Just a quick update here:

Today was... interesting.

I barely snuck through my morning's qualifier in the classic sprint up here in Kuusamo (as per my usual qualifying speed this time of year, haha). The qualifier was not great to say the least: I didn't ski that well, and was rushing instead of skiing up the two big climbs on this tough course above the Arctic Circle.

The good news was that I did what I had to do, qualifying a fairly dismal 27th, yet good enough to get into the rounds - the real race, and my strength: head to head racing. I was feeling confident and ready to uncork it in my quarter final. It was perfect, and the conditions couldn't have been better: -9, great tracks, and the course suited me, with 2 long and steep climbs in the 3 odd minute classic sprint.

My plan was to hang near the back, stay relaxed (along with two big uphills, there were obviously 2 big downhills to glide up to people) and out of trouble and if my shape was there the plan was to really hammer the last big climb (maybe 20-30 seconds long) and DP like a banshee into the finish.

It was text book. I was in 5th for the first half, then when I moved up at the bottom of the huge climb, my legs feeling snappy and my body was responding just how I knew it would. I climbed really well, and then was able to double pole strongly into the finish of my heat easily finishing 2nd and thus advancing onwards. My second goal of the day was accomplished, and I was surprised at the ease of moving through the my quarter final. I was never felt "stretched or red lined" out there, and after the race I was able to recover very quickly. Great, I thought. Things are on the right track.

Wrong. After a quick cool down jog and with my spirits and confidence high, things came crashing down. I was notified that I was disqualified for a "technique infraction." I was obviously shattered and rather upset really. I was feeling awesome! I was climbing great, and already prepared for my next round!

In classic sprinting you have to push your own limits, and although I can't pin-point or remember "going over the edge," the jury seemed to think I did. I didn't see the race, so I can't really comment. That said, when you are "on the edge, sometimes you'll fall off." And today, that's what happened. The only good thing about the heat was that with me DQ'ed, it moved Stef (who was in my heat - after qualifying 24th) up from 4th to 3rd, which gave him a much improved result! It ended up being his best WC ever, and 15th is a great way to start the sprint season for Stef!

The bummer was Hetland (who I knocked out), advanced - then went on to finish 2nd... Arghh!

The shape is there, technique solid and I had great speed. It would have been amazing to see how the semi would have played out - I tend to get stronger and stronger in the heats. Alas, there's no need for predictions... I got DQ'ed. That's the reality. It sucked, I'm upset about it, but after some time to "decompress," I know a few things: I'm in solid form, and it's November. The beauty of the World Cup is that there's plenty of chances.

I'm just uber-bummed that I couldn't use the shape I had today as you never know day to day when you'll have a day like I was having today. Man, it just drives me nuts!?!

Fuel for the fire for tomorrow I guess. It's a 15km classic, and I just hope to have similar feelings body-wise tomorrow... We'll have to see how it goes.

D.

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