No sleep? No problem.
That was cross-country skier Dasha Gaiazova’s mantra heading into her second race of the week at the Haywood Ski Nationals.
She arrived at Whistler Olympic Park for cross-country ski nationals just in time to win the 10 kilometre classic race and then followed it up with a classic sprint gold medal on March 28.
“I’m so tired it’s ridiculous, but the body seems to be holding up, so I can’t be happier,” Gaiazova said shortly after the race. “I haven’t been sleeping at all with the jet lag and everything. It’s amazing how much the body is capable off.”
The win secured Gaiazova’s 11th Canadian national title and gave her a taste for gold she wants to bring into next year’s races.
“This, for me, to be able to set a goal of winning and come through is a big building block for next year’s Olympics,” Gaiazova said.
Gaiazova was dominant through the heats, overpowering her opposition to set up a final that included Perianne Jones, Heidi Widmer, Bettina Gruber, Alysson Marshall and Marlis Kromm. The longer, 1.4 km track also helped Gaiazova, who simply overpowered her opponents from the start line. Tactically, the long-legged sprinter stayed out of trouble by gaining an early lead and never looking back.
The Russian-born Gaiazova will now return to Russia for a week of racing as part of a sprint series, which she’ll partner with a visit home.
In Whistler, Gaiazova said she was trying to win off the front and wants to capture that “winner’s hunger” she can bring to next season’s World Cup and Olympic Games.
Bettina Gruber of Switzerland finished second overall, while Perianne Jones was the second-fastest Canadian. Alysson Marshall was the third-fastest Canadian.
For Jones, she was happy to race and earn points for her home club – Nakkertok, which took the overall club title by edging Canmore Nordic Ski Club on the final day.
“It was really fun, but I’m glad it’s over,” Jones said.
American Jennie Bender won the B final, followed by Canmore’s Amanda Ammar.
Meanwhile, cross-country superstar Len Valjas dominated the men’s classic sprints, leading most of the day. The title was his third, and the lanky sprinter was mobbed by young fans at the finish line.
“I was out here to enjoy the day and have fun. It’s been a long season. It’s good to feel better than I have the last two weeks on World Cup. I really didn’t feel that good, so it’s good to get back in there,” Valjas said.
Temperatures soared on the day, turning parts of the Whistler course into slush. That suited the Toronto native well.
“This is fine. I didn’t have much grip so I had to make all of my moves over the top and work the downhill,” Valjas said.
In a thrilling finish, Graham Nishikawa stuck himself onto Valjas’s tail, which carried him to a silver medal. Phil Widmer tried to make a push, but found himself boxed in and ended up with the bronze medal. That meant Valjas knew he was well positioned for the final push.
“I was looking for ski tips beside me and I didn’t see any. I had one more tiny gear if I saw them,” Valjas said.
Sarah Beaudry won the junior women’s category, followed by Dahria Beatty and Maya MacIsaac-Jones. Eziekiel Williams was the fastest junior male, while Julien Locke won silver and Matthew Saurette won bronze.
