Well since I am now 30, that makes me a master. No I will not be racing Masters on the bike, but I am going to try my hand at Master’s ski racing. Why not start with the Masters Ski World Championships? They are being held next week in Vernon, BC only 120km from my home so why not? http://www.mwc2011.com/
I am hoping that my fitness can make up for my lack of skill. Master skier I am not. Signing up could be the best thing I have done for myself though as it is really cold here and after spending 3 of the last 4 weeks riding my bike in warmer climes I needed some motivation to get back on the skis and an escape from freezing off my digits and face on the bike.
But I am far from the only cyclist turned skier and vice versa. I recently got to catch up with multiple mtb World Champion Alison Sydor over coffee and she has adopted skiing with passion and of course Luna team mate Katerina Nash who went to the Olympics twice for Nordic skiing on top of cycling. Two time women’s track world Champion Tara Whitten also comes from skiing.
At Mtn bike nationals last year my husband Keith jokingly complained there were more Olympians racing in his category than in the elite races. Two 2010 Olympic Nordic racers took 2/3 podium spots in masters men. This year’s Under 23 xc ski world Champ went to my first couple of mtb worlds as a juniour on team Canada.
So what’s the draw? Both sports are awesome! They compliment each other so well in physical demands and give us athletes a break from our normal routine, while still playing outside for hours. I have tremendous respect for good skiers and look forward to having my but kicked by them shortly!
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