November 23, 2010 – Of the three relays run at this weekend’s WCup by the US and Canada, the Americans got one running order right and one wrong and the Canadians completely blew their running order for the men’s relay. Over the years from watching and putting together relay teams for both the USA and Canada (over 20 years experience) the process became evidently clear – get in the race and stay as close as you can for as long as you can. Good guys up front, the not so good at the end – that’s the way to do it!

Here is what I would have done differently – the men’s order for the US was perfect – and on top of that Andy Newell was magnificent. The US now has a starter ( the secret to success is a good starter). That the Canadians put George Gray first was a team decision I’m sure, but from his previous day’s results no way does he go anywhere but the last leg. Devon Kershaw should be the starter, whether he likes it or not. He has shown the ability to somehow stay in the race no matter what goes wrong. Last year at the Olympics he said he blew the first leg – yeah well he was only 26 seconds out of the lead and still had contact with the lead group – he was just on the back of it. How do you think the next three guys felt on Sunday when Gray came in dead last rather than having Kershaw putting them 10 to 15 places better.

For the US women’s relay I’m wondering why Ida [Sargent] didn’t race on Saturday? The coaches said she was added to the group to get top level international experience and she had already demonstrated she’s fit with her results in Muonio the weekend before. Then to send her out on the first leg…well, she’ll for sure never forget that experience. My order would have been Kikkan [Randall], then Liz [Stephen], then Morgan [Arritola], and then Ida. Well, the next relay is in one month in La Clusaz.

Team Family Experience – The Canadians tried giving [Ivan] Babikov and Gray extra time at home to be with their families and the two men arrived in Europe as close to race time as possible in Gallivare. From looking at the results and hearing the comments from Babikov it was less than successful. This is a tough business, even moreso for the NA skiers as they travel and live away from home more then the Euros – but this is the way it is and has been for decades. I could see a break like this after the TdS when the tour is in Czech, Estonia and Russia rather than at the beginning of the season. Especially, since the skiers have just had the spring, summer, and fall to be with their families.

Under The Radar – I think the program for Dasha Gaiazova and Chandra Crawford is brilliant. They missed Gallivare but were in Rovaniemi, Finland for a sprint and 5km classic weekend of racing, plus racing in Bruksvallarna, Sweden the weekend before. Chandra had a really bad racing and training year last season and needs a little easing into the circuit to get into racing shape. Dasha has been short of sensational, flying under the radar, with a couple of podiums and very high placements in sprinting and distance races. I just hope Chandra keeps doing the distance races as this is what it takes to get into racing shape. You can’t do it by just doing the sprint schedule. If she questions this strategy, go talk to Kikkan about her 2008 season where she side stepped many of the distance event to save herself for the sprints. By the end of the year she was not even qualifying in the sprints and all she could do in her “Cliff Notes” was complain about how much her legs ached. Go talk to Kikkan Chandra, it’ll be worth it.

Kudos to Newell – For getting on the distance bandwagon this year – you’ll be a better sprinter for it. Yes, there will be some real “hurter days” but you’ve chopped down one tree already with your efforts and you have taken over being the USA’s starter in the relays. Next goal is WCup points in a distance race.

Mystery Woman – Here’s a name I have not seen all spring, summer or fall – Caitlin Compton. No blogs, no results in roller ski races, very low profile. I felt she would be one of the ladies in Scando for these early competitions. I think she is one of the horses of the US Women’s Team for the next four years.

Should be exciting times in West Yellowstone and Silver Star these next 10 days to two weeks as there is plenty of snow and cold weather at both locations.