Skis On My Feet Since 2002 Now, 5 World Juniors later
About me:
I am a 20-year-old cross country skier from Calgary AB, currently training in Canmore AB. With a lifelong passion for the sport, I have competed in Alberta Cups and progressed to international races like World Juniors and World Cups. Alongside my athletic pursuits, I am a full-time engineering student at the University of Calgary
My Return to Racing:
Notable results:
2nd, Team relay in Oberwiesenthal, Germany in 2020
5th, Classic 30k in Vuokatti, Finland in 2021
7th, Skate 30k in Lygna, Norway 2022
10th, Skate 10k in Vuokatti, Finland in 2021
12th, Classic sprint in Vuokatti, Finland in 2021
17th, Skate 30k mass start in Oberwiesenthal, Germany in 2020
While these individual results hold significance to me, the team relay holds a special place in my heart. It was an extraordinary team effort that led to a historic medal for Team Canada. Being one of the four athletes who raced in that event was truly exhilarating. The photo above captures the proud and exciting moment shared by our team. Throughout that championships, the team was doing quite well all around but no one had any medals. The relay day though was a special one. We knew if we were skiing well we had a chance for a good result. but we did not know that could mean a medal. Every skier skied the best leg they could and pulled together to be an incredibly exciting race. One that will be forever remembered.
Next Year:
Two years ago I had to take a step back from racing as I had been struggling with a long-term hip injury that limited my ability to train and race. Training the volume I needed to succeed caused pain in my hip. I decided to try to resolve this injury this year to get back training the amount I need to, to be able to compete and perform at the level I have shown I can perform at. The surgeons told me it would be a year until I was back to normal, so I had taken a race season off to recover from the surgery. That was a difficult year for me both mentally and physically pushing through pain and trying to fix this issue to continue my ski career. While not ski racing I was continuing my studies in software engineering to keep my mind occupied during the recovery.
This past year was my first year back racing. it was also a challenge in itself. Coming back to racing but not having the fitness I once had was difficult. Throughout the season I was super strict with what races I could race because I was not able to race all the races. with this being said I think I did a good job picking the right races. Looking back at the season I am happy with how it went and the lessons I learned.
With my first season back from injury behind me, I am well underway in my preparation for this upcoming season. I am feeling better than ever and believe it will be a really strong season for me. I am super excited about whats to come and I hope that you will follow me in this journey to see where it takes me.
The Dream:
After narrowly missing the criteria for the 2022 Beijing Olympics and taking a humbling year off from skiing, I have emerged with an even stronger hunger and determination to move forward. With an additional three years of training and refinement of my race skills on the World Cup circuit, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to turn my Olympic dream into a reality at Milan 2026.
Throughout this journey, my goal is not only to qualify for the Olympics but also to consistently work my way into the top 10, showcasing my progress and potential. I aspire to seize every chance to compete for podium finishes, pushing myself to the limit and embracing the exhilaration of the race.