It says something about the calibre of Canada’s ParaNordic cross-country ski team when they use the world championships as a training event – and still win gold.
Canmore ParaNordic star Brian McKeever and guide Erik Carleton climbed to the top of the podium on Monday (Feb. 25), overcoming a 30 second gap to win the classic sprint in the visually impaired category in Solleftea, Sweden.
Starting 30 seconds behind Sweden’s Zebastien Modin (visually-impaired ParaNordic racers are positioned based on the level of their blindness), McKeever and Carleton pressed hard to chase down the front runner. They caught a break when Modin fell on a downhill section of the course, which allowed the Canadians to gain substantial ground.
On the final climb, McKeever decided he had to make his move. The Canadians were using klister, while the Swedes opted to use no wax and double pole the entire course. That gave McKeever an advantage on the climb.
“It was time, for sure. Making gains on guys double poling is easier on climbs. It’s tougher for them to make up time with no wax,” Brian McKeever said.
He left guide Carleton behind and reeled in the Swedes quickly, crossing the finish line with a sizable lead.
The skier, whose blindness is attributed to Stargardt’s disease, which wipes out his central vision, credited his opponents with a strong race.
“If he didn’t crash, I’m not sure we would have caught him,” McKeever said. “In the sprint, anything can happen so you have to try and be as clean as possible and not run into trouble.”
He’s battling an abdominal injury that affects his double poling, but hopes to be in shape for the 90 kilometre Vasaloppett in Sweden on Sunday (March 2).
Head coach Robin McKeever, Brian’s brother and former guide, said the Canadians needed some help to win the gold. Their chief competition fell during the semifinals and they caught a break against the Swedes. A big part of racing is staying out of trouble, and the men’s team did that.
“I think Brian was a little lucky today. The guy from Sweden (Modin) had a crash on the downhill and probably lost 10 to 15 seconds. But that’s racing and that’s blind racing,” Robin McKeever said.
The head coach said the focus for these Games is preparing for next year’s ParaNordic Games.
“Our main goal for this trip is Sochi, where we have a World Cup stop, so we’re doing some training while we’re here. The key is Sochi because the whole program is about the Paralympics in Sochi. Right now, we’re still jetlagged; only been here three days.”
McKeever and Carleton want to be in top shape for the Vasaloppett, which is a 90-kilometre battle through Sweden. Considered the biggest cross-country ski race in the world, it attracts many of Europe’s best, while some World Cup ski racers also opt to compete in the event alongside families.
“It’s a bit like the Boston Marathon on skis. It’s an elite race, but also a cultural event,” Brian McKeever said.
“Fitness-wise, we’ll be ready. It’s a hard race. You’re out there for four hours against the best skiers in the world and some of the best specialists. You’re against full pro teams gearing up for that race like you see on the Tour de France,” Brian McKeever said. “There are very few opportunities to race the pros as well as mom, dad and the kids.”
Last year, McKeever was cruising in the top 10 but broke a pole, costing him the chance to finish strongly.
“I was in a good position when it happened. The farther you are out ahead, the more you’ll stay out of trouble,” he said.
Canmore’s Mark Arendz also competed in the sprints, but a fall in the semifinals cost him a trip to the finals. He settled on a 12th place finish.
Sit-skier Chris Klebl, also of Canmore, finished 13th.
