The lean, mean Canadian cross-country ski world champion team surprised some by its lack of size, but for many in the ski world, the addition of Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt was a pleasant surprise.
Bouffard-Nesbitt, 22, was a late addition to the team following a remarkable 12th-place finish in the skiathlon at the U23 world championships.
The Canmore resident has shown flashes of ski brilliance over her time training with Rocky Mountain Racers, but this is the first year she’s been healthy enough to perform well on the big stage.
“As opposed to last year, I went into worlds this year healthy and with lots of good racing and training behind me,” she wrote. “I also went into these races well prepared mentally. I’m not exactly sure how I changed that, but rather than being anxious, I was just totally excited to race and live in the moment.”
She endeared herself to Canadian fans with a short dance number at the skiathlon finish line in front of the cameras. It was a strut and twirl number for the world to see Canada had another skier with attitude.
“The day before, the U23s were all huddled around a laptop watching the juniors race, and we noticed how much live television time our guys were getting. But they were blocked by the manes of the skiers coming in that appeared on the screen.
“We discussed how the best place for TV time was near the line, and joked about what we would do at the end of the next day’s race. After my race, I knew the juniors would be watching, and I was so happy with my race I just wanted to celebrate.”
It was the culmination of an excellent week for the young skier, and a breath of fresh air for a program that wants to quickly fill the gap left by Chandra Crawford and Dasha Gaiazova.
The 22-year old also qualified 12th in the sprint, 21st after the heats, and 17th in the 10 kilometre skate at the championships. That type of clutch skiing triggered the invitation to world championships this week in Falun, Sweden, where she’ll join Perianne Jones and Emily Nishikawa on the women’s team.
Alex Harvey, Devon Kershaw, Len Valjas, Jesse Cockney, Graeme Killick and Ivan Babikov round out the men’s team.
“It’s been so satisfying to have probably some of the best races of my life at the most important event of the year. To have three great races was just better than I could have hoped for,” Bouffard-Nesbitt said.
She made her world cup debut with a 55th-finish in the sprints, and will soak up the experience in Falun.
“It still feels so surreal, and I can’t even describe how excited and grateful I feel,” Bouffard-Nesbitt said.
A favourite with her team, her top moment came after the skiathlon result, when she got to celebrate with her teammates.
“The juniors were all crowded around a laptop in the open space between the elevators on our floor, and when the elevator door opened, I was blown away by everyone yelling and cheering. Teammates are really important to me, and I was super lucky to be at the championship with such a great group.”
Bouffard-Nesbitt has been a late bloomer in the sport and has coped with her share of injuries and illnesses that have clouded her results. But this season she’s shown great consistency.
“She’s shown moments of brilliance over the last two years. She surprised us with three good races. That was good to see,” said RMR coach John Jaques, who’s coached her for three years.
“She’s also one of the nicest skiers you’ll meet and kind, sincere and honest, and she worked really hard to get here.”
