The Canadian national cross-country ski team should win at least two medals at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, according to the head coach, but they’ll have to overcome a series of injuries to do so.
“It’s a goal to win two medals. I can’t guarantee it, but at a minimum, that’s where we should be,” said head coach Justin Wadsworth. “Overall, our team seems to be in pretty good shape.”
Canada has only won three cross-country ski medals in Olympic history – all by Canmore residents. Beckie Scott won gold in 2002 and teamed up with Sara Renner to win silver in 2006. That was also the games where Chandra Crawford won her gold sprint medal. They’ll send 11 athletes this year, as Wadsworth anticipates sending five women and six men – but that formula could change.
This time, much of the team’s hopes rest on Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw. Two years ago, Kershaw finished second overall in the world cup standings, while Harvey was sixth. They could top that result and break Canada’s men’s cross-country ski medal drought, as Wadsworth said they’re looking better than ever.
“We’re going to see a better Devon than two years ago. He seems calm mentally, and physically, he’s better than ever. It looks really good,” Wadsworth said. “Alex has been amazing. I saw him at the last camp and said to (coach Louis Bouchard) it’s the best I’ve ever seen Alex. He’s moving well, putting power on the poles, so it’s pretty exciting.”
Ivan Babikov was Canada’s most consistent athlete last year and will be extra motivated to perform on his former home turf. The hilly Sochi courses should favour the team’s veteran, who gets the rare chance to perform at two home winter games.
“It’s pretty special. Not many athletes can race two Olympics in their homeland. Some pressure applies, but I still have some friends there and know the coaches,” Babikov said.
He cracked a rib early this summer and ran into a few illnesses, but his training has been consistent as he’s worked to improve his upper body strength.
“Ivan’s had his best training year to date. He’s built on his strength and it’s showing in the workouts,” said Wadsworth.
Sochi will be the last Olympic Games for the 33-year-old, who said he’s on pace to peak by February.
Lenny Valjas also hopes to be ready by February, although he’s had a tougher summer. Valjas moved to Canmore in June two weeks before the flooding, then had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in early July. Recovery was supposed to take a month. Instead, it took 15 weeks. He couldn’t do cardio until two weeks ago.
“We were hoping for an early recovery, but that wasn’t the case. But this last week has felt like the knee is back to normal. It is a bit weak, but today’s intensity workout was a non-issue. It felt good to go race pace again,” Valjas said. “I just need to be smart and not overdo it. I have no idea when my shape will come back, but I know racing will bring my shape back.”
For the next three months, he’ll race on the world cup circuit, trying to rebuild his leg.
“The spandex is a bit flappy. I’ve gotta fill it up with the muscle I lost,” Valjas said.
He’s well rested after finishing last season exhausted, and said the injury forced him to sit on the sidelines and recover, which should set him up for a quick recovery.
“Lenny is in good shape as far as the recovery goes. He’s back training fully. There’s no rush. It will be hard for him not to race fast in November and December,” Wadsworth said.
Dasha Gaiazova has been the most consistent racer on the women’s side. She decided to train this summer in Montreal.
“Dasha looks fit and strong. We’re expecting more from her this year and that’s pretty good,” said Wadsworth.
Perianne Jones is coming off a strong season, where she and Gaiazova medaled in a team sprint on the Sochi course. She’s currently struggling with health issues.
“We’re trying to figure out what’s going on with her. It’s a bit frustrating, because we’re not sure what’s wrong. She’s struggling and can’t handle the training load and it’s not allowing her to recover from workouts she could complete last year easily,” Wadsworth said.
Crawford has met Olympic criteria, but national team officials said they want her to prove her fitness again. Wadsworth kept a close eye on her performance at the Frozen Thunder race on Thursday (Oct. 24).
“We haven’t been around her much this season. Today was the first time I’ve seen her do a hard effort. There is no one better at racing than Chandra. It was fun to watch her get through the first round. Today was a good step for her. She won (Frozen Thunder classic) last year, and this is different than last year, but every year is different,” Wadsworth said.
After Kershaw, Babikov, Valjas and Harvey, the Canadians will likely take one extra sprinter and one extra distance racer to the Olympics. Wadsworth said several senior development skiers have impressed him thus far.
“On our development team, it’s proven we have a few guys who can have a good result, with Phil Widmer and Jesse Cockney, Kevin Sandau, Graham Nishikawa and Graham Killick. We hope we get a few extra spots on the team,” Wadsworth said.
The women’s team could have two or three spots open, and there is a long list of up and coming women chasing the spot.
Although the team has achieved unparalleled success, Wadsworth knows the Olympics are what counts.
“You can do a lot in a ski career, but until we get Olympic medals, it’s not done. (The Olympics) are just a ski race, but it’s the most important ski race in four years.”
