Race Report: Sprint Warm Ups in Canmore

Today was the first day of Olympic Trials in Canmore, AB.  Although the CVTC team is not emphasizing Olympic Qualification, the next three races in this 4-event series will be used as selection for the World Junior and U23 Championships, so there is a certain factor of excitement and nervousness associated with today's racing.

Two CVTC athletes opted to compete in today's skate sprint event, as preparation for Saturday's qualification races, while the rest of the team enjoyed a day of preparation for tomorrow's distance races.  Sebastian Dandurand and Paul Dupuis bibbed up and hit the start line in a relatively small field of 37 starters.  Qualifiying 10th and 27th, respectively, both athletes were guranateed some head to head racing in the heats.

After struggling with sickness over the holidays, Dupuis decided to sit out the heats to rest and recover for Saturday's sprint races.  Dandurand opted to compete and moved, with style through his quarterfinal (2nd) and semifinal (5th) to finish 1st in the B-Final and 7th overall.

"I felt really strong today and our skis were fast.  The sprint course is one of the longer ones we have raced, but I'm familiar with the trails in Canmore, so was pretty comfortable with how to ski it.  I'm really happy with my result today and am looking forward to Saturday," said Dandurand.

Tomorrow's (January 9) is a 15 km classic, interval start.

Heat Results:  http://new.zone4.ca/l/race/6292/bracket
Qualifier Results:  http://zone4.ca/live.asp?id=6285&cat=7&lap=F