Kate Woods and Gabriel Price wrapped up their junior careers in style, taking home two medals from Canadian Nationals last week in Newfoundland.
Both went in hoping to medal, but faced an uphill battle after they each got off to a rocky start.
The weather didn’t help. Strong winds and rain provided slushy conditions that made it difficult for the skiers to find the right set up.
“There were challenging waxing conditions,” Woods said. “And skiing on slushy snow isn’t something I’m used to. You have to change your technique, but I wasn’t able to change mine enough.”
Woods placed 22nd in her first race, the 7.5 km classic.
“It was definitely one of my weaker events, and last year I finished top-10 in every event, so I was a bit disappointed.”
Two days later, Woods was back at it in the 10 km skate. She placed 10th, but, again, the conditions weren’t ideal.”
“People were saying there were 100 km winds,” Woods said. “It didn’t get that bad on the track, but it was definitely windy.”
In her third race, Woods qualified for the finals in the 1.2 km sprint, but got tangled up with another skier and placed 18th.
Woods saved her best for the last race of her junior career, the 7.5 km mass start.
The 50 plus racers stayed close together for the first half of the race, but at the beginning of the third lap a pack of five shot out from the main group. Woods stuck with them.
One girl moved far ahead of the pack. With silver in her sights, Woods made her move and separated from the remaining three in the lead group. She cruised to a second place finish, the first national podium finish of her career.
“I was so excited afterwards,” Woods said. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Her teammate’s week followed a similar trajectory.
Price was looking to build upon a fourth place finish at nationals two years ago.
“I was definitely hoping I would get a medal,” Price said.
“When I went to Quebec I was pretty stoked about finishing fourth and I wanted to see if I could do better than that.”
In his first race of the week, Price finished 14th, while battling difficult conditions.
“It went okay. It was raining sideways, and that made conditions really tricky.”
Two days later, Price moved up three spots to 11th in the 7.5 km skate.
The following day, he failed to qualify for the 1 km sprint.
With the week of competition winding down, Price had only one chance left to get on the podium.
“I just decided that I was going to go for it in the final race and give it everything I had.”
The 15 km mass start provided him with the chance.
He started two rows back, but managed to break free of the main pack and get into the lead group. Throughout, Price continued to stay out front as skier after skier fell off the pace and by the third lap he was all alone in third place.
“I was just trying to stay ahead of the guy behind. Eventually I had a look around and there wasn’t anybody around.”
Price maintained his lead the rest of the way, crossing the finish line in third place.
“It was a great way to end the season, for sure. I was really happy.”
Both skiers were quick to credit their coaches and the local cross country club for their success.
“I just want to thank all the coaches, the track setters and everyone else at the club” Price said. “It’s been a really good experience.”
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Woods echoed.
“Chris and my dad and all of the coaches have been great.”
Price will head to the University of Victoria next fall after graduating Smithers Secondary this year.
He’s planning on trying out for the university soccer team, but that might be it for his competitive cross country career.
“I think I’ll continue to do it, but just for fun. Maybe hit up some of the local races.”
As for Woods, she is either planning on going to university next year, or continuing to train in preparation for the Canada Winter Games in Prince George next January.