The springtime announcement of Canada’s national cross-country ski team tends to bring little fanfare, but for two Banff siblings, it was front page news.
Roommates and siblings Phil and Heidi Widmer are now teammates on Team Canada following a Cross Country Canada announcement on April 26.
After a two-year absence, Phil Widmer was named to the Canadian national ski program following a year where he cemented his reputation as Canada’s top domestic sprinter. After a few lean years, Phil had a handful of international starts this season after a few struggles after the Vancouver Olympics. However, he never doubted his Olympic dream.
“It feels great. I’m really appreciative for the support the national team has given me. Not being on the team for two years, you really appreciate it when it’s there,” Widmer said.
On snow, Widmer, 29, was more consistent this past season. His best World Cup result was a 15th-place finish in Canmore, which is something he’ll have to improve upon if he wants to reach the Sochi Olympics.
“I was pretty committed for this year. I still feel I have more to prove internationally. This year, I’m committed to going to Sochi. With the support from Sport Canada and the national team, it makes it easier.”
Off snow, Widmer had to work more hours at his family’s restaurant, Ticino’s, in Banff, as well as scrounge up more sponsors.
After skiing with the Alberta World Cup Academy, Widmer had his best season in years, but knows he’s capable of more.
“I think my energy was better through the year. I had good fight. After another year, I was more comfortable with the World Cup Academy and its coaches. At our level, it’s not huge things that make a difference.
Team Canada head coach Justin Wadsworth said Widmer deserved to return.
“It’s good to get Phil back on the team. He trained on his own for a bit and raised his level. His show of commitment really paid off and we’re glad to give him a spot,” Wadsworth said. “Sometimes you have to go within yourself and ask why you’re still skiing to make that next level. We’re happy to support him again.”
Heidi Widmer was named to the senior national development team for the first time of her career. She had steady results early on, and dominated at Canadian nationals, where she was in the mix at every distance. Proving to the nation she’s capable of strong distance and sprint results, her multiple medals solidified her spot on Team Canada.
“It has been a goal of mine since I was a junior racer to some day make it onto the national team. Being selected is an incredible honour and I can’t wait to keep the momentum going forward,” Heidi wrote in her blog.
Heidi was elated to share the news with her brother and roommate, who she’s watched work extremely hard. This is Heidi’s first year on the team.
Big brother Phil was equally impressed with his sister’s work.
“It’s double awesome. To achieve success together is great,” Phil said. “Heidi hasn’t changed much. She’s committed to how to go about things. She had good results early on and by nationals, she was skiing amazing. It shows her commitment to the process.”
“Everyone on (the team) has really done a solid job. The new addition of Heidi Widmer for the first time is good. It’s always good to have more females on the team. We feel she’s a talent and needs our support to make it to the next level,” Wadsworth said.
This year’s team is carrying one extra skier following retirements by Brent McMurtry and Frederic Touchette. Wadsworth said criteria was opened up after some of the athletes didn’t hit all of their performance goals. The senior development athletes are also considered those with the best chance to fill out Canada’s Olympic roster. Canada will have 12 cross-country ski spots in Sochi.
“With the development team, we didn’t have the performances we were hoping for. They didn’t make a lot of the development criteria to be reselected, but we had to keep them in the development process. That gives them their best shot to succeed,” Wadsworth said.
The head coach wants to see more development athletes race overseas, however, budget restrictions mean they can’t take everyone they’d like to take.
“We’re focused on getting them more trips. The goal is to get them to qualify,” Wadsworth said.
The rest of Canada’s senior development team includes Cendrine Brown (Que.), Jess Cockney (Alta.), Raphael Couturier (Que.), Graeme Killick (Alta.), Alysson Marshall (B.C.), Emily Nishikawa (Yukon), Graham Nishikawa (Yukon), Kevin Sandau (Alta.) and Michael Somppi (Ont.).
