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What a Day!
What A Day for the U.S.A.!
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\r\nWell, the ol' red, white, and blue where out on the trails fighting for good results in the 15/30km duathalon races. Unfortunately, our colors could have looked like black and blue and almost bloody to those on the sidelines. I say this because amongst our team we were hashing it out in the men's and women's races to place either second to last or last apart from Kris Freeman who ended in the mid 40's. It wasn't a good day in many ways. If this were golf I would consider this my mulligan race. Whatever a mulligan is? Our tech guys-coaches-wax dudes put it this way, "Today was just a mistake."
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\r\nIt was a mass start and with about 42 women in the field. The women raced three times around a 2.5km classic loop and three times around a 2.5km skate loop. Both Wendy and I had to start near the back, your position is determined by points, so it was going to be a tough race. At the sound of the gun the skis and poles start to to move, the pace was fierce right from the go. We all stayed together until the first major down hill, this is when you find out how fast your skis are running, and I quickly realized that I was in trouble when 10 other ladies flew by me and I found myself at the back of the race. We weren't even a 1k into the race and I was already in last place. You know what that does for someone's mental game? It is the worse feeling. I continued along trying to stay positive about anything and after 7.5k made the exchange onto my skate gear. Wendy was right ahead of me so I caught her and we skied together for a lap then I picked up the pace just a bit and finished 50 seconds ahead of her in second to last place. We will go on from here knowing that it can only get better. It is kind of an easy race to shake off because it was so ridiculous that all you could do was hold on to your pride and finish with some kilometers of racing in your pocket.
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\r\nAs for the conditions, I must relate how they have deteriorated. When we arrived in this scenic little valley the tracks were bomb proof with corduroy groomed so deeply in it that it could take you down. Now, that we have come through three warm and very windy days, the trails are like dirty slush runs with little evidence of any grooming whatsoever. On a perfect snow and wax day this course would be so great. It has a little of everything that is challenging including a down hill that makes one loose their lunch, or more realistically your skin if you crash. Only the men raced down this on their wobbly lactic laden legs today.
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\r\nTomorrow is the classic team sprint which will be contested on another very tough 1km course. I will be sitting this one out and saving up for something a little more my style. I can't wait to watch a World Cup live. This is a rare occasion for us racers and I think I will savor it.
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\r\nThen, on Monday we will say goodbye to this place until we come back here next year for the Olympics. it is hard to believe that we are one short year away. On Monday we will go to Germany for a camp and another World Cup before World Championships.
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\r\nRight now we are a frustrated with the housing issue for our team as well as for friends and family wishing to come over. The lodging within a couple kilometers of the venue is going for roughly $90,000 Euro a month which is approximately $120,000 dollars. This is with a cap of 15 people per place. We figure we could use our whole years budget in a month and eat nothing with only half our team and staff staying there. Oh, yeah and we would need to swim the Atlantic to get here. So for now folks, invest in a warm sleeping bag and camping pad cause we're taking over the Fort de Fenestrelle! Who wants the permanent fire stocking job? Actually, there is some hope that cheaper lodging will become available as private home owners consider renting out their homes and apartments. The Olympic committee has put a cap on how much a hotel can charge for housing and this will also be applied to some other places too. For more information you can email the following-
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\r\nincoming@montagnedoc.it
\r\ngamesaccomodation@montagnedoc.it
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\r\nLook for better and more exciting results from the whole team and thanks for your support in every way.
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\r\nArivederci,
\r\nRebecca and the Dussaultskis
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Women heading up the first hill. Photo by Sharbel Dussault
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Rebecca and Wendy just after the start. Photo by Sharbel Dussault
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Written By: RDussaultDate Posted: 1/22/2005Number of Views: 235
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