2020 FIS World Junior/U23 Championships
Oberwiesenthal, Germany
February 16 – Mar 8, 2020
Seefeld, Austria, Tuesday, February 18th
Tuesday was the first full day in Europe for most of the team, but Remi travelled a day after the rest and arrived in early afternoon.
As we awaited Remi's arrival, the team headed up to the Seefeld ski stadium. As most of the team is still trying to adjust to the time change, we decided to take today's skate ski at an easier pace. This gave us the fortunate opportunity to explore the amazing trails that Austria has to offer and the warm sunny weather that came with it. Although beginning on the race trails in Seefeld, we were able to embark on some of the more narrow and traditional trails higher above the stadium. After an hour and a half of skiing, it was time to head back to the hotel to indulge in our delicious lunch.
By Michael Murdoch (Whistler)
As far as travel days go, today was incredibly smooth. There was none of that three connecting flights business I am used to leaving from home in British Columbia. My flight was direct from Boston (where I am at college) to Munich and was nearly empty, so I found an empty centre row, and slept the seven hours across the Atlantic. Once I found my way out of the airport and met up with Coach Erik, we drove towards the Alps under a clear blue sky. Bavaria, at this time of year, was quite beautiful. Near Munich, everything was very green, and it looked as if spring had come to the picturesque German villages along the Autobahn. Erik told me that he was actually quite worried when he made the drive the day before, since there was practically no snow the entire way to our hotel. With a few kilometers to go, however, we emerged from a tunnel to a snow-covered landscape framed by great cliff faces. During the rest of the afternoon, I got settled into the Hotel Ramona, and at 4:30, the members of the team went for a short ski or for a run together. At this time, since everyone is still adjusting, we are trying to get out to do some type of exercise twice a day just to stay awake. Personally, I am quite tired, and I assume everyone else is too. These adjustments are a big part of why we are here two weeks in advance but it certainly is a terrific place to be!
By Rémi Drolet (Rossland)
BC Athletes on the Canadian Team:
Benita Peiffer (Whistler Nordic Ski Club, Whistler)
Elizabeth Elliott (Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club, Revelstoke)
Hannah Mehain (Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, Vernon)
Jasmine Drolet (Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club, Rossland)
Michael Murdoch (Whistler Nordic Ski Club, Whistler)
Molly Miller (Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club, Kimberley)
Rémi Drolet (Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club, Rossland)