Backyard Triple

In the past four Paralympic Winter Games seasons, the World Cup has opened in Canmore, inviting the rest of the World into its backyard. This year, as in previous years, Canmore first hosted a FIS Continental Cup on November 27, acting as a Classification and qualifying opportunity for athletes before the FIS Para Cross Country World Cup from December 4-7, and immediately afterward hosting the IBU Para Biathlon World Cup from 11-14.

An unusual Fall meant there were many concerns as the competitions approached. Most of the snow from Frozen Thunder had melted or turned to ice due to unseasonably warm temperatures. Those temperatures also meant very little snowmaking had occurred to improve or expand the smaller loops. Each day, it became harder to ski. To the point that we were left with just over a kilometre with a week to go before the scheduled Continental Cup (November 26-27). But this time, the forecasted cold air finally moved in, and snowmaking began. The hope was that the colder temperatures would last and allow the Canmore Nordic Centre staff to prepare the venue for the competitions and upcoming World Cups. The decision was made to cancel the first Continental Cup race to prioritize a quality course for the second day—a 5km Freestyle race, consisting of five laps of a 1km loop. A race where you can’t ease into, but rather you have to hit the ski running. I would finish second to the currently best-ranked standing skier, and only a few seconds behind, before a much larger gap to third place. I was very pleased with that result, which showed I was close to where I expected to be and that, with a few final adjustments, I would be ready for the season. That 5km was on Thursday, and I would race in a Biathlon race on Sunday as part of the local Calforex Cup. Using Sunday as the final tune-up for Biathlon before the World Cup season started.

The weather did hold, and over 10 days or so, the venue made a tremendous amount of snow. Refreshing the initial Frozen Thunder trails and creating a beautifully white stadium, while covering several additional sections. It is always amazing what can be covered in fresh snow, given the proper temperatures. The venue staff did a fantastic job of providing us with the opportunity to compete.

PC: Megan Dunn

In past Canmore World Cups, one of my biggest challenges was distinguishing between the various other competitions I do in Canmore (Nationals, NorAms, Calforex Cups, Alberta Cups, National Team Trials, time trials and intensities) and the World Cups. One of my focuses this time was to create that distinction. Most of the significant races that I will ever compete in will be where I sleep in a foreign bed. That in itself is a skill that needs to be practiced. If I were to have a poor night’s sleep, I need to address it and find ways to improve it the next night. It is attention to these details that I believe will make a difference in performance, not only this Paralympic year but always.

I had shifted my focus through much of the fall to skate and hadn’t done a lot of classic skiing. I needed to change that a couple of days before the FIS World Cup started, because the first race was a 10km Classic Interval Start: your traditional Cross Country race, a time trial, with each athlete starting 30 seconds apart. The first race was a brutal reminder that a World Cup race demands just that little more from you. It was challenging, and I could feel I was missing the small efficiency details in my skiing after not doing classic skiing that much. I was skiing well, and I’m happy that, with classic not being my focus lately, it was coming back quickly. It was clear to me that there were a few areas for improvement. With that said, I would finish third on the day. Kick-starting the season with a podium finish.

Next up was the freestyle Sprint. I qualified third but ultimately lacked the legs in the Final to hold that position, finishing fourth. Not an unusual story for me; that is pretty much the same script as the previous editions of the Canmore World Cup—a great qualifying run but not the body or legs to hold it together throughout the day. The body is not quite used to the repeated demands of a Sprint day yet; as the season moves on, that will improve.

The final race of the FIS Cross Country World Cup was a 10km Classic Mass Start. In para competitions, this means we used the previous 10km time to estimate the theoretical time to complete the Mass Start. Using that time, 1% is calculated to determine a start order across impairment classes. Let’s say the 1% was 15 seconds. The most impaired athlete class (their normal factor is 87%) starts at zero, followed by the next most impaired class (whose factor is 90%) starting 45 seconds later, while the next class (who are 91%) would start 15 seconds later. The idea is that, with this ‘hunting start’, if athletes of different classes had equal performances, they would arrive at the finish together. Currently, it is the best way we have in a ‘first-across-the-line’ competition. After the calculations, I started on Sunday, three minutes after the first starter. Making me the sixth starter in my category. Anyone I passed would gain placings, but if anyone passed me, I would drop in the rankings. The nature of the race and my ability meant I skied most of it alone. I had caught three earlier starters but had been passed by the eventual winner, so I stayed fourth for much of the race. I had accepted that I might finish fourth, even as I started the fourth and final lap. But as I came around the corner, I spotted one of the athletes ahead of me, and he was close enough to catch. I set about doing just that. As I did, we came up on some other racers, so I had to jump out of the tracks and figure I’d ‘run’ around them. Now, this is what I had to do, but there was a moment when I thought I might outrun the competitor I was chasing for third place. Yeah, I’m not sure in what world I thought that was going to work, as his strength is running. I failed to overtake him on that attempt, and he maintained a lead. It was my superior ski glide on the next descent that brought me alongside him again, before a final steep climb and descent, where I put in a huge effort to open a gap. I then took that gap into the finish, securing my second third-place finish.

That concluded the Para Cross Country World Cup, with two podium finishes and a fourth-place finish. A strong start to the season that showed some improvement in areas, and others that I could still work on. The form was there, or at least where I wanted it for December. I don’t want to be at my best just yet; there are plenty of weeks left before I need or want to peak in my best performances (like 75 days, but who’s counting just yet).

Then straight into the IBU Para Biathlon World Cup, and the opening competitions for the World Cup season. I was happy with my performances during the Cross Country week, but there are always questions as a new season begins. Where am I compared to others? Are others getting fatigued, or are they just coming out of jet lag and getting into their true fitness? Those and a dozen other questions. I knew my speed was there, or thereabouts. I had been strong on the range, but I just needed to remind myself to be deliberate as I approached the range. There was a part of me that was excited to throw down against the best. The first biathlon race of the season was the Sprint, 7.5km with two bouts of shooting and a 150m penalty loop for any missed shots. It was a windy and challenging day on the range. I remember approaching the range for my first bout, thinking the day would be won on the range and that I needed to ensure hits. That’s what I did—hitting my first five. Coming to the range for my second bout, I didn’t know where I stood, but I didn’t think anything had changed yet. Going clean in this last bout would be critical. I had to give my coach a bit of a scare on one of the shots, but as I got up, all five were hits—a clean, 10 for 10. Now I just had to ski the final lap and see where that put me. After the race, talking with several of my competitors, I heard that most had several misses, so the chances of winning were high. But when I finally saw the results, they came as a bit of a shock. I would start the season with a victory, and a large one at that. I won the Sprint by 1 minute 18 seconds. When I reviewed the results later, I found that a couple of skiers, without penalties, were close to me in skiing. That’s the information I found most valuable for the remaining races.

The next race was the Sprint Pursuit. I was not very satisfied with my performance in the morning’s qualification race. Shooting was extremely challenging in gusting winds. I didn’t feel that was the reason for my poor performance. I lost focus, which resulted in mistakes. I believe I’m capable of much better than what I had done. I was upset with myself. I had skied well and put in a huge effort in the final lap to try and ‘out-ski’ some of the shooting penalties. I hoped my skiing might help me catch up and at least give me a chance to fight for a podium in the Final. That’s what happened: a blazing final lap meant I finished second in qualifying, 9.9sec back. After the pursuit calculations, it translated to starting third, 17 seconds back from the first starter and only a second behind the second starter. The second starter soon after the start pulled to the side, to let me by and lead, which I stubbornly or foolishly took. I then skied us quickly to the leader and passed him. I was now the leader halfway through the first lap. In the first bout, I was consistent and steady, hitting all five targets. In the craziness, I had heard a miss from my competitor, so I jumped off the mat and charged hard. This was my chance to open a small gap. I proceeded to do that. Coming in for the second bout, I had a decent lead. I settled and thought I had the targets, but the fourth shot went just wide. I quickly hammered out my penalty loop, and on my exit, I saw my competitor leaving the range. I called for info from the first staff member I saw, and a moment later, they yelled back that I had about 30 seconds, since that competitor had a second penalty loop. That gave me some breathing room, but I wasn’t going to risk it today. I continued to ski the loop and only chanced a glance behind, confirming I was alone in the finishing lanes. That was a day that I was not satisfied with my performance and know I can and need to do better, but I did a few critical elements well, and that salvaged a favourable outcome.

Completing a Backyard Triple. PC: Megan Dunn

As the weather turned to warmer and wetter conditions, I relished the final opportunity here at home for a performance. And it is the format that I have traditionally been very strong in, the Individual. I started with a burst, skiing with dynamic power, wanting to set the tone for myself in the race. I unfortunately missed my fourth shot in the first bout, which only fueled my drive on the ski course. Lap and range times were consistent throughout the race, and I would go clean in the remaining bouts. I was enjoying myself out there in the rain, soaking wet. As I crossed the finish line, I wasn’t sure, but I believed I had done enough to take the victory. After a few minutes, it was confirmed. Victory in the Individual. A third out of three here in Canmore, and to kick off the 2025-26 season. Achieving what I’m calling the Backyard Triple.

That concluded the first period of World Cup racing. One that began at home in Canmore. Without a doubt, my best performance at a Canmore, December World Cup. There was plenty to be excited about, and I’m glad to get a glimpse at where I’m currently at, but there were also plenty of lessons learned. Some were sought after as I trialled aspects of my performance and routine; others were learned the hard way. But all learning is welcomed and helps me as I seek peak performance. After a brief break to recover from an intensive past three weeks, I will return to training over the holidays. Then, early in the New Year, take off for the second period of World Cups. Including two stops in the familiar German towns of Notschrei and Finsterau, before exploring the new venue (and country for me) of Jakuszyce, Poland.  

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and I wish everyone all the best in the coming New Year!

Mark