With much of his team attending Devon Kershaw and Kirsten Stoermer-Stiera’s Norwegian wedding and with cuts to training camp budgets, Canmore’s Ivan Babikov turned to friend and former countryman Ilia Chernousov for an intense, four-day training camp in the Canadian Rockies.
Chernousov won bronze in the 50 kilometre at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, and also has a medal to his credit from the 2011 world championships.
“He’s my good friend. It’s great to have him here, to have a new marker and do some technique work. We’ve done intensity and some longer workouts, following the training plan,” Babikov said. “When you do intensity, it’s good to compare against the best in the world, someone who’s had success at the Games.”
Cross Country Canada was forced to cut its budget after Own the Podium reduced its funding level this year, which marked the end of many team training camps. Babikov said the workouts with Chernousov work as a nice alternative.
“Nobody expected that cut from the budget, and we had training camps scheduled that didn’t happen. It’s OK for me because I’m spending more time with my family. It’s different this year, training mostly in Canmore,” Babikov said.
Babikov moved from Russia to Canada in 2003 and began skiing for Canada in 2009.
Babikov also hosted a master’s camp at the Haig Glacier along with retired national team skier Dasha Gaiazova. Gaiazova organized the project as a part of her business school, and brought Babikov in as a fundraising partner.
“That was more of a fundraiser to help pay fees. I was happy to have the opportunity to ski with the masters, to share my knowledge,” Babikov said.
A stress fracture in his ribcage did slow him down, but for the past week, Babikov has been happy to showcase his hometown.
“(Chernousov) has been here in winter and he’s super surprised with the training opportunities in Canmore. He’s really impressed. He did the loop to Banff (on Goat Creek) and had a great run,” Babikov said.
Babikov said more Europeans are clueing into training opportunities in Canmore. Biathlete Anastasia Kuzmina is planning to return to the Bow Valley in fall, and with the impending biathlon and cross-country ski world cups coming this winter, more athletes are planning training trips to the area.
“It’s an eye opener for many in Europe. It’s a long travel, but they are happy with the training trails and how much they can do around here,” Babikov said.
