January 11, 2014 (Canmore, Alta.) – Two of Canada’s most promising athletes in the sport of cross-country skiing, Heidi Widmer and Jesse Cockney, displayed the work they have put in over the last year by winning the Buff Sprints on Saturday, and are now ready for an opportunity to hit the start line at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Heidi Widmer © Angus Cockney

Serving as the selection races to determine the final four spots on Canada’s 2014 Olympic squad, the two young Canucks cranked up the heat on a dark, snowy and windy day blasting through the world-renowned Canmore Nordic Centre.

The 22-year-old Widmer, of Banff, Alta., completed an emotional day by handily winning the women’s sprint race, and has all but officially booked a ticket to her first ever Olympic Games.

“I have raced these trails and trained on them so many times, but this just feels so surreal,” said Widmer, while breaking into tears at the finish line. “I was on a mission for this. I didn’t want to be one of those Olympiczillas getting caught up in it all. There are so many ups and downs. I just wanted to stay focused on the process and not look back or ahead of myself. This is a dream come true, but I have only completed part one. Now the real journey and work begins.”

Zina Kocher © Angus Cockney

Three-time Olympic biathlete, Zina Kocher of Red Deer, Alta., made a charge to get her name in the mix to also compete on the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team at the Games. Kocher finished second. Andrea Dupont, of Timmins, Ont., placed third.

While being interviewed in the finish corral, Heidi Widmer broke into tears when her older brother Phil walked past to hit the start line to secure an Olympic spot of his own.

“My inspiration is right there,” said Heidi Widmer. “I just wish I can channel some of this energy his way. He has been there for me the whole way.”

The 30-year-old Widmer, who was fighting for a return trip to the Games, was in a cage match with 24-year-old Jesse Cockney, who was looking for his first trip to the Olympics.

Jess Cockney © Angus Cockney

Lined shoulder-to-shoulder on the start line, the veteran Widmer, of Banff, Alta., took to the lead at the sound of the gun and held it around the hilly 1.7-kilometre track, which simulates the challenge athletes will face at the Nordic venue in Sochi. Cockney, of Canmore, Alta., tucked in behind Widmer until the final 100 metres where we put on a World Cup worthy sprinting display, hammering his way to the top of the pack to win the final sprint race of the trials.

“I just kept telling myself to get to the line,” said an emotional Cockney. “Phil has been so strong, and I took that outside lane for the finish. I didn’t know what else to do, but I just wanted to get to the line. It has been years of hard work. I don’t know if it is official. I did all that I can do and I just want to enjoy this moment.”

Phil Widmer © Angus Cockney

Widmer sprinted to the silver, while Patrick Stewart-Jones, of Chelsea, Que., was third.

“It was strong racing today, and it looks like we are going to have two athletes with promising futures and great personalities join our team,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “Heidi really demonstrated that she clearly deserves to be selected. Jesse and Phil have put a lot of work to be ready for this, and fought it out to the finish. It was an impressive finish.”

Full results with brackets here.

Results (brief)

Women
1. Heidi Widmer, Banff, Alta.
2. Zina Kocher, Red Deer, Alta.
3. Andrea Dupont, Timmins, Ont.
4. Alysson Marshall, Salmon Arm, B.C.
5. Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt, Quebec.

Men
1.  Jesse Cockney, Canmore, Alta.
2. Phil Widmer, Banff, Alta.
3. Patrick Stewart-Jones, Chelsea, Que.
4. Russell Kennedy, Canmore, Alta.
5. Ezekiel Williams, Cantley, Que.