World Championships 2012

What a GREAT World Championships in Ruhpolding, Germany. I would say Germany has the most exuberant fans, amazing atmosphere, and ever changing conditions!

Opening Ceremonies

I left Canada after racing the IBU cups in Canmore, and headed straight for the Ramslerhof in Ruhpolding. My arrival into Ruhpolding was absolutely stunning- it was a winter wonderland with so much snow and people skiing all over the place. Of course, it seemed too good to be true as it rained hard for the next 2 days and turned the gorgeous snow into a bit of a frozen mush disaster. Luckily the team at the Chiemgau stadium worked so hard on the tracks that it was not so much of a problem for the races!

Everyone wanted to interview New Zealand...they just didn't know it ;)

Dad and I in Ruhpolding

My father arrived 2 days later to be my trainer during the 10 days of the World Champs. It was great having him there and he did really well. Thanks Dad :) Unfortunately my mother could not make it as she had broken her ankle- We missed you, Mum! It was also SO nice to catch up with all the other athletes. You don't realize how much you miss the group until you come back!

The first race was the 7.5km sprint. Zeroing for the race went very smoothly with no domestics between my father and I. I was starter 64 out of 118 women, so it was exciting to be starting in the middle of such a large field. As soon as I started, I felt much better than Canmore. Mentally I was much more into and really enjoyed myself the whole race. I cleaned my prone, hitting all 5 targets, and came into standing excited but nervous. I hit 4 out of 5 targets in standing, so only one penalty loop! Thank goodness, because the snow was so soft I don't think my body could have handled anymore than on extra loop! I finished the sprint in 78th position, so I did not qualify for the pursuit. I feel as I had a good personal race, so I am very happy with it. There was also 30,000 people there...no big deal really ;)

 

Hongi with the locals :)

After a couple days off from racing to train and enjoy Ruhpolding, the 15km Individual race day popped up. I am not going to lie- I was nervous for this race. 15km in deep snow was not what my body was looking forward to, but in my head I said "SARAH, this could potentially be your last World Championships race! Buck up and just enjoy it!". And I did. I had such a good race because I was in such a positive mind frame- the crowd was absolutely amazing, my skis were SO fast (Thanks Falke and Team Greenland!) and the weather was gorgeous. After shooting clean in my first prone I was just loving life- buuuuut then I missed 2 in standing, 1 in the next prone, and 2 in my last standing. 15/20 hits, which these days is normal for me. But, I will never forget this race- I just loved it so much- even if I could barely standup after going into a tuck!

And then that was it! That was the end of my 2011/12 biathlon season- and if I do not find a sponsor- potentially the end of my biathlon career. It is heartbreaking, but whatever happens- it is life and it is amazing anyways. I am now in Norway, training for the Arctic Circle Race (ACR) in Nittedal, right by Oslo, and staying with the Greenland team.

Wish me luck in Greenland- It's going to be a toughy!

Much Love,

Sarah

Canmore IBU race number 1!

Jp and I in the Canmore parade!

Canmore has been the most amazing place this last week.  Beautiful blue sky days, perfect ski tracks, and an amazing atmosphere. It has been the perfect rev-up for the IBU cup races happening right now! BIG news on the Team New Zealand front- we have JP Lilburne here from NZ racing in the mens category! Thats right- we have 2 people on our team now- We have doubled!

My preparation for these races has been...lets say different to others. Working three days a week as a ski patroller at Lake Louise Ski Field is amazing and I am enjoying it immensely. It is really satisfying helping someone with an injury down the mountain in the toboggan, giving someone tips on where to go, and the few turns we get in ourselves isn't too shabby either ;) 

Training has been great as well, and through January I was feeling really strong. And then last Saturday came about and I fell sick. Ah Murphy's law! Right before the 1st real races of the season! So, I have been recovering since Saturday, drinking garlic, ginger, lemon and honey concoctions (better than it sounds!) and resting up. I think it is working- but I am still sounding like a bull frog.

So today I decided to race the 7.5km sprint- the first race of the IBU races here in Canmore! I was really excited to be racing again. I ended up missing 2 in prone and 3 in standing. What a disaster on such a perfect day! But, I have decided to look at this race as though it was a warmup race and hopefully things will improve from here. There is another sprint tomorrow so here's hoping....

Jp also raced, and did great. He missed 5 as well and thoroughly enjoyed himself out on those trails.

Thank you everyone who came up to the races and cheered us all on! Also, thank you to everyone not there for the telepathic love :)

Smile!!!!

Sarah