Post by MattMc on Feb 23, 2010 11:08:06 GMT -5
Kudos to the Candian Nordic Ski teams (epsecially the men) for some excellent performances.
Their performance in the 30km pursuit-- en event many consider to be the marquis of the sport (15km classic-15km skate) was simply awesome-- 5th-8th-9th and 16th. Consider that their highest previous finish at this event was in the 20s.
Harvey and Kershaw continued their great skiing in the 2 man sprint relay (sprint being a relative term as they each skied 3 x 1 mile!) with a 4th place and they challenged for a medal into the last leg.
I may be biased since I have recently taken up skiing since retiring from comp. running, but these are by far the most exciting events of the olympics.
The IAAF should take note-- I would love to see a similar event in XC-- imagine a 2 man 6 mile relay where each guy runs 3 x 1 mile! (Probably 1km is a better equivalent to 1 mile of skiing) Still-- who would be the best choice-- a pure miler, a 5k man, a marathoner?
AC should also take note as XC canada puts priority on funding training centers (Canmore and Quebec) rather than individual athletes. These nuclei of excellent coaching and support have undoubtedly led to the great increased depth in this sport.
AC should move away from individual carding and make the funding dependent on affiliation with an NTC. In my opinion-- it's the only way to increase the depth of excellence.
Fingers crossed for the men in the 4 x 10km relay!
MM
Their performance in the 30km pursuit-- en event many consider to be the marquis of the sport (15km classic-15km skate) was simply awesome-- 5th-8th-9th and 16th. Consider that their highest previous finish at this event was in the 20s.
Harvey and Kershaw continued their great skiing in the 2 man sprint relay (sprint being a relative term as they each skied 3 x 1 mile!) with a 4th place and they challenged for a medal into the last leg.
I may be biased since I have recently taken up skiing since retiring from comp. running, but these are by far the most exciting events of the olympics.
The IAAF should take note-- I would love to see a similar event in XC-- imagine a 2 man 6 mile relay where each guy runs 3 x 1 mile! (Probably 1km is a better equivalent to 1 mile of skiing) Still-- who would be the best choice-- a pure miler, a 5k man, a marathoner?
AC should also take note as XC canada puts priority on funding training centers (Canmore and Quebec) rather than individual athletes. These nuclei of excellent coaching and support have undoubtedly led to the great increased depth in this sport.
AC should move away from individual carding and make the funding dependent on affiliation with an NTC. In my opinion-- it's the only way to increase the depth of excellence.
Fingers crossed for the men in the 4 x 10km relay!
MM
