March 20 – Relay

I have missed a few days but will catch up later.

Today is the relay event which I have not quite determined all the rules for yet. As I understand it each country enters three skiers that cannot exceed a total classification of 288?

Every paranordic athlete is given a classification based on their disability.  For example a totally blind skier would have a lower classification than a visually impaired skier with peripherial vision.  Similarly, some sit skiers have some leg mobility and core strength, others may be amputees.  In this example the amputee would have a lower classification.  Classifications (reported as percentages) are multiplied against each athletes time when they compete in the same event; the adjusted time then determines the final standing.

In the relay each country typically has a sit-skier, a standing skier completing classic and a standing skier completing a freestyle course. In some cases a skier may have a different classification in skate than they do for classic.  Some countries used visually impaired for one leg of the relay but not all.

Due to the classification system for the relay the McKeevers could not ski because of their high classification i.e.  Canada did not have a skier with a low enough classification to stay below the 288 maximum combined classification. 

For the women’s race all skiers skied the 2.5 km sit-ski course and completed one loop.  For the men’s race the sit-skiers did two loops of the sit-ski course and the standing skiers did two loops of a more difficult standing course.  The Canadian women included Collette (sit-skier), Robin Weldon (visually impaired), and Jody Barber (standing).  They placed fourth with a valiant effort by Jody to make up time skiing with one arm (her disability).

Forerunning was interesting as we had to preski the skate and classic courses.  Because the snow was very hard first thing, this required continuous skiing for about an hour before the race.  Ordinarily, this would not be an issue but the long ski to the backcountry lodge depleted our energy levels and a cold seems to be creeping through the forerunner ranks.