Women's 15km Pursuit

Another glorious day in Whistler ! Sunscreen is mandatory now. Even an early marshal Yoga session....

When the Jury skied by this morning before the course opened for the official practice at 9am... I was able to ask one of the Jury members if the courses met the approval of the previous days scrutiny: "absolutely perfect, " Thomas (SWE) declared. I almost melted with relief and pride. Quickly passed the praise on to Simon Smith who as head of the overnight shift was just putting the tools away.

Not many women warming up on the race trails during the morning time slot. Instead we saw more men, half CC and half NC skiers as the crowds started to arrive with their valued spectator passes. I gather that the women chose to warm-up on the 'recreational trails' - Top of the World, or Madelly Creek and Norwegian Woods. These trails are now closed to the public, but are some of the most stunningly beautiful trails - with views of the mountains, cathedral fir trees and cascading rocky creeks. Coming from the east, what I find most amazing is the depth of snow...the walls the groomers leave are 4-6 feet of solid snow high...even this year, the year of no new snow in 2 months.

Met quite a number of ski friends in the spectator crowd, James Young (Ottawa), Claire Rennie and her beau (Ottawa/Boseman), Maureen Bretz and son Matt (Toronto), Wendy Hanssen and family (Sault Ste Marie/Vancouver). Quite well organized, the access includes bus transport from Vancouver return. They all seemed totally stoked to be on site !

At one o'clock the gun fired and the pre-calculated-chevron-shaped-FIS-points-based Mass Start swarmed off the start grid. Sara Renner's FIS points did not let her enjoy the privilege of being in the Red Group - the top 22 seeded racers, but managed to get herself into the lead pack by the time Dirk and I saw her (.6 kms into the race). How this is possible on a straight up hill grind, with only four groomed classic tracks - I wasn't privy to see. Dasha who started not far behind Sara was in the middle of the field, followed by tip-2-tail sky striders Madelaine and Peri.

Two laps of the red classic, and then into transition zone - skate blue course. Each lap was 3.75kms.

The lead pack included Marit Bjoergen, Justyna Kowalczyk, Kristin Steira, Anna Haag, Aurore Cuinet, Olga Rotcheva, Marianna Longa, Arianna Follis, Theresa Johaug, Christine Kalle, Sara Renner, Evi Sachenbacher, and Olga Savialova.

Sara known more for her classic strength sure didn't let up after the exchange to skate. And coming into the final climb in a pack of three....it was exhilarating to see her win with in her group. A photo finish with Evi Sachenbacher...Sara secured the crucially important Sports Canada top 10 !

Here chatting with best friend, Gold medallist and well-advanced in pregnancy Becky Scott - our countries xc heroine, teamate Perianne Jones, coachs Dave Woods and Eric De Nies.

Back in Whistler, the streets are packed. Music is playing on every street corner, improv-skits and interactive crowd pleasers help make this a fun place to be. This photo shows you a bit of the it...with the backside of Maria Reisch (downhill combined Gold) as she walks out of the Roots store where I had to purchase a new watch.