XC Ottawa managed to get in touch with a number of prominent skiers who grew up skiing in Ottawa. We asked them for their thoughts on the season just passed, their goals for next year, and their focus for the upcoming National Championships. We’ll post a new one every day as Nationals goes on!
Today we are talking to Claire Rennie. Claire grew up skiing with the Nakkertok Ski Club. She now lives in Bozeman (MT), and is skis for Montana State University.
Question: How has your season
progressed up to this point? Have you been happy with the way things
have gone? What were the highlights of you season?
Answer: My season has been progressing really well and I have been happy with my results. I have been racing the Western NCAA circuit for Montana State University and have placed 10th in skate and 14th in classic.
This was my first time racing the NCAA circuit and I am happy with the
way things have turned out.
Question: What are your plans
for next season? Do you have any specific training or competition goals
for the spring/summer, and for next winter?
Answer: I hope to continue
racing the NCAA circuit for Montana State University and working towards
my degree for the next 3 years. I would like to place in the top
15 at the NCAA Championships.
Question: Are you going to
Nationals this year? Do you enjoy racing at Nationals, and if so, why?
Answer: Unfortunately I am
going to miss Nationals for the first time in 6 years because I have
qualified for the NCAA Championships and they fall during the same week.
I enjoy racing at Nationals but I am also looking forward to racing
against the top college skiers in the US.
Question: What was your favourite
National Championships you’ve ever been to? Why?
Answer: The Thunder Bay 2001
Nationals were my first National Championships and they were definitely
my favourite. It was such a neat experience to race against skiers
from all over Canada for the first time and the atmosphere at Lappe
was great.
Question: Do you like Lappe
Nordic Centre (host of this year’s Nationals)? If so, why?
Answer: Definitely! The trails
are amazing and who couldn’t love the sauna and Finnish pancakes.
"OWL Rafting - The Mighty Ottawa River"