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Tag: Canmore 15 k classic mass start

  • Notes and Quotes: Canadian Edition from Day 1 in Canmore

    Notes and Quotes: Canadian Edition from Day 1 in Canmore

    Coverage of the Alberta World Cup made possible through the generous support of Travel Alberta and Tourism Canmore.

    Alberta World Cup Academy/Canadian Senior Development Team members Kevin Sandau (r) and Graeme Killick (c) and Erik Bjornsen (U.S. Ski Team) charge up a climb about halfway through the Alberta World Cup men’s 15 k classic mass start on Thursday.

    CANMORE, Alberta – Twenty-nine Canadians, count them, put their bodies to the test Thursday in the first of three races at the Alberta World Cup. On tap was the 10- and 15-kilometer classic mass starts – not the easiest format to start with, especially not on Canmore’s challenging mini loops.

    The women worked their way around the stadium three times and the men did four loops, and by the end, some slurred their speech, others didn’t want to rehash the suffer-fest, and guys like Devon Kershaw had a hard time seeing.

    But the course was the same for everybody, and just think of how some of those nation’s group skiers felt. Even though several of the Canadians hail from Canmore, it didn’t make it much easier out there, certainly not for some in their first World Cup races (or first in a few years).

    “Rough day to have a rough day,” said 21-year-old Patrick Stewart-Jones of the Alberta World Cup Academy (AWCA), which is located on-site at the Canmore Nordic Centre, after finishing 58th in his first World Cup.

    “There is no forgiveness in the World Cup,” he added. “I felt decent at the start, but after that, the wheels came off a little. I can’t be too disappointed, I just did a World Cup and I finished, and it was a beautiful day.”

    His teammate, Graeme Killick, who is on Canada’s Senior Development Team (NST) as well, had done two World Cups in Otepää, Estonia, two seasons ago. Those didn’t really count, he said, after placing 40th on Thursday.

    “I look on this as kind of my debut,” Killick said. “I’ve only done one World Cup, it was before U23s in Estonia, it wasn’t the greatest for me. … [Today was a] good experience, for sure. Couple things I might improve on. All in all, it was good.”

    Something out of his control was breaking a pole on the first lap. After the finish, he still had one labeled “Newell.”

    “Someone’s leg went through [my pole at] the bottom on the first lap,” Killick explained. “Luckily I got a pole pretty quick.”

    Anne-Marie Comeau (Pierre-Harvey National Training Centre) en route to placing 46th in her first World Cup on Thursday in Canmore, Alberta. The 16-year-old was the second top Canadian female in the 10 k classic mass start.

    The youngest of the Canadian bunch, Anne-Marie Comeau of the Pierre-Harvey National Training Centre (CNEPH) had one of the best results in 46th. She was just over a minute behind the top Canadian female, Brittany Webster (Highlands Trailblazers) in 38th, and Comeau’s only 16. (She turns 17 on Jan. 6).

    “It is hard, but I like the trails here,” Comeau said. “It is bonne [French for ‘good’] to race against the best in the … countries.”

    As for the 15 k skiathlon she plans to start Sunday: “I don’t expect anything,” Comeau said. “I just want to have fun and no stress.”

    Far more experienced as a former Canadian National Team member, Webster, 25, said she felt the same.

    “It’s great to be able to get this one out of the way,” Webster said in her first World Cup since racing in Canmore in February 2010. Back then, she placed 57th in a 10 k skate race.

    “What I really like about this, too, is they made all [the distance races] mass start,” Webster added. “I think for Canadians and the U.S. Ski Team, it’s really good for us to have that opportunity because if you’re doing an individual start, you don’t get to see the pace as much. You’re kind of skiing your own race more so. It’s great to be able to ski with a whole crowd of girls and sort of see where they’re at, see how they climb the hills and see how they double pole and everything like that. It helps you race faster.”

    Emily Nishikawa (AWCA/NST), who was 48th, said the spectators also helped.

    “It was a great experience, really cool to have so many fans out here,” she said. “It was just so loud with all the crowd cheering.  It was really cool to race on our home turf.  I was really happy about that.”

    In terms of racing, she’s hoping for a better result in Saturday’s skate sprint or Sunday’s skiathlon.

    “I started a little bit fast … but my body was a little tired today and I lost a little on the last two laps,” Nishikawa said.

    Another AWCA and Senior Development skier, Kevin Sandau placed 39th and said he was happy with how his body felt considering.

    “I was able to really push over the hills so that was good for me,” he said. “I was hoping to be a bit closer to the leaders. Kind of midway through the race, I made a few bad tactical choices just with lane choices on the hills, so learn from that for the 30k. … If I can build on today, that should be a better day.”

    Eighteen-year-old Frédérique Vézina (CNEPH) simply followed the lead of others in her first World Cup, putting her 51st.

    “It was pretty tough, but really nice to see how fast those girls go,” she said. “The fastest in the world are here, it was nice to complete against them. … It was just a good experience.”

    One spot behind her, 19-year-old Julia Ransom of the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre in Canmore was somewhat surprised with placing 52nd.

    “I think it was a little better than I was expecting actually. I am happy with how I placed, in terms of Canadians,” she said. “I was so excited just to race. Getting onto the top uphill I just realized how much fun skiing is, how much fun racing is.  I went in with no expectations and just went out and had fun.”

    Back in the game, Frédéric Touchette (CNEPH/NST) placed 54th in his first World Cup since 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia (where he was 21st in a 30 k pursuit and 33rd in a classic sprint).

    “I haven’t raced much in the last two years because I was injured,” he said. “I am kind of getting back in the racing mode. I am not in as good shape as three years ago, but it is getting back. It is fun.”

    — Gerry Furseth contributed reporting

    Canadian women’s results | Canadian men’s results

     

  • Led by Harvey and Freeman, Canadian & U.S. Men on the Upswing

    Led by Harvey and Freeman, Canadian & U.S. Men on the Upswing

    Coverage of the Canmore World Cups was made possible through the generous support of Travel Alberta and Tourism Canmore.

    Italy’s Roland Clara (l) and Noah Hoffman (r) among the leaders on the second of four laps in the Alberta World Cup 15 k classic mass start Thursday in Canmore. Hoffman went on to place 22nd and Clara was 15th.

    CANMORE, Alberta – A lot can happen in a four-lap mass start around the Canmore Nordic Centre. Just ask American Andy Newell, who collided with Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby at the end of the first lap. Or Newell’s teammate Noah Hoffman, who worked his way from 30th to lead halfway through, then faded back to 22nd.

    Add two sprint bonuses to the mix and you’ve got one unforgiving 15-kilometer classic race on arguably the toughest courses on the World Cup circuit. Having a bad day? Good luck.

    Canadian National Team members Alex Harvey (17) and Ivan Babikov (8) skiing together early in the Alberta World Cup 15 k classic mass start in Canmore.

    Alex Harvey thought just that as he warmed up Thursday. The top Canadian at last weekend’s Québec World Cup sprints in 21st, Harvey had less pressure riding on him in Canmore, but was still hoping to perform after a less-than-satisfactory start to his season.

    But in training, he just wasn’t feeling it. Four days after arriving in Canmore, about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level, he was still trying to transition from the 70-meter-high sprint course in Québec City.

    “It’s either the third or the fourth day that it really hits you at altitude,” Harvey said. “I guess for me it was the fourth day.”

    Regardless, he put himself in position to contend and hung on to finish a season best 11th on Thursday. It wasn’t easy to do in Canmore, and he thought hard about his strategy beforehand.

    “I was like, ‘Hey, I’m gonna have to ski smart the first couple laps, kind of drift a bit on the uphills, let other guys go by me and then work my way back in the group on the flats,’ which is what I did,” Harvey said. “I think it paid in the end. First time up the incline I was feeling pretty tired already.”

    Just 20.2 seconds back from the winner, Tim Tscharnke of Germany (who won in 41:14.8), Harvey had started in bib 17 and stayed patient while hanging around the top 10. He followed the lead of teammate Ivan Babikov, who pushed hard out of the start with the first seeded group. The two skied together early in the race and remained within the top 20 for most of it.

    Meanwhile, Newell worked his way toward the front of the first lap right behind Babikov, but fell out of contention on the downhill into the stadium. Harvey continued to pace himself while several others blew up.

    “Coming from sea level, it felt really fast. It felt hard,” Harvey said. “It was really painful the whole way … [but] I think the body needed a hard workout. We didn’t do any intensity workouts since Québec just because it was a such a short time between the races. Still, 11th is my best race of the season so I’m happier.”

    Freeman (USA) skiing to 14th place in the Alberta World Cup 15 k classic mass start on Thursday in Canmore, Alberta.

    Another North American notching a season best, U.S Ski Team veteran Kris Freeman (Maine Winter Sports Center) tallied 14th, 33.9 seconds back, for his top Canmore World Cup finish (he was 18th in a 15 k skate in 2005).

    After skiing within or close to the top 10, the 32-year-old Freeman dropped off the pace slightly on the last gradual uphill. He had worked hard to get his own track and contend with the leaders, and had little energy left on the multi-tiered climb.

    “I hate saying that it’s still early in the season; hopefully that last gear will come around,” Freeman said. “The good news is I blew up with two k to go and only dropped from 10th to 14th so that’s OK, I guess.”

    Without an individual top 30 this season before Thursday, Freeman said this result was a good sign.

    “It was … important to get in the top 15 today and prove to myself that I belong here and get some confidence rolling,” he said. “It’s a solid race. I would’ve loved to have been able to hang with the leaders, but just that last little bit wasn’t there.”

    U.S. head coach Chris Grover said the team didn’t have its best day Thursday, but several athletes scored individual victories: Hoffman (Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/Team HomeGrown) learned what it was like to lead a World Cup and Erik Bjornsen (Alaska Pacific University) tallied his top individual result in 36th.

    “I’m proud of him for regrouping,” Grover said of Hoffman, who lost contact with the leaders after the first sprint bonus around 6 k. “He was definitely hurting on the third lap, but he pulled it back together and hung on for quite a good finish. That was great for him and nice to see Freeman kind of back in the mix. Really excited also to see Erik Bjornsen having a strong race for a young guy. He’s going to be one to watch for the future.”

    While Hoffman was disappointed with his result, stating “I just blew to pieces the third time up the big hill,” he wouldn’t have changed much except maybe letting a few guys go ahead for the preem rather than try to stick with them.

    Ivan Babikov (second from l) and Andy Newell (directly behind) up front shortly after the start of the Alberta World Cup 15 k classic mass start on Thursday in Canmore.

    “I spent what I had too early,” Hoffman said.

    On the other end of the spectrum, Bjornsen smiled broadly after racing for the first time Canmore. He said he struggled on the third lap, but caught a second wind on the fourth.

    “I was super excited my first couple laps, skiing with the group and stuff and feeling comfortable,” he said. “They kind of made a kick at the top of the hill for the BMW points and I think that’s kind of where I dropped off.”

    Regardless, he skied with and passed iconic skiers like Maurice Manificat of France (who started in the first group in bib 4 and ended up 44th).

    “It was just fun to ski with some World Cup guys,” Bjornsen said. “Saw Manificat in the group and I said, ‘All right, I’m tucking behind this guy,’ so I skied behind him for a lap, like, this is nuts. It was a blast.”

    Canadians Make Progress

    Among the more seasoned racers closer to the front, Canadian Devon Kershaw wasn’t particularly pleased with placing 17th. On the flip side, his all-time best in Canmore was 16th, he said.

    “I know this course like the back of my hand, but man, it smacks me pretty good every time I race here,” Kershaw said. “I’ve just never been able to translate it to a great race.

    Devon Kershaw (CAN) rounding a corner in the Alberta World Cup 15 k classic mass start on Thursday in Canmore. Kershaw placed 17th.

    “I gave it everything I could and that’s all you can do,” he added. “Am I happy with 17th? Absolutely not. This is my favorite race, 15 k classic, and I wanted to feel better than that today.”

    A hefty amount of racing and traveling had taken its toll on Kershaw, and he was looking forward to getting away for two weeks of distance training in Europe before the Tour de Ski.

    “It’s an energy drain for sure to race at home, but at the same time, I’d rather be here than northern Scandinavia where it’s not even light, quotation marks, for three hours a day,” Kershaw said. “It’s a beautiful place to race and a beautiful place to come home to.”

    Babikov, who was 20th (+59.1) said he lost contact with the group around the same time Hoffman charged for the bonus (where Hoffman was fourth for eight bonus points). Before that, Babikov said he felt good on the first and second laps. His body just didnt’ respond at the end.

    “It’s just the beginning of the season or the third weekend,” Babikov said. “For now it’s just a matter of the shape, who’s where, like who’s feeling what, and we just try to ski smooth. Just trying to relax and ski in the points.”

    A cast-free Lenny Valjas (CAN) racing to 24th in the  15 k classic mass start on Thursday in Canmore. It was his first time not wearing a brace since breaking a bone in his hand in November.

    Not far behind, Canadian sprinter Lenny Valjas notched a notable distance result in 24th (+1:20.5). It was his first race without wearing a cast for his injured hand, and he said he felt great.

    “It was a tough course, tough day, but I am happy with the result,” Valjas said. For this weekend, that’s it for distance races. He’ll do the freestyle sprint on Saturday but skip the 30 k skiathlon on Sunday.

    “I will be watching and cheering,” Valjas said. “Too long for me.”

    As for what happened to Newell, who placed 59th of 63, he explained the poorly timed pile up.

    “I was feeling great for the first part if the race and somehow moved up into the top 3 or 4 without even trying too hard,” he wrote in an email. “Martin Sundby just kind of jumped in front if me on the big downhill into the stadium and we had a long slide together and hit really tangled up. So we went from the top few skiers to the very back and lost a ton if time.

    “We both tried to catch back up and ski back to the pack but it was tough to bridge the gap,” he added. “In the end Sundby ended up pulling the plug. I tried to hang in there and ski it in the last two laps but was not moving quickly.”

    Canadian Jesse Cockney (Alberta World Cup Academy) said he’d put this race far behind him after placing 63rd. His teammate Graham Nishikawa called it downright hard after placing 38th (+2:22.7).

    “I tried to hang with the lead group for as long as possible, but blew up on the third lap,” Nishikawa wrote in an email. “Overall I am happy, I went for it.”

    Other top Canadians include Kevin Sandau (39th), Graeme Killick (40th), David Greer (47th) and Brian McKeever (49th). Tad Elliott was 46th for the U.S. men and David Norris (Montana State University) placed 48th to make the top 50.

    — Topher Sabot and Gerry Furseth contributed reporting

    ***

    Men’s results | International recap

  • Tscharnke Motors to First World Cup Victory, Leads Germans in Canmore

    Tscharnke Motors to First World Cup Victory, Leads Germans in Canmore

    Coverage of the Canmore World Cups was made possible through the generous support of Travel Alberta and Tourism Canmore.

    Germany’s Tim Tscharnke celebrates his 23rd birthday with a World Cup win in Thursday’s 15 k classic mass start in Canmore, Alberta. It was his first individual podium, and he was joined by Sjur Roethe (NOR) in second and teammate Tobias Angerer in third.

    CANMORE, Alberta – Thursday was a good one for Tim Tscharnke before it started. On his 23rd birthday, the German had some basic goals for the men’s 15-kilometer classic mass start, but once he realized how fast his skis were and how good he was feeling, he dug a little deeper.

    Following close behind 35-year-old teammate Tobias Angerer, who last skied in Canmore at the 1997 Junior World Ski Championships (where he tallied two distance top 30s), Tscharnke searched within himself on the last of four laps for something, anything else.

    Tscharnke (GER) sits tight before punching hard near the finish to win the Alberta World Cup 15 k classic mass start Thursday in Canmore.

    “[I] realized I had some more petrol,” Tscharnke said in a press conference.

    The extra gas and timing turned out to be key as Tscharnke skied away on the final climb and held off his contenders on the following flat. He then double poled like crazy down into the stadium, throwing his arms up at the finish and nearly buckling at the knees at his birthday achievement. It was Tscharnke’s first World Cup victory and first individual podium.

    He finished in 41:14.8, considerably slower than most World Cup 15 k courses and a testament to its difficulty at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level. Roethe trailed 4.8 seconds behind and notched second for his first World Cup podium. Angerer took third (+5.8), an individual World Cup best (outside of stages) as well.

    Three Germans made the top six, after Hannes Dotzler held his own near the front early in the race and placed sixth (+9.3) behind Russia’s Evgeniy Belov in fourth (+6.2) and Italy’s Giorgio Di Centa in fifth (+8.7).

    Belov, 22, was in the running for the podium before Roethe outsprinted him and Angerer to the line. Di Centa, 40, remained competitive throughout the race in his 227th World Cup start.

    “We were very strong as a team today,” Tscharnke said in a press conference. “We had very good skis.”

    Feeds also worked for the Germans, who appeared to be among the few taking them. Angerer dropped outside the top 15 near the end of the second lap when he took one, and teammate Thomas Bing was vying for the lead before taking a feed just before that.

    A few minutes later, Bing regained his spot behind Norwegian leaders Chris Andre Jespersen and Roethe and next to Emil Jönsson (SWE). Meanwhile, Angerer worked his way to the front and was the second to Belov at the bonus preem at 9.7 k. Angerer took the lead for the final lap as Belov followed, and by the high point of the course, Tscharnke stuck behind his teammate to get in the top three. More than five seconds back with two kilometers to go, Dotzler, Russia’s Andrey Larkov, Di Centa, Roethe and Jespersen tried to catch up.

    Norwegians Sjur Roethe (l) and Chris Andre Jespersen (r) set the pace with Roland Clara (ITA) and Emil Jonsson (SWE) close behind in the first half of the 15 k classic mass start.

    Speed turned out to be on the Germans’ side, as Angerer and Tscharnke sandwiched Belov and dropped him in the final kilometer.

    “The downhills were our friends, not our enemy,” Tscharnke said.

    The chase pack absorbed Belov on the final downhill and Roethe skied around him to catch Angerer before the finish.

    Tscharnke said he “could not have hoped for a better result,” and Angerer said the Germans’ performance, with several taking turns up front, was a must for team morale. Jens Filbrich finished 13th (+31.2), and Bing was ultimately 21st (+1:10.1).

    “Today was the first time this season that we showed everyone that we are in good performance,” Angerer said. “The first two weeks we were a little tired. We trained a lot.

    “For me, I need to get the confidence in the mass starts to see if I can do the right things in the right place,” he added. “Today was good. … [I] wish every World Cup could be here.”

    Roethe echoed the enthusiasm after outsprinting Angerer and Belov to the finish.

    “I have had a few fourth places in the World Cup,” the 24-year-old said. “Finally I reached the podium. A little hard in the first lap, [but the] third and fourth, I felt really good.”

    ***

    Also: Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR) in bib No. 1 crashed on a downhill at the end of the first lap and later withdrew from the race. Larkov ended up seventh, Jespersen placed eighth and Jonsson was ninth.

    Alex Harvey led the Canadians in 11th for his best result this season, and Kris Freeman (USA) went from skiing in the top 10 to finishing 14th for his best performance of 2012/2013 as well.

    — Topher Sabot contributed reporting

    ***

    Men’s 15 k classic mass start results