Jesse Cockney is sick of proving himself on Canada’s cross-country ski trails.
For three years, he, Graeme Killick and Kevin Sandau have fought for the chance to race World Cup in Europe, earning the odd overseas start, only to be sent back home and told to keep trying.
In 2014-15, they will get a genuine shot at glory.
Devon Kershaw, Ivan Babikov, Lenny Valjas and Alex Harvey will begin the year on the Canadian cross-country ski world cup team, but Cross Country Canada said this year, its young skiers will get a chance to prove themselves overseas.
More starts have been promised to Cockney, Killick and Sandau, while Emily Nishikawa will also battle for a permanent spot on the World Cup team.
“I’m pretty stoked about it. It’s been a long time coming. When you get a few consecutive chances, there’s not as much pressure,” said Cockney.
Cockney will get a chance to race the World Cup skate sprint in Davos, Switzerland, and at least two Scandanavian Cup races. The Olympian believes he’s capable of a breakout performance in Switzerland, and has shown World Cup speed in the past. He had a disappointing Olympics, where his top result was a 47th spot, but the 25 year old recorded a ninth place finish in 2012 and a 24th place finish in 2013.
“For me, I want to do well at the Davos World Cup. That’s my biggest goal for the season. It’s a skate sprint and I think it’s a perfect course for me. It was one of my worst races last year, so this year I’m pissed off, and want to do well there. I’m happy to get another chance. It’s my best shot,” Cockney said.
Distance specialist Sandau will race the 30-km classic race in Davos. He recorded a fifth place finish in the 15-km skate race at U23 Championships in 2011, but since then has only had seven world cup starts.
“This is a big step. Over the past four years, CCC always said they’d like to get as many people to Europe as possible, but they’ve always stuck with big names. This year after the Olympics, they’re going to fill the spots. If we’re racing fast, we will fill those spots,” Sandau said.
Sandau said Hetland’s influence over the team means on weekends where a world cup athlete is struggling, younger racers will get a chance to prove their mettle. He knows it will be expensive, but is hungry for the chance to make a name for himself internationally.
“At my age (26), I should be racing World Cup. Any way I can get to the World Cup is fine by me … I think it goes back to (Hetland). He’s given us more of a chance. He knows what it takes to get skiers to the World Cup and into the top 30,” Sandau said.
Olympian Nishikawa will get four world cup starts to open the season. As the reigning NorAm champ, she and veteran Perianne Jones will hunt top 30 results overseas, and she’s ready
“It’s an amazing opportunity for me. I want to have a breakthrough result and I’ll have lots of opportunities to do that this season,” Nishikawa said. “I’m guaranteed four weekends of World Cup racing. The classic 15 km in Davos will be great for me. Last year was a great year and a cool opportunity to go to the Olympics. But I know I can ski better and push to the next level,” Nishikawa said.
Away from the frozen trail, it’s been a tumultuous year for Cross Country Canada. Following a poor showing at the Sochi 2014 Olympics and budget cut from Own the Podium, CCC board chairman Richard Lemoine resigned, head coach Justin Wadsworth received a new job title and former Swiss sprint coach Tor-Arne Hetland began working closely with the World Cup team. Athletes such as Cockney and Killick bounced between sessions with Wadsworth, Hetland and Alberta World Cup Academy coach Stefan Kuhn, but the time is now to push more of Canada’s young skiers onto the world stage.
“I love racing in Canada, but it’s a different beast on the World Cup. To have a season that’s earmarked for us is really sweet,” Cockney said.
CCC high performance director Thom Holland said demands are high on the world cup team, but he said the next group will have the opportunity to race more overseas at the appropriate level. That could be World Cup, or feeder race series such as Scandanavian or Norweigan Cup races.
“There will be a big push for the development group. It comes down to quota spots, but the younger athletes will have a little more opportunity,” Holland said.
Athletes in Canada will also race more, he said. He wants to see domestic athletes race just as much as world cup athletes – which means every weekend. Canadian skiers can now earn NorAm points at three stops in December: Bozeman, Mont., Rossland and Whistler. Those skiing fast will have a shot at the World Cup race in January in Otepaa, Estonia.
The offshoot will be higher costs for the athletes. Cockney said this will be his most expensive year by far, as he’ll have to pay for every trip overseas, plus team fees. If he starts recording top 30 results, he’ll make the Canadian team and those costs will be covered.
“This is why I do the hard work in the summer – to be strong for these races,” Cockney said.
