63 finishers.
Katherine Stewart-Jones (95) racing to second in the women’s 10 k classic at NorAm Olympic trials earlier this month at Mont Sainte-Anne, Quebec. (Photo: Pierre Shanks)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 22-year-old Katherine Stewart-Jones, of the National Training Development Centre Thunder Bay, who’s representing Canada at her second U23 Worlds.
On Wednesday, Stewart-Jones notched her second top 30 of the week, leading her team in 29th in the women’s 10 k classic in Goms. Two days ago, she placed 23rd in the freestyle sprint.
***
Katherine Stewart-Jones (NTDC Thunder Bay) training in Praz de Lys, France, before 2018 U23 World Championships in Switzerland. (Courtesy photo)
“My full name is Katherine Stewart-Jones, but you can call me KSJ.
I was born and raised in Chelsea, Quebec, and I learned to ski in the Gatineau Park.
I spent the time between Mont Sainte-Anne trials and Junior/U23 Worlds hanging out in Chelsea with my family with my family and at a training camp in Praz de Lys, France.
The hardest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was hard double pole erg intensity in the altitude chamber with my teammates at Canadian Sport Institude of Ontario.
This is my third time in Switzerland and eighth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been snowy.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and Canada is that the people here are more relaxed.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is breathtaking. Usually racing at altitude is OK for me because I’ve raced and trained quite a bit at altitude. There are no mountains around where I live.
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is the twisty race courses.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the 10 km classic.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Switzerland and ask them if they eat Tacos.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the coffee.
Fondue is delicious. The cheese here is not as cheep as France. And the chocolate is what you would expect.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it ski touring and restaurant hopping.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @kath_sj.”
Canada’s Alexis Dumas (CNEPH) racing in the men’s classic sprint qualifier at 2017 U23 World Championships, where he placed 42nd at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. (Photo: FlyingPointRoad.com)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 22-year-old Alexis Dumas, of the Centre National d’Entraînement Pierre-Harvey (CNEPH), or Pierre-Harvey National Training Centre, who’s representing Canada at his third U23 Worlds.
On Wednesday, he led his team in 31st in the men’s 15 k classic for his best result at U23 Worlds.
***
Alexis Dumas (138) of CNEPH racing in 15 k classic earlier this month in Naves, France. (Courtesy photo)
“My full name is Alexis Dumas, but you can call me Dumas.
I was born and raised in Québec, and I learned to ski at 3 years old.
I spent the time between Mont Sainte-Anne trials and Junior/U23 Worlds sleeping mostly and trying to spend the most time possible with my girlfriend before leaving for a month.
The favorite workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was any training in classic with CNEPH.
This is my second time in Switzerland and my fifth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been up and down but always fun.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the Canada is food is awesome and mountains are huge.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is great. Usually racing at altitude is great for me because I’m great. There are great mountains around where I live.
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is the food and the hot weather.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the 15 km classic.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from France and ask them why their accent is so weird.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the bread.
Fondue is awesome. The cheese here is the best! And the chocolate is so good!
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it… first, I would wake up not too early but at the same time not to late, like a good 8h37 you know. I would go to breakfast and eat a ton of cheese and salami. Then I would pack a bag full of croissants, Nutella and Fanta, not the funky ones only the orange one, and I would go backcountry skiing all day, watch the sunset over the mountains and do a crazy good boomerang video for my Instagram strory. And finally, go eat a big plate of pasta for diner and play on Miniclip all night.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @dumpums.”
Maya MacIsaac-Jones (Rocky Mountain Racers/Canadian U25 Team) racing to fourth in the women’s 10 k classic on Jan. 10 at NorAm Olympic trials in Mont Sainte-Anne, Quebec. (Photo: Mario Walker)
In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 22-year-old Maya MacIsaac-Jones, of the Canadian National U25 Team and Rocky Mountain Racers, who’s representing Canada at her second U23 Worlds.
“My full name is Maya Anna-Christina MacIsaac-Jones, but you can call me Maya.
Maya MacIsaac-Jones in Goms, Switzerland, two days before the firs race of 2018 U23 World Championships on Monday. (Photo: Maya MacIsaac-Jones/Instagram)
I was born and raised in Athabasca, Alberta, and I learned to ski at our family’s farm (while imagining I was either Sara Renner or Beckie Scott).
I spent the time between Mont Sainte-Anne trials and Junior/U23 Worlds in Chelsea, Quebec, and then in Praz-de-Lys, France with Team Canada.
The strangest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was swimming intensity that included butterfly (a.k.a. trying not to drown).
This is my first time in Switzerland and fifth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been easier to adjust to jet lag.
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and Canada is that the people here are fluent in so many more languages.
Skiing and racing in the Alps makes me feel like I’m in the Sound of Music. Usually racing at altitude is hard but manageable for me because I live and train at altitude in the summer. There are lots of mountains around where I live.
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is cheering on our speedy Juniors in the relay.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the skate sprint.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Team USA and ask them if the old Taylor really is dead.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the abundance of kiwis (the fruit, not the people).
Fondue is delicious. The cheese here is great. And the chocolate is to die for.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it adventuring on skinny skis with a thermos of hot chocolate and some Brie & baguette.
Julia Kern (U.S. Ski Team/SMS T2) racing to 43rd in last weekend’s World Cup classic sprint in Planica, Slovenia. (Photo: Toko)
It’s back! In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at next week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 20-year-old Julia Kern, of the Stratton Mountain School (SMS) T2 Team and U.S. Ski Team Development Team, who’s representing the U.S. at her first U23 Worlds (she’s been to Junior Worlds the last three years and earned bronze last year in the women’s relay at Soldier Hollow).
***
Julia Kern (U.S. Ski Team/SMS T2) racing in a World Cup skate-sprint qualifier this past December in Davos, Switzerland. She finished 57th. (Photo: Reese Brown/U.S. Ski & Snowboard)
“My full name is Julia Kern.
I was born in Berkeley, California, and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts, and I learned to ski in Germany.
I spent my time before U23 Worlds in Germany with my family and on the World Cup circuit.
The most fun workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this year was crust cruising in New Zealand with my U.S Ski Team teammates as well as my SMS T2 teammates.
This is at least my fifth time in Switzerland and I don’t even know how many times racing internationally, and so far it’s been incredible!
One difference I’ve noticed between Switzerland and the U.S. is that they speak four different languages in Switzerland.
Skiing and racing in the Alps is beautiful! Usually racing at altitude is okay for me because even though I don’t feel good racing at altitude, I have had some strong results at altitude. There are no big mountains around where I live.
One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is racing with my teammates and good friends, and having an awesome staff here working super hard to help us achieve our goals!
One race I’m especially targeting there is the skate sprint.
I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Sweden and ask them what they do for training.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the fresh eggs and good Swiss cheese.
Fondue is yummy. The cheese here is delicious. And the chocolate is tasty.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it backcountry skiing.
The first U.S. women’s team to podium at Junior World Championships: (from left to right) Hailey Swirbul, Katharine Ogden, Hannah Halvorsen, and Julia Kern, after placing third in the women’s 4 x 3.3 k at 2017 Junior World Championships at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. (Photo: FlyingPointRoad.com)
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