Devon Kershaw is a huge Neil Young fan.
He professes his love for the iconic rocker to anyone who listens, and possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of his catalogue.
So it’s no mystery that hours after clinching the title of second best cross-country skier on the planet, Kershaw allowed his thoughts to go back to Canada, on a journey through the past.
“I think back to when I was 20 and I was getting the floor wiped with me. It’s been a long journey.”
Two gold, one silver and three bronze medals represents the best haul a Canadian male has harvested from the World Cup circuit in the past 100 years.
Canada finished the season with 15 World Cup medals, good enough for fourth overall in nation rankings.
Chandra Crawford, Perianne Jones, Lenny Valjas, Alex Harvey and Kershaw... When one would falter, another would pick up the torch and lead the team to a top 10 finish every week.
Kershaw clinched second place on a historic day for Canada in Falun, Sweden. He and Alex Harvey both landed on the podium in the 3.3 kilometre sprint, a first in Canadian men’s skiing.
The win was the first of Harvey’s career and came while his father, the legendary Pierre Harvey, watched from the sidelines. It was the elder Harvey’s first time watching his son ski in Europe and the 25th anniversary of Pierre’s first World Cup gold medal.
“Twenty-five years ago, I had a chance to win. To see two Canadians on the podium is really unbelievable. All of the Canadian program is coming along. Other countries say the program is unbelievable. We’ve never seen this in the history of Canada,” he said.
Only Swiss sensation Dario Cologna earned more points on the World Cup circuit. Cologna had the best season in World Cup history, finishing on the podium 19 times.
“A lot of people really believe in me. I still struggle with that. But to be second is a dream come true. Dario had the best season on the World Cup ever. There’s no shame getting beat by one of the greatest skiers in the sport. But I believe a Canadian can win a World Cup globe.
“We will see a World Cup globe in my lifetime. A lot of people would never believe it to be possible.”
After a slow start to the season, Kershaw went on an unprecedented tear through late December and early January, racking up heaps of points through January and February. He finished fourth in the Tour de Ski, which motivated him to go on a tear afterwards. It was a part of the year where he says he was in, “The Zone,” where his body did exactly what he wanted it to. He described the sensation as something he hadn’t had before.
Former athlete and renowned sports psychologist Penny Werthner said there isn’t a lot of mystery behind the state of mind; however, it’s elusive.
“I don’t know if it’s something we can manufacture. So many pieces come into play. But we have a lot more control of those pieces than athletes understand,” she said.
“Everything becomes more automatic. That doesn’t come mysteriously. It comes from a lot of physical and technical work and Devon is fortunate and smart enough to understand there is a mental side.”
‘The zone’ isn’t necessarily a prerequisite for top performance, and is individual and sport specific. Many athletes never experience it – however, those like Kershaw who do, reap the benefits.
Beckie Scott, Canada’s most decorated cross-country skier, finished second in the World Cup overall points in 2006, anchoring Canada’s best-ever showing on the circuit. She won nine medals that year on the way to second place. It was also the year Kershaw won his first medal.
She’s quite familiar with the physical and mental demands required to accomplish such a feat, referring to the skier’s season as ‘superhuman.’
“To ski from November to March and wrap up podium and top five finishes is a phenomenal feat.”
While much of the focus on Kershaw’s accomplishments praise his physical prowess, Scott says mental and emotional strength is equally important.
“Trying to get into the mind frame of going to every start line of every race to get to the podium is difficult.”
Kershaw chose to spend his entire season in Europe, away from his family, but also away from the risks of jet lag and illness such trips carry. It was a risky decision, and one Scott never tried, however, it worked for Kershaw.
“Living the hotel life can be draining and monotonous,” Scott said. “It’s a different set of challenges for North Americans. The team’s come a long way in addressing that.”
She considers her second place one of her most cherished accomplishments, but also a source of regret.
“It’s right up there. It’s one of the most proud accomplishments I’ve achieved in my career. But if I could do anything over again – if I have any regret, it’s that I missed the handful of points to win the overall title. Hopefully, Devon can get one for us.”
It’s a sentiment Kershaw and the rest of the team is happy to chase. Coach Justin Wadsworth believes Kershaw and Harvey are both capable of the feat.
“Everybody on this team believes it can happen,” Wadsworth said.
Kershaw, the unofficial captain, believes a Canadian will win the overall World Cup title, and ultimately, an Olympic medal.
“My big goal is to see a Canadian man on the Olympic podium. While we’re making history, we might as well keep it going.”
