December 26, 2012 (Davos, Switzerland) – It’s been a busy December. Of note, I guess I should highlight that I am now officially “in my thirties” and I’m happy to be the 5^th billion person to let you know that the world did not end on the 21^st as the Mayans believed – meaning my slow decline will continue. Next stop: my forties (yes, that’s me shuddering).

What most people that have accidently stumbled here will know that this past December Canada again welcomed the world of cross-country skiing. Joining Canmore on the bill this year was Quebec City – the province’s first-ever World Cup competition. It was a busy couple weeks in Canada and I was so impressed with the passion, commitment and professionalism of all the volunteers and organizing committees. Thank you so much for being so instrumental in the development of ski racing Canada.

mazing vibes, amazing course - tough racing conditions (really soft/surgary as you can see) - but all around unreal racing in Quebec City. © Nordic Focus

Let’s start in Quebec…
Ok. I have been racing for a long, long time. Recall: I’m 30 (Jesus that sounds weird…). Maybe you’re sitting there thinking that there’s no way Devon gets nervous anymore. That’d be false. When you’re as neurotic as I am, I can assure you that I do. Oh yeah. I still cannot decide what long underwear to wear – even after all these years. Yet, in my entire career I have never been as nervous as I was for the team sprint in Quebec City.

Since the Quebec City World Cups were announced I was really looking forward to seeing how it would be. Quebec City is such a beautiful place and with so many passionate and educated xc ski fans, I somehow knew it would be amazing.

It became real when red-eyed, tired and out-of-it I stumbled off the plane in Quebec City into a press conference. For Canadian cross-country skiing. At first I thought I was making the whole thing up – but after about the 158^th flash that went off in front of Alex I knew I was indeed awake. Wow. Quebec was amped.

We (Alex, Len and I) spent the early part of the week at Alex’s house Mont-Ste-Anne hanging out and training before coming back down to Quebec for the races on the weekend. Anyone that doesn’t believe in global warming should have been out with Alex, Len and I as we rollerskied in early December through the streets of MSA. I’ve never seen that before and that was the one bummer about the week in Quebec – no natural snow. Quebec City is just such a fantastic winter city!

The course was laid out in “old Quebec” on the steps of the historic parliament buildings and as fluffy as it sounds – it really was magical. Lots of turns, lots of action – the organizing committee (Gestev) did a bang-up job. Everything was top shelf – the hotel was extremely close to venue, the food great, a great course… great everything really. I was more than impressed.

Yet, what impressed me the most was the absolute stoke-level of everyone there to watch the races. Which brings me back to the reason why I was so damn nervous. There were thousands upon thousands of folks down trackside cheering, yipping and fired right up like wild hyenas on a savannah carcass. I knew that Alex is a big deal in the Q. I’ve seen and read the 12-page spreads in the newspapers – but I wasn’t prepared for that! I haven’t felt energy like that on a course since racing at Holmenkollen.

Another shot of the action in Quebec City. © Nordic Focus

As I warmed up for the team sprint it was hard to stay chill. Everyone was so stoked, cheering Alex’s name over and over – I knew they expected a podium. What wasn’t helping was that every time I’d close my eyes all I could see was myself crashing, breaking equipment, having a dead/slow body – and all those fans there to watch Alex rip it up with that disappointed look. Merde.

I somehow warmed up, did my thing and raced. The first lap of the ½ final I was still freaking – not focused at all and too nervous, but as the racing continued I started to feel better and better and I thankfully didn’t cause a Quebec riot – and while Alex fell on his last lap in the finals – we still settled for a respectable 5^th.

The next day’s individual sprint was atrocious. Again, I was nervous – but more “normal” nervous, as I only had to answer to myself – and it ended up being one of those days – one of those bad days where your body isn’t there. Conditions were soft and rutted, and I negotiated some turns very poorly, almost falling a couple times and ended up outside of the top 30.

I was so disappointed – it was crazy. I wanted so badly to race in front of the almost 30,000 fans – and I couldn’t believe it ended up being a “one and done” sprint. As hard as it was watching the rounds from the sidelines, it was so cool to see so many passionate fans screaming and yelling for everyone. In Canada. I never thought I’d see the day.

Biggest thanks to those friends and family that made the trip to watch in Quebec. I wasn’t able to catch up with all of you (man, racing in Canada is SO busy?!) – but it touched me deeply that you came out.

DK in Canmore... © Nordic Focus

Canmore
I had to park my extreme disappointment. Canmore came fast. If you haven’t been to Canmore and you are a cross-country skier – go. That first ski I did at home at the Canmore Nordic Centre I think I felt some tears well up. It was showing off. Blue skies, perfect grooming and wonderfully long loops greeted me with open arms. I know I’m biased – I’ve lived in Canmore for over 10 years now – but there’s no better World Cup venue on the planet. It’s perfect.

The racing started mid-week and first up was my favorite race we do – a 15km classic mass start. Canmore’s courses are notoriously difficult. Coupled with altitude, it can be a killer. That I know all too well as I am actually embarrassed to admit I’ve never had a good race there in my entire career. Still – I was happy to ski in those perfectly groomed tracks in front of familiar friends and family.

I guess my legs didn’t get that memo – and I never was able to feel comfortable out there. I just didn’t have good sensations in the body and to add insult to injury, about 2km from the line my body completely exploded. My vision blurred, my balance was off – and next thing you knew I was in complete survival mode limping in – just trying to stay upright. I ended the day a disappointing 17^th.

That effort ended up being the killer of period #1. I just never recovered. I hadn’t been feeling great all season long (thus far) – and while I’ve had a few “ok” races, I just haven’t felt “good” yet. That night after the 15km I felt like I had raced a marathon in Thailand, I was knackered. The next morning when I was testing skis for the sprint – I had nothing in the body, no energy. I bombarded my psyche with positive self-talk – willing myself to recover and feel ready to go for Saturday’s sprint competitions.

I guess you can’t hustle a hustler. And when you aren’t even a hustler to begin with, it’s even harder. After about 20sec of that sprint qualifier it was apparent that no amount of positive self-talk was going to get it done. My velocity was just so damn slow and it showed. I ended up 50^th. God damn, I was bummed out.

Even my long, nasty hair couldn't pull me through - trying to recover on Canmore's tough courses © Nordic Focus

Merry Christmas everyone!
I wish I was a good enough self-editor and just end it right there – since it is Christmas day and no doubt you have better things to do – but I won’t (I hope that’s a big glass of egg nog in your hand!).

At present, I’m in Davos, Switzerland preparing away for the Tour de Ski with the crew (Babs, Alex, Lenny and our osteo Hutchy). Davos is awesome. Beautiful weather, great snow conditions, breathtaking views and some easy-living days. It’s a “feel good” place for me that’s for sure, and after the hectic and disappointing days back in Canada it feels good to be here.

I felt really tired after all the travel/racing/training in period #1 and I’ve been mentally and physically recovering here in Switzerland. Hey – it takes guys in their thirties a little longer to bounce back I guess. It’s the standard fare here in Davos – our unofficial Euro-base – we are busy crushing saunas, enjoying beautiful skis, hitting ‘sspros and waffles at the Klatsch, and a cheese fondue or two may or may not have been consumed as well. I had a great birthday with awesome teammates and Kristin and big thanks to Christian of Toko/Swix for showing us an amazing spot in the town of Monstein for dinner one night.

Everyone is pretty excited for the upcoming Tour de Ski. I’m still not feeling 100% rested and ready, but the World Cup waits for no one – and regardless how prepared/rested I feel, I will hit the start line on the 29^th. I love the Tour de Ski more than any other race we do as xc ski racers, so there’s always that. It’s just such a beautiful competition – encompassing everything a skier should aspire to be into one format.

Babs striding and gliding here in Davos © Devon Kershaw

Christmas eve at the Kulm here in Davos. Like I said, some cheese fondue may or may not have been decimated © Devon Kershaw

Yep! Our afternoon haunt. © Devon Kershaw

Here's why. © Devon Kershaw

he beautiful views that greet us daily here in Davos. A great place to get ready for such a tough competition (the Tour de Ski) © Devon Kershaw

On the “fun-side” of things there’s not a ton of new stuff going on. I’m still listening to the same podcasts  (This American Life, Planet Money, All Songs Considered). One new album (to me anyway) worth listening to (her voice is pretty amazing) is Sera Cahoone’s “Deer Creek Canyon. I don’t know what it is about it – it’s super folky/chill/acoustic but I find it accompanies that “I feel like I spend my entire life traveling” feeling I have these days.

A couple nights ago we watched the Bo Jackson ESPN 30for30 and that was really rad too. Check it out if you get a chance. I’m reading a novel that’s not that great (Before I go to sleep by  S.J. Watson) that I am committed to getting through along with my weekly New Yorker fix. If you missed the December 3^rd edition (the food one) I recommend it. The article about the best bread in Paris reminded me of McMurr (teammate and good friend Brent McMurtry who loves all things food and especially bread), haha.

That’s the deal. Hope everyone is enjoying a family filled, beautiful and enjoyably awesome Christmas. Sending my very best “Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays from here at the good ol’ Kulm Hotel – on the top of Wolfgang pass here in Davos, Switzerland. Now I’m off for a Christmas day afternoon ski under those stellar Swiss Alps.

Peace peace y’all.

Devon.