The 2011 Fall World Cups

Ready for the Challenge

The 2011 World Cup season has begun and includes three stops: the first at Chelyabinsk, Russia; the second at Astana, Kazakhstan; and the third at Heerenveen, Netherlands. These locations are so distant from each other that a lot of traveling is required. Lounging in airports, other energy-draining challenges and long flights await, but good things come to those who are patient.

Our flight from Calgary to Chelyabinsk included stops at Frankfurt and Moscow with the total travel time being about 36 hours. The time zone difference between Calgary and Chelyabinsk is 13 hours, so we also needed a few days to adjust our internal clocks. Chelyabinsk is a very nice city with a good market which some of us visited. A photo posted on my Twitter page (@CNezzy) also demonstrates winter has come to the city! Now to the World Cup races.

Chelyabinsk World Cup

On Saturday morning the ice at the oval was a little slow, perhaps because of the cold weather. My first race was the 1500m and surprisingly the adrenalin was not flowing as it should. Nevertheless, I medalled (silver) but it was clear I had things to work on. Sunday brought more success, winning both the 1000m race and the Women’s Team Pursuit with Brittany Schussler and Cindy Klassen.

The first World Cup meet is a competition that always brings our strengths and weaknesses into focus and my performance certainly can be improved — of course that is a priority for all of us. So the next week provides time to work on some of these before the second World Cup competition next weekend.

Astana World Cup

On Podium for 1500m with Claudia Pechstein and Ireen Wust. photo by S. Filippov

The team headed to Astana, Kazakhstan immediately after Chelyabinsk. The ice at the Alau Oval was to my liking, as was our entire week in Astana. My first 500m on Friday was OK but the 2nd 500m race on Saturday morning was much better. It gave me confidence to go out hard and fast in the 1500m race. It was my fastest 1500m start ever and I was able to hold on during the last lap to win the race and set a track record as well. I have been experimenting with the starts for the 1500m and decided to try a very fast start this weekend. It worked this time!

The 1000m race on Sunday was very satisfying. I started fast and had an excellent first full lap (27.3 sec) which I think sealed the win and helped greatly in setting the 1000m track record. I have enjoyed the week and the city of Astana. I hope we can return to race again to the Alau Oval. Now on to Heerenveen!