I've been home for just under a week now and realized I owe an update from the last race. It was a 15km continuous pursuit. This means the race begins as a mass start in classic, ski 7.5 km, switch to skate skis (same boots) and poles, and go out to do another 7.5km skate. The order you cross the line is how you place.
The classic course was a 3.75km loop that we did twice. It had a flatter beginning which was good in a mass start so everyone doesn't come to a hill and get all bunched up. The pace off the start was a little faster than I anticipated it to be... I'm not sure why I thought it would be slower...it's worlds! haha, anyways, I got detached from the lead group with a few other girls and we all tried to hack it out together. From the start I had some ground to make up because my seed in the start grid was rather far back. My classic portion of the race put me a little bit behind so I couldn't wait to get on my skate skis. We had already raced the skate course during the week so I knew what to expect. I was able to stick with teammate, Sara, for most of the first lap and then ended up battling it out with an American and girls from two other countries. I ended the race in 32nd. I really wanted a top 30 finish but I was pleased with the race.
The event as a whole was pretty unreal. I learned a lot from these speedy ladies and I hope to be able to qualify again next year. I have one more year as a U23 skier and then I'm just straight senior. Here are a few more pictures from the experience:
We ate dinner in this restaurant on the Superstar Ferry back to Helsinki
During the sprint qualifier - photo credit: Eric Bailey
During the 10km Skate race - Photo credit: Eric Bailey
Emily Nishikawa and myself, roomie for second half of the trip.
Alex Harvey winning the GOLD medal. It was really exciting to watch him ski the 30km pursuit and the tactics he used. Brought it right to the finishing stretch to make a move. At the ceremonies they raise the flags of the top three athletes and play the winner's national anthem. We sang louder than any other country the whole week. That's real pride, and everyone saw it. Go Canada!
Most of the crew on the last day at the race venue. SUCH a great group of talented, fun and hilarious athletes!
Patrick was our makeshift flag bearer as Alex won the race. Note the hockey stick.
A view from the back of the stadium, the final downhill that loops you around the whole stadium to the finish line and lap lanes. The yellow buildings were the wax cabins and home base for athletes. Being so close to the start line and the course in general made for easy and fast testing.
Myself after the last race.
Here is a video Graham Longford from Team Hardwood put together of Lenny, Jordan and myself racing in Europe over the last month. We all came up from Team Hardwood before joining our respective teams and this is a nice compilation of footage that I never actually got to see! My little segment is from the 10km skate race, bib 6. In the second half it shows one of the top girls passing me out on her first or second lap, as I try to pass another girl on my last lap. She was a machine! This is what I mean by how different the racing is. She's gung-ho from the first lap! I just think it's cool I was on TV somewhere..
I'm at about 6:30 on the time bar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dppJriwtr8
ENJOY!
Erin
P.s. What's next? I'm off to Ottawa for Canadian Eastern Championships on Wednesday in Ottawa. Looking forward to the mini-tour format (3 races) and seeing my Mom and a few friends. Then I head to Canada Winter Games on the 19th. Updates soon!
