Just four weeks ago I was at home in Canmore doing my day to day training passively preparing for another season of racing. I spent some time considering all the steps I had made over the last 13 years in Biathlon and all the opportunities and circumstances that had put me in my present state. I considered the National Championships, World Junior Championships and IBU Cups that had allowed me to travel and live such a unique lifestyle. I also considered the Olympic Champions and world class athletes my age that were performing on the world cup and I had an ache of self doubt. I've never been one to let that get to me and I am certainly well practised at turning doubt into motivation. I made it clear that I have two progressive steps to take that have been nagging at me for the last two years: to break the top ten in the IBU Cup and have a 100% race which I can say was near perfect.
I think this past-analysis is relevant because I am once again given an opportunity to take advantage of. I am in Europe for the next 6 weeks racing at German National Championships and IBU Cups #3, #4, and #5. I arrived last week with the Canadian Team and started the tour off with an Alpen Cup in Obertilliach, Austria. The two first races clarified my motivation for being here and were a perfect "kick in the butt" to get the tour started. The results were mediocre with a 34th and 27th finish, but they refreshed my goals leading into this weekend and the weeks after Christmas. I definitely have the skills to put together a top 10 result and my goal is simply to put together a 100% effort IBU race with solid 80% or better shooting percentage. This for me is the next step.
I am currently in Ridnaun, Italy preparing for IBU Cup #3 on Saturday. I have included a few pictures from Obertilliach, Austria and as well as some from team mate Vincent Blais. Thank you for your support and I look forward to keeping you updated!
