With the hopes of Team MitoCanada on her back, Canmore’s Brittany Webster was the top Canadian in the women’s 10 kilometre classic cross-country ski race on Thursday (Feb. 13) at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Battling sloppy, soupy, +10C degree temperatures on the unforgiving course, Webster placed 42nd; 3:23 behind gold medal winner Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland.
Cramping from the heat, Webster fell twice on the course – once uphill – and had to battle for every second against the best in the world.
“Awww. It was hard. I found just from the weather and racing in these conditions, I love it… but I did have cramping issues. I’m not sure if I was under hydrated or overhydrated. Too much sports drink,” Webster said.
The pain hit her in the first five kilometres, where the lactate pooled in her legs and she struggled on the climbs. By the second half of the race, the pain had subsided, but she was already too far back.
“It was a little hard to stay on course in these conditions. It happens in these conditions. It’s hot, it’s soupy,” Webster said.
The distance specialist skis for MitoCanada, a charity that raises funds and awareness to combat Mitochondrial disease.
Dasha Gaiazova was six seconds behind Webster in 44th. The sprint specialist had no expectations heading into the race and simply wanted to use it to prepare for the team sprints.
“It’s the kind of race where you have to work everywhere. The snow is so slow. It’s more of a day for those who had better glide,” Gaiazova said.
Gaiazova rarely races 10 km races, but loves to classic ski. With her grandmother in the stands, she wanted to impress the crowd.
“I’m relatively happy. I wish I was a little faster on the downhills,” she said. “I needed more glide. I had plenty of kick.”
Amanda Ammar struggled with the heat in what has been another crazy experience for the scrappy skier to finish 55th, 4:31 behind the winner. The airport in St. Petersburg broke eight pairs of her skis, which had to be repaired in quick order before the Olympics.
“It’s a tough course. You add the hot weather and slow conditions and it makes for a tough day,” Ammar said. “I’m struggling at these Olympics. I’ve had a tough lead in… but I pushed as hard as I can.”
Heidi Widmer also suffered on the course in “gong show” conditions, finishing 57th. Steep hills and hot weather left her dazed and quoting Trailer Park Boys in the finish area.
“We’re calling it survival of the fitness out there today,” Widmer said. “It wasn’t a peach and cake, as Ricky would say.”
In defeat, she said the result will only motivate her to train harder.
“These are the races where you’re feeling awful. I can’t wait to use this as motivation to get better for the next time,” Widmer said.
Emily Nishikawa did not race for Canada, as she’s battling a cold.
The men’s team will compete in the 15 km classic race on Friday (Feb. 14).
