June 20, 2012 (Canmore, AB) – On this version of Talkin’ with the Gravy-Train, Peter Graves caught up with Canadian XC Ski Head Coach, Justin Wadsworth, who enjoyed one of the most successful seasons ever for the Canadian team, especially the men. With 14 podiums, the Canadian team turned heads at nearly every World Cup following the Tour de Ski. It seems the only goal not achieved was a spot on the final Tour de Ski podium…but they more than made up for this as the team scored a slew of firsts including first WCup [full] sprint gold by Devon Kershaw, first WCup gold by Alex Harvey, first WCup medal by Lenny Valjas – make that three WCup medals for the rookie, and the first WCup by podium by Perianne Jones. Of course Chandra Crawford’s sprint silver can’t go unnoticed along with Dasha Gaiazova’s PB’s this season and more. Was Wadsworth surprised… ? Find out his reactions and insights into the team, the skiers, and what’s in store for 2013 as he talks at length with Peter Graves… in this 2-part interview.
Alex Harvey is far from being an amateur athlete—all the Athlete of the Year awards he has won in Quebec are taking in to consideration all levels of athletes in all sports, NHL included. Where he is earning more then $100,000 a year through racing, supplier contracts, sponsorships and gov’t dollars, it is as from my definition of what constitutes an amateur. In the eyes of the IOC that word(amateur) is dead—-it is not in there code anymore.
I can tell you the skiers of the 70s in the US loved Kochies medal—it opened the flood gates of $$s from suppliers and soon after the FIS gave the skiers access to the logo on the hat—amateurism was dead.
![Camp Mercier is a pure xc ski-and-snowshoe resort with fabulous terrain surrounded by a coniferous forest. [P] Camp Mercier](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mercier_097-298x257.jpg "Camp Mercier is a pure xc ski-and-snowshoe resort with fabulous terrain surrounded by a coniferous forest. [P] Camp Mercier")
![K-Country: stunning terrain and amazing ski options will keep you coming back for more. [P] Kananaskis Country](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/77_0249-298x205.jpg "K-Country: stunning terrain and amazing ski options will keep you coming back for more. [P] Kananaskis Country")
![Kids and families are welcome. [P] Trapp Family Lodge](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/5553a-298x221.jpg "Kids and families are welcome. [P] Trapp Family Lodge")
![A cross-country skiers paradise... endless trails, breathtaking scenery and fabulous accommodations[P]Don Portman"](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sunmtn1-298x197.jpg "A cross-country skiers paradise... endless trails, breathtaking scenery and fabulous accommodations[P]Don Portman\"")
![Emil Hegle Svendsen of Norway scores at Fort Kent. [P] Herb Swanson](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Sevendsen-10KM-Sprint-FK_004.2-125x125.jpg "Emil Hegle Svendsen of Norway scores at Fort Kent. [P] Herb Swanson")
![Perianne Jones (Nakkertok/NST) [P] Jesse Winter file photo](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Perianne-Jones.2-125x125.jpg "Perianne Jones (Nakkertok/NST) [P] Jesse Winter file photo")
![Russia celebrates relay victory... [P] Judy Geer](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Russia-Celebrates-IMG_2630-125x125.jpg "Russia celebrates relay victory... [P] Judy Geer")
June 24th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Alex Harvey is far from being an amateur athlete—all the Athlete of the Year awards he has won in Quebec are taking in to consideration all levels of athletes in all sports, NHL included. Where he is earning more then $100,000 a year through racing, supplier contracts, sponsorships and gov’t dollars, it is as from my definition of what constitutes an amateur. In the eyes of the IOC that word(amateur) is dead—-it is not in there code anymore.
I can tell you the skiers of the 70s in the US loved Kochies medal—it opened the flood gates of $$s from suppliers and soon after the FIS gave the skiers access to the logo on the hat—amateurism was dead.