Spain 2005

We arrived at Whistler a few days early in order to acclimatize... okay, maybe it was partially just to hang out in one of the coolest towns in Canada. Anyway, things were HOT that week, with average temperatures in the mid-30's and I was happy with my 12th-place result, as I was racing with some of the best women in the world.

Me ripping along one of many ladder bridges on the Canada Cup course at Whislter. Yeah, my face looks HOT! Photo courtesy of Canadian Cyclist.

It was even too hot for Karina, who was visiting from Peru and who helped Jeanine out in the tech zone on race day. Muchas gracias, chicas!

I love riding at Whistler, one of Canada's many mountain biking Meccas. This year's course was technical with tonnes of wooden ladder bridges and short power climbs. It was hot (35+ degrees), but I was motivated and prepared. Before the race, I got hydrated, took cold baths to keep my body temperature down. I kept ice packs on my neck during warm up and stuffed ice cubes in the legs of my shorts while waiting on the start line. I was not going to let the heat get to me!

The start loop took us around a grass field (which didn't spread us out at all) before we popped into a narrow climb and onto the course. I managed to get a good position and avoided being caught up in traffic. I was pleased with how I felt. The heat didn't get to me and my legs had a lot more power than the week before. I was also very happy with how I was riding technically. Despite the relatively non-technical riding I'd been doing in Europe, I still haven't lost it! Although I felt so much better than I did at Nationals, I still know I have more speed in me that I need to unleash!

We powered around four laps of a six-kilometre course with some of North America's -- heck, the world's -- best female racers, including Marie-Helene Premont, Alison Sydor, Kiara Bisaro, Mary McConneloug and Kelli Emmett. I'm really pleased with my 12th-place result. I was only around 15 minutes behind Marie-Helene in a race that took her nearly two hours to finish, while last weekend, I was 17 minutes back in a race that took her only one and a half hours. I still want to get 15 more minutes faster!!!

Many thanks to everyone who supported me! Thank you Jeanine, Juerg, Karina and everyone else on the sidelines!

Elite & Espoir Women (4 laps, 24km)
1. Marie-Helene Premont (QC, Rocky Mountain / Business Objects) 1:55:55
2. Mary McConneloug (USA, Kenda/Seven Cycles) 1:59:24
3. Kiara Bisaro (BC, TEAM RACE.COM) 2:02:10
12.Sandra Walter (BC, X.O-Felt) 2:11:03