The Milan aesthetic is a beacon of haute couture in the global fashion industry, setting trends that resonate from New York to Hong Kong.
Fortunately, the city cross-country sprint course had bling pręt a porter for Canadian sprinters Chandra Crawford and Perianne Jones’ visit.
“Milan was so beautiful. Skiing on a 600 metre snow loop, whizzing through a snow-soaked park next to a castle was incredible,” Crawford said.
What made the day even more beautiful was the bronze medal Crawford and Jones captured as part of the World Cup team sprints Sunday (Jan. 15).
The bronze was the first World Cup medal for 26-year-old Jones and Crawford’s second medal of the season.
“I was hoping this day was coming soon,” said Jones. “We are both in great shape and so we knew today we wouldn’t have to hammer the whole time. It is such a tight course, so I just wanted to ski smart and relaxed. I’m super pumped right now.”
Team work was paramount in the crash-filled race, which had very few places to pass on the tight course through Italy’s fashion hub.
“A few years ago in Dusseldorf, we lost a position on every exchange. This time, we gained on every exchange,” Crawford said.
“It was absolutely crazy, with poles flying and crashes everywhere,” said Jones. “Our exchanges were super good. We made up so much time tagging off to each other. This feels pretty awesome.”
Crawford’s ferocious attack has more claws this season, as she’s learned to pounce at just the right moment. She anchored the Canadian side and pushed at the right moment to clinch the medal.
“There were a few things I wanted to do. I focused on getting the attack just right – not too early, not too late.
She was thrilled to be a part of Jones’ first World Cup medal. The two spent every hour of training together this summer and have enough sprints together to feel comfortable.
“There’s something about the team stuff that’s more fun than the individual races. There are more high fives and cheering. It’s a great atmosphere,” Crawford said.
Ten teams take part in the team sprint, with each skier racing three times around a 1.6 km course. Hanna Brodin and Ida Ingemarsdotter of Sweden won gold. Americans Kikkan Randall and Jessica Diggins – who trained with the Canadian team this summer – finished in second place.
“We got to be on the podium with our American partners. That was a goal of ours in training camp,” Crawford said.
While she gets pumped for the ‘showtime’ feel of city sprints, Crawford travelled home for the holidays and spent her time at the Nordic Centre, on Pocaterra trails and the Cascade Fire Road, reconnecting with her favourite trails before returning to Europe.
“It recharges the love of skiing and boosted my fitness,” Crawford said. “There’s lots still to do, but being in the top 10 four races in a row was amazing and I now sit fifth in the sprint cup standings. I have classic sprints this weekend and I could go right now. I double poled every day at home.”
Crawford finished in seventh position the day before in the individual sprint, while Jones was 12th. Dasha Gaiazova was 25th.
Lenny Valjas was the only Canadian in the men’s sprints. He finished an impressive 14th.
