The chance to get to race a World Cup in your back yard is an amazing experience. I've been lucky enough to do it several times and it's because of the hard work of the volunteers behind the event that these amazing races happen. Without their work the World Cup wouldn't be coming to Canmore and so a big THANKS to all who helped make it possible.

Me taking the lead and wondering why I'm not getting passed? Thanks for the photo GIBSON pictures!

The race this past weekend held two personal bests for me. I qualified faster than I ever have in a classic World Cup (18th) and I skied to my best classic World Cup result 23rd. With the way I felt during my qualifying and my position I knew the afternoon had the potential to be a truly amazing time. If I skied well, I could ski into the top 15, which became my goal for the day. My plan for my heat was simple: Don't ski too hard for the lead, be near the front and maintain contact for the long double pole finish. After the start, things were going to plan. Coming into the first corner I was in the top 3. But maybe the support of the home crowd got me a little bit excited and I took the lead. I never felt like I was skiing "outside" of myself, but I wasn't expecting to hold the lead to the finish. I was still leading coming off of the fast down hill into the finishing straight. That's when I tightened up a bit and the pack kicked it into 6th gear. The group blew by me, leaving me to a fifth place finish. It wasn't the result I was hoping for but there were a lot of positives to take from the day. Overall it was a great day. Click the link below for some honest, post race reaction from me.

http://skitrax.com/6718?c

Next on tap for me is the Super Tour stop in Madison, Wisconsin. Some downtown city sprint action is always a good time, so I'm looking forward to the 10km skate criterium and the classic sprint.

Till the next update, check yourself before you wreck yourself!

Phil