Wearing the maple leaf and the word Canada across my back has always represented one of my dreams, because it would mean racing for Canada on the world stage. Receiving all my National Ski Team gear after qualifying for World U23s at trials in Canmore was in itself a really exciting moment for me. Unfolding that big blinding yellow parka and seeing the red lettering across the back meant one of my dreams realized, and here it was, in my hands, in all it's neon glory. 

I donned the coat proudly, and somehow made it through the airport without getting told to go back to work on the tarmac to direct aircraft traffic, and boarded my flight to Munich where the exciting journey of World U23 Championships would begin.

The weather was pretty gloomy landing in Munich, but I was already riding the euro high and loving every bit of Europe as it came. I peered eagerly out the window of the van until we arrived in Seefeld Austria, the first stop of our pre-championship training camp.

The Seefeld portion of the trip was mostly adjusting to the time change, and getting in the early days of training while managing the jet lag. Upon arrival in Seefeld, Heidi and I went for a quick little jog and then the whole team headed to old Innsbruck for some sightseeing. 
The training was pretty good, even with the lack of snow. It was always super cloudy so unfortunately I never really got to appreciate what were probably really beautiful mountains all around us!


Go to Olivia's blog for pictures and her stories

Congratulations to Andrea Dupont and Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt for qualifying for Cross Country Canada's B-Tour to Europe.  These athletes will be racing around Scandinavia for before ending up in Lahti, Finland for the World Cups.  Andrea Dupont, as the overall NorAm leader,  will then continue with the World Cup team to the final few World Cups. Congrats to both and good luck!