Update #5 from Joelle

This season, we’re following the progress of a young ski racer from Canmore, Joelle Sevigny, in our Adopt-a-Skier program sponsored by Lifesport. Here’s Update 5:

In my last update, I mentioned that I was working on improving my technique. I am now starting to see some results as I start to feel stronger and more controlled while I ski. Some of the tips I’ve been given are greatly helping and gradually I am applying my new skills during races.

In late February, Westerns were held in Grande Prairie, but sadly I was still recovering from a cold and my energy levels were low. In the 2.5 km prologue I finished 10th not feeling too good and the next day for the 10 km interval start classic I told myself to not worry about results. Instead, I focused on having a good technique while keeping a high momentum. It was hard and the second lap wasn’t very joyful, however after the race, I was happy I finished and came in 9th overall. For the last race, a skate mass start, I decided to not compete so I wouldn’t deplete my system too much and affect the rest of my season.

In the weeks following, recovery took its sweet time but when the Alberta Cups 7 and 8 rolled out, I was ready. On March 9th, it was the 1.1 km classic sprint as well as my first sprint of the year. During my qualifier, I felt a little out of pace because momentum is very different from long distances. The grip wax was also tricky on south facing hills and I double poled most of them. My first heat was not what I expected; I was boxed in and couldn’t sprint the last 100 meters to my full capacity.

In the next heats, I made sure this didn’t happen. From there I went on to the finals where I finished second in the Junior Girls category. On Sunday in the 5 km interval start skate race, our course was on the Salt-Lake trail, a rolling course with fun corners and even though I was extremely tired from the sprints, I had fun and finished fourth. The weather was amazing and it was great seeing my ski buddies from other parts of the province.

Being in the final stretch of the racing season, I am eager to arrive in Whistler for the 2013 Nationals. Skiing on trails I have never seen before should be a great challenge and a cool feeling since it is on the Vancouver 2010 Olympics site! My goal is to finish top 10 in the Junior Girls 1 category. Stay tuned for my final update early April!