Adam Kates

Coming soon!

Another Trip Across the Atlantic
Saturday, February 19, 2005

This year I made my fifth journey to Europe to test my fitness against some of the best skiers in the world. My voyage began in Italy with a race in Val de Fiemme. The 10km skate race, which is typically one of my best events, did not go well. I started decently but could not hold my form and finished well back of the leaders. The next morning however the reason for my poor performance was revealed as I woke up sick with a cold. I spent the next week resting and attempting to get better for the weekend’s races in Oberstdorf, Germany. Unfortunately I was not able to recover and was forced to sit out the next two races. It has been a while since I have had to watch a ski race from the sidelines and I must admit that it is one of my least favorite activities. Definitely not the start I was looking for.
After recovering from my illness, which kept me on the shelf for just over a week, it was back to Italy to try my hand at the 70km Marcialonga World Loppet Race. One of the largest ski races in the world, The Marcialonga is contested by some 5000 competitors from all over the world and boasts former World and Olympic Champions. Lining up at 8:30am in the company of some of the best athletes in the world for what was to be one of the most challenging undertakings of my life was quite an experience. The Marcialonga begins in the Italian village of Moena with 20km of challenging uphill and then descends through “The Valley of Fire” finishing with a grueling 3km uphill leading to the finish line in Cavelese. The event was perhaps the most unbelievable racing experiences of my life. Weaving through small Italian villages and towns, the entire course is lined with thousands of cheering spectators. A welcome change from the empty race trails that are common in North America. Although I struggled with slippery skis for the first part of the race I was able to ski strong and finish a respectable 40th place. Normally I would be disappointed or even devastated with a placing of 40th but considering the elite field and the sheer number of competitors, I’ll take it.
After such a positive experience in Italy it was off to Austria to contest that country’s national championships. Still recovering from pushing myself so hard in Italy I was unable to muster up a good result and raced well below my potential.
My final stop on my European Tour was in Slovenia. Two races, one a mass start 15km classic and the other a 3*6.6km skate relay, were on the agenda. I was still tired from my 70km effort two-week prior but was able to pull off a decent effort in the first race. The relay was also solid. I skied hard and was in the company of world class racers for the first half of it.
I am now back in Canada after a long and trying trip home that took me from Zurich to Amsterdam, from Amsterdam to Minneapolis, form Minneapolis to Calgary and finally from Calgary to Canmore. As the jet lag wears off I am beginning to look forward to my next and probably final races of the season; the Canadian National Championships in Prince George, British Columbia. I feel like I am finally coming into form after a season that can best be characterized as sub-par. Only time will tell how I will fare against the best skiers in the nation but I look forward to ending my season on a positive note.

Action begins on March 1st….I’ll keep you posted

Kates