November 27, 2012 – Good Start To The Season – Some fantastic results and some not so fantastic results would be the easy way to sum up the first two days of the new World Cup season. Blow away results in the 10km for the healing injured warrior Ms. Randall, her first distance podium in her career – definitely new territory for and her and the fasted time on her relay leg on Sunday. Holly Brooks – the same story – 5th place in the 10km and a very credible lead-off leg in the relay where the ladies were to stand on the podium again in 3rd place – another first time adventure.

The Canadian men led by Ivan”The Assassin” Babikov in 15th place in the 15km kept things looking good as the rest of the team had a case of the slows. Sunday was another story as the men used the new formatted relay (4X7.5km) to blow off the summer dust and vie for a podium finish— ending up in 5th place.

The American men and the Canadian women have definitely had better days – enough said.

Holly Brooks – I wonder if her feet have hit the ground yet. One of the big pluses on top of her results is the prize money she took home from her two days of racing – 3,600CH about the same in US$. Holly is on the “B” Team and receives no funding help from the USST – yepper, that’s right – nada, nyet, non, no help – yes, she might receive some help from NNF – but none from the ski team. So, she is making the task of supporting herself easier. Keep that pedal down Holly.

ps Two or three springs ago I had a call from John Farra, NPD, for the USST and he asked me a series questions and asked me to comment “no holds barred”! Took me a few seconds to switch gears and away we went – some stuff about altitude training and camps before the Worlds and Olympics, talked about a women’s program in Alaska for the summer, which turned into the present camp scenario, Seiser Alm, Italy was part of the discussion and there was other talk – not that important. At the end I said to John not to forget about the “old ladies” specifically Holly, as at that time I felt she had a big upside, and here she is. One other thing for her – I read her blogs all the time and what and how she writes tells me she will be one hell of a ski coach someday. Have a great winter – no falls please.

Canadian Women – It is a good thing they aren’t from the US, as this past weekend they would have been in West Yellowstone trying to earn a trip to the WCs in Quebec City and Canmore – enough said.

Back to the Relays – Both the US Women and the Canadian Men can win at the relay game, but I think their line-ups have to be different. One of the critical components of a relay team is that you have your best person last – both teams are now good enough that that position has to be dedicated (my opinion) to Kikkan and Devon. They both have all the qualities this person needs – they do both techniques well, sprint and distance well, handle mental acuity and toughness well, manage strategy and tactics well, and have the ability to find something extra. Both are ready to assume this position.

Now the pressure falls to the three other members to deliver the chance to fight for the gold. The women’s line-up for me is Diggins starting, Holly 2nd, Liz 3rd and Kikkan to anchor. While the men would be Harvey starting, Valjas #2, “The Assassin” 3rd and Devon to fight for the gold. These two teams are podium hunters every time they come to the start line for a relay. Oh, one more thing – the wax technicians – they are a critical part of these teams success and we should not forget that – or them. Like Kikkan said on Sunday, she wished she could take them to the podium with her.

Another Thing – Ivan (The Assassinbecause of his mustache look) is going home of course for the Canadian WCs – let him stay home a few extra days (to be with his family) and when he goes back to Europe he is there to stay. Last year he was an expense for the last part of the year – earning very few WC points (if any) because of too many trips back and forth to Canada. He is not only hurting himself, but his team and teammates. There is no 5th male in the pipe line like there is 5th and 6th women in the US women’s team. It is one hell of a drop off to the 5th man in Canada.

Last Thing – In the men’s relay there were five teams fighting for the last 2 podium spots as Northug went across the finish line essentially walking the last half km for the win and the top podium spot. It won’t be easy catching him. Oh, the next relay is Jan 19-20, 2013 in La Clusaz, France – stay tuned in for the excitement.

Talk To You Soon!
misterxc@aol.com