This morning Johnny, Corey and I roused ourselves from our peaceful Sunday morning slumbers to take part in a 6km Time Trial at Nakkertok Ski Club in Cantley. We were joined by hundreds of local young skiers and by fellow Rideau paddlers Matt Raymond and Rhys Hill. It was a beautiful day up at there property and, as always, I was super stoked on the fun, warm vibe that Nakkertok always has for these events. I also always feel that I am enjoying a somewhat unique Canadian experience up at Nakkertok. This feeling could possibly be narrowed down to the experience of using Nakkertok's new and improved outdoor, 'naturally cooled and ventilated' washrooms pre-race. It could probably be more accuratley attributed to the fun, welcoming atmosphere that the club creates allowing so many people to enjoy beautiful Canadian winter weather.



The race itself was a tough 3 x 2km loop, 6km effort. We started in a big pack and the first lap was mostly jockeying for position with the big group of skiers. I lost a little bit of ground in the first 500m and was stuck a bit behind after one lap. I felt I was skiing well, but could not make up all the ground to catch Johnny (who skied his best race ever) or Corey who finished ahead with the front two packs. I did however end up locked in a heated head to head battle with young Rideau canoer (sometimes he pretends to be a kayaker.) Zach Cameron. I reeled Zach in on the second lap and on the first climb of the third I made my move. Alas, it was too early and Zach's superior downhilling skills proved to much for me on the back stretch and he passed me on the final tight, downhill turn. I felt I had the wheels for a strong kick to take the win over this young buck, but it was not to be. My tired legs betrayed me and I took a nasty spill in the last 150m to the crowds delight. To my dismay Rhys took the opurtunity to pass me as I collected the items I had laid out in my yard sale and I was left in 5th place in the Padderls race-within-the-race, with Matt Raymond picking up the 6th spot. Hats off to Zach who won our head to head the battle this day with a great ski, to give him his due here is the victory shot.