Usually heatstroke isn't something that cross-country athletes have to worry about, but on the final day of the Haywood Ski Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park with temperatures of 16 degrees — though it felt even hotter in the sun — heat was a very real issue for athletes.
The men's 50km marathon got underway when it was still reasonably cool out, but the temperature kept rising and by the time the lead group came into the stadium for the last time it was definitely on the warm side. American Torin Koos, racing in a tank top, had the right idea and won the final sprint to the finish in 2:04:55.2.
The top Canadian, less than a ski length back, was Canada's Brent McMurty in 2:04:55.6. Kevin Sandau and Paralympian Brian McKeever were third and fourth by a matter of seconds.
McMurtry, a long-standing member of the national team, was racing in his last event. He's retiring from the sport of skiing, and will pursue an engineering degree in the fall.
"I had a feeling it was going to come down to the last sprint, so I just tried to stay behind (the leaders)," he said. "Torin got a little bit of a gap over me at the top of the hill... I didn't quite have the gas to get around him so I just tried to stay behind him.
"In my first year of nationals I won the juvenile title and I finished behind an American, so this is a fitting way to finish, another national championship but beat by an American again!"
McMurtry said he's enjoyed his decade with the national team, and the highlight was competing for Canada in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. During his tenure he's seen the sport grow in numbers and popularity, and feels he's leaving a program that's in great hands.
"It's been motivating to see all the excitement and the strength of the guys on the World Cup team," he said. "I feel the momentum growing and the popularity of the sport. I live in Canmore, and if you go to the Canmore Nordic Centre on any weekend there are thousands and thousands of people. The parking lots are full, and it's really, really cool. More people are becoming aware of our sport and seeing how much fun it can be. It's a great workout and an amazing sport.
"That's why it's bittersweet to leave it. I love it, and I know I'll definitely be a skier for the rest of my life."
In the women's 30km race, Biathlon Canada's Zina Kocher was the top Canadian, finishing second behind Bettina Gruber of Switzerland. It was the first time that Kocher has raced that distance, and her first time winning a national championship in cross-country.
"I'm so excited to do this," she said. "I decided to take some time after the World Cup and then do this, and it was pretty fun.
Kocher, wearing a tank top and bicycle shorts, said she struggles in the heat for whatever reason, and dumped every glass of water handed to her over her head to cool down. Some of those cups happened to contain sports drinks unfortunately, making for a sticky finish.
"I tried to make a move on the first hill (on the last lap), and I'm usually pretty strong in the last five kilometres of a race, so I decided to try and start that from the beginning. And it worked in the beginning; I got out in front, but (Bettina) caught back up to me and made a move on me on the last big hill in the woods. She went ahead and I couldn't keep up with her, so I just tried to keep her in sight."
Kocher said she still prefers biathlon to cross-country, but appreciated the opportunity. "It's definitely a different kind of racing than biathlon, but it's a lot of fun. I think I prefer biathlon, but this is great training," she said.
Some Whistler athletes also took part in the last day of racing, including members of the Callaghan Valley Training Centre. In open men, Sebastien Townsend was 31st, Geoffrey Richards 38th, Yannick Lapierre 54th and Martin Schrama 58th. In the junior men's 30km race, Sebastien Dandurand made the podium in third place, with teammate Colin Ferrie in fifth, Stefan Sander-Green in 17th and Fred Weaver 33rd.
Selina Meier was 20th in the open women's race.
In the Junior Women 20km race, Whistler's Nicki Murdoch was 16th.
In the Juvenile Boys 10km race, Austin Reith was 11th overall, and the second athlete from B.C. to cross the line.
Lauren Doak made the podium in the junior girls 7.5km race, placing third out of 59 starters. Jenya Nordin was 14th.
Two days earlier, the Whistler Olympic Park hosted the classic sprint race. Two members of the national team, Len Valjas and Daria Gaiazova took part, winning the open men's and women's category.
"It's awesome to be here and fun to race in Canada," said Valjas, who won three medals this past season — although none in official World Cup races. "It was a tough year as a team, but we are a very close family. We stuck together and fought it out. You can't always have the best season, but it is good to be back in Canada."
Graham Nishikawa was second and Phil Widmer third. Also in the top 30 were Sebastien Townsend in 16th, Geoffrey Richards in 20th and Martin Schrama in 24th.
In the women's sprint, it was a close battle with Gaiazova finishing on top, followed by Swiss skier Bettina Gruber and Perianne Jones of the national team.
"I had a bit of a change in my training this year. I think it was the little bit of shuffling I needed to spice things up a bit and it's been working out," said Gaiazova.
In the juvenile sprints, Austin Reith was 28th and Jenya Nordin 29th.
Results at www.zone4.ca.
