December 02, 2014 (Oestersund, Sweden) – SkiTrax checked in with Canada’s Rosanna Crawford and the USA’s Lowell Bailey after the opening round of the IBU World Cup in Sweden this past weekend. Crawford led out the mixed relay for Canada with a fabulous leg putting the team in the lead but they eventually finished 17th, while Bailey’s American squad powered to as high as 4th to finish seventh overall. (Read our coverage here.) Both athletes give some insight about the first race of the season and talk about their off-season training and goals for 2014-15.

Canada's Rosanna Crawford © Nordic Focus

Rosanna Crawford (CAN)
I was pretty nervous all day today! We work hard all summer but don’t really get a chance to compare ourselves to the rest of the World until now. I always love starting relays!

They changed the 2km loop, so it is a little bit more difficult than other years. Right off the start you climb for quite a while. That changes how you have to approach the course. The hills were pretty sugary but overall conditions were good, not a lot of wind in the range.

It’s been a good summer, I feel like I made some big gains this summer and am excited to see them pay off. The training was similar to the year before, we had a training camp in Vermont and then one in Utah in the fall.

My goals for this season are to be consistently in the top 30 and I think a podium is a realistic expectation for a great day!

Lowell Bailey (USA)

Lowell Bailey (USA) © Nordic Focus

How were you feeling today both on the skis and the range?
LB: I felt good for the first race of the year. I struggled with my last shot and that extra twenty seconds was the difference between a possible podium and 7th place.

What about the course and conditions in Sweden?
LB: The course was in great shape. They do a great job of saving snow over the summer so that there is always enough to start the season.

Talk about your training and fitness – did you do anything different preparing for this season?
LB: I followed a similar path to the season this year. I did a little more on the shooting side of things, but generally speaking, I followed the same training program.

With your first podium under your belt, what are your goals this season?
LB: More podiums and consistent placing in the top fifteen.

How’s the new Canadian coach working out?
LB: Jean Pacquet has been great. He brings a lot of energy and new ideas to the team. Between him and our new men’s coach, Jonas Johansson, I think we have an incredibly talented and diverse coaching staff.