Over the past couple of weekends, the Ottawa-based chapter (S. Rees, A. Berthiaume, and S. Bursey) of the NSXC.ca took part in the Coupe Skinouk and XCOttawa Duathlon races. Here is a quick synopsis of each based on the observations and experiences of S. Rees.

Coupe Skinouk - Jan. 19-20

Saturday’s race consisted of a classic race at the Relais de Plein Air course in Gatineau QC. For anyone who has participated in a race on this course, it is obvious that ‘classic’ is a big misnomer. In actual fact, this race is an exercise in double-poling with only one hill in the middle of the course. Now this hill is no molehill, but the race is really won in the double-poling sections (ie. 90% of the course). The race consisted of double starts and despite a random draw, SR and AB somehow ended up starting together. This led to what will go down in history as an epic battle to the finish with AB squeaking in the victory at the end (by 0.8 sec). Overall, SR and AB were quite happy with the results, although SR was a little disgruntled with this early season loss. SB acquitted himself well in the more competitive men’s field; however, perhaps all would have been a little happier with a few more uphills. Good eats were had post-race from the Golden Palace.

Lesson re-learned? Upper body workouts in the off-season probably help, but only time will tell if this race was enough motivation to start such workouts. Probably not….

On the following day, only SR returned to brave the frigid temperatures at the skate race. After several delays, the race finally began (despite a continuing below -20^oC temperature, but who’s complaining?). Unlike the men’s race which saw an increase in participation, the women’s race consisted of only four participants. Right from the start, the field dispersed quickly such that everyone ended up racing mostly by themselves (until the men’s field caught up on their final lap, then it was a matter of pulling over every few minutes to let them by). Leftovers from the Golden Palace were enjoyed during the post-race feeding period.

Lesson re-learned? With no one around, it’s hard to judge how well the race is going, but try not to succumb to the temptation of slacking off or day-dreaming just because you’re out there racing by yourself. Focus! Full Results at  zone4.ca

XCOttawa Duathlon – Jan. 26

In a way, the XCOttawa Duathlon was a more civilized event than most as it started in the afternoon. However, the course itself more than made up for this act of enlightenment. For the classic portion (which was more truly classic than Coupe Skinouk), skiers raced two laps on the lower, rolling portion of the Nakkertok course. For the skate portion, the race took to the hills with two laps of the brutally hard upper portion of the Nakkertok course. Again, SR, AB, and SB acquitted themselves well; some staying ahead of a nemesis (SB), others showing strong form throughout (AB), and yet others, just glad to survive the last lap (SR). In the battle of AB vs. SR, AB pulled in a very convincing win. Stay tuned for the next battle when SR will try to make a comeback! Commendations must be given to the race organizer who pulled together a great race at the last minute. No Golden Palace this time, but instead a big plate of spaghetti was enjoyed post-race.

Lesson re-learned? Do not try to race, officiate, and coach at the same event. This does not bode well for wax testing, warm-ups, or pre-race feeding. But one cannot rest on such excuses. Results at XCottawa.ca

Steph skating Coupe Ski-nook