Ukrainian, Italian Win at Canmore
January 25, 2008
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Canmore World Cup Coverage Special to CrossCountrySkier.com See the rest of our coverage

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In a separate interview with Cross Country Skier Magazine, Italian Giorgio Di Centa spoke of the importance of the Italian team spirit. Evidence of that spirit came through today as the Italian men playfully bounced around like children in the finishing chute. Hugs and jubilation among them continued through the press conference. The Italians are having fun racing.

The only challenge to be voiced by any of the athletes in Canmore is the time change from Europe. The Russians came as early as possible to acclimate to the time change and to the altitude. Many countries, including Italy and Germany, have had no complaint about the altitude. Piller Cottrer could not help to make a humorous comment about Canadian food not quite living up to his Italian expectations.

Canmore Continues to Shine

Members of the Canadian media have addressed the racers with the same question in one form or another several times: “how does Canmore compare?” The answer sounds like a broken record: “ very well…among the best World Cup venues…hard trails…great grooming…wonderful organization…friendly people…cold but stable conditions.” It is clear that Canmore and the province of Alberta have built themselves a world class venue and organization.

For the athletes, Canmore’s quality is a ticket to problem-free racing. For the spectator, it is a joy to take in the show. The racers wind back and forth through terrain that offers lots of places to watch the various phases of a race develop.

Details are taken care of as well. At several other World Cup venues, a “leader’s” chair has been placed in the finish area for the interval start race’s intermediate leader to sit in until she or he gets bested. The chair reflects the region’s heritage and has ceremonial attendants dressed in the region’s traditional garb.

Leif Zimmerman enjoys a stint in the leader's chair at Canmore.

Canmore did not miss a beat. Successive race leaders, including the USST’s Leif-Orin Zimmerman, sat in a chair covered by a classic Canadian Hudson Bay wool blanket flanked by the Calgary Stampede’s Queen and Princess dressed in traditional western wear. (The Calgary Stampede is an iconic event of Western, Can-American culture.) The post race medal’s ceremony is attended by an honor guard of Royal Canadian Mounted Police in full regalia in order to maintain the color and pageantry of the entire event.

Hassles do not seem to occur at Canmore. A virtual army of volunteers and staff keep everything moving like a proverbial well-oiled machine. Things get done. For instance, two days ago there was a pedestrian traffic flow problem over some of the television wiring on the course. Today, a carpenter had constructed a 40 foot long stairway on the same hillside, fencing was strung alongside it and the problem vanished.

Canmore is a wonderful place for a World Cup.

Complete results are available at http://fis-ski.com.