Whistler – deemed (appropriately) the fastest, most technical track in the world – a true test of a pilot’s ability to react and respond. So, despite the fact that many of my Canadian counterparts have hundreds and hundreds of runs on this 2010 Winter Olympic venue, and the reality that MY first time sliding The Whis was a mere year and a half ago – it is thankfully a track that I connected with the first time I entered Corner 1 … just a short 17 months ago.
Perspective.
To this day, I have less than a hundred runs on the west coast’s glass-like ice – and even though it has been said to me that success in Whistler is directly relative to the number of runs taken — I always knew I could challenge that belief – and every time I get the opportunity – I do.
Desire.
Skip past the media spots; on-air interviews, cameos and Whistler Sliding Centre promo script and we arrive at my very first world class competition in Whistler. My point total after 2 races had earned me my spot in the top overall 10 women ranking and thus put me into the race draw.
Forth off — stepping to the line — my heart was racing. I hesitated slightly off the block but as I loaded and heading into corner 1, ready to initiate my first steer, I knew Phrixus wanted to fly. So, we did.
Forth off — stepping to the line — my heart was racing. I hesitated slightly off the block but as I loaded and heading into corner 1, ready to initiate my first steer, I knew Phrixus wanted to fly. So, we did.
The run slid us into 1st place – and after the remaining sleds; heading into heat 2 – I found myself sitting a fraction from 1st, 4 hundredths from 3rd (Sarah Reid) and about a 10th from 4th (Mellisa Hollingsworth).
Canadian girls sitting 2- 3-4 on our only “home” race-stop this season. . . It was a thing of beauty – and foreshadows a strength that is building within our World Cup squad that will undoubtedly continue to pulse through the veins of this team for years to come.
Passion.
Run two – in true World Cup fashion was filled with shuffling and overall rank change ups.
My heart was pounding with more intensity as I stepped back up to the block … second last sled off …
Standing with Phrixus, Head Coach Duff Gibson greeted me with a smile. To my left, Ken Wong and Kelly Forbes piped up with some final push reminders. And to my right – I spotted a full front row of supporters – all cheering and encouraging my succeess.
Helmet on.
Jacket off.
Track cleared.
The boom camera faced me directly. I put my sled down and took two deep breaths (as previously instructed by Tyson) Additionally, I had made a quiet promise to myself that I would put my head down through the mid to bottom portion of the track – to gather as much speed as possible.
“Letting it fly” is what we call allowing the sled to take natural lines through corners. It can be a risky move but works best when the pilot has set up the entrance to a key corner properly that dictates a series of upcoming curves.
I believed I had controlled my sled just enough to do exactly that …. But in this case, I was a touch off.
A later-than-recognized entrance into corner 9 started a time loss that wouldn’t show up on the interval splits until the final two corners. From being more than 0.10 ahead … To completing the run .20 behind. I would see my time flash with a #3 next to it on the clock … which meant I dropped two spots and would ultimately be awarded 4th place. (Sarah grabbed the SILVER and Mel ended 5th!) My final combined time was off the podium by 0.02 (take THAT 0.06ths!!) haha – now that’s progress – and an incredible result for the entire Canadian Women’s team!!
Racing – much like life – is not like the movies – even though we try and convince ourselves that’s how it should be …
That being said I’m glad I experienced the emotions that can come with the reality that is “almost winning .. but then not”.
 |
| Whistler TOP 6 |
Straight off the track a scrum of reporters had questions for me and the one that stuck out was, “So, 4th again — are you getting sick of seeing that number?”
I literally started laughing at the ridiculous statement. “4th again?” I joked. “Sure, in three World Cup races ever – and I’ve already secured two Olympic qualifiers …. Yeah, I think I can still smile. ”
Time was probably regarded as a precious asset long before anybody started measuring it. Our sport, like many, pits us against a ticking clock we can’t even see until we are done our job. In the same way, we spend an enormous amount of it preparing for these brief moments … doing all the little things, to make an even tinier difference. So, what’s the point? The point is that it’s worth it. Every little instance of success, every millisecond of understanding – all gained through moments of greatness.
As a Skeleton Racer – I really have already grown so much this season and I know for a fact that it is largely in part to being a member of a team that has worked as a unit from the get-go. We understand that time is always ticking – but we haven’t let that get in the way of enjoying the ride (even if/when each and every second doesn’t go exactly as planned … ) And the best part? It’s only just the beginning.
As a Skeleton Racer – I really have already grown so much this season and I know for a fact that it is largely in part to being a member of a team that has worked as a unit from the get-go. We understand that time is always ticking – but we haven’t let that get in the way of enjoying the ride (even if/when each and every second doesn’t go exactly as planned … ) And the best part? It’s only just the beginning.
Pack – unpack – laundry … re-pack – board a plane- fly across the Atlantic Ocean!
3 races down – 2 of 4 Olympic qualifiers secured – 6 races to go.
We are now safely in Germany. Adidas Team Gear all gathered and fitted.
The Viessemann FIBT World Cup race #4 will get underway in Winterberg, GER – Catch all the action December 7th – Women’s Race at 10:00AM!
If you can believe something great – you can achieve something great
Great play by play of your races Cassie! I feel like I'm right there in the front row, and I can't wait to catch the next one. You've climbed your mountain…now for the slide down!