Racehorse Stu wraps up World Cup ambitions, Oli B finds success at Whitehorse Nationals.
CANMORE – In a sad day for conservationists, the already endangered Bad Pandas are saying farewell to one of their number. Stuball the Racehorse has announced his immediate retirement from full time nordic racing following an ankle injury that sidelined him from this week's competition in Whitehorse. He had hoped to end his ski career by taking part in the national championships, but now he reflects that things don't always go according to plan.
“Yeah it's been a bit of a rough month, what with injuring my ankle and coming down with a cold. It's been a huge disappointment to miss the races up North. As soon as I felt the joint roll and pop my mind went straight to the fact that I'd have to miss nationals.”
Two Pandas made the journey to the Klondike Territory; Olivia Bouffard Nesbitt as an athlete, and Andrew Brisbin as a part of the Team Saskatchewan support staff. His responsibilities mainly consist of orangutan photo and YouTube video curation, but he is also Taco Coordinator. He said to BPLS:
“The Sask team had Scoot McGoot over tonight for Mexican night.”
Proud of his contribution to the provincial side, Andrew shared with us the following image:
Meanwhile, Olivia found her form during Wednesday's freestyle sprint. After winning the qualifier, the “Wrecker Quebecer” placed second in the afternoon's heats.
“I was pumped to hear [Andyrew] cheering during my quali :d”
“I was pumped to hear [Andyrew] cheering during my quali :d”
Olivia had been struggling with a muscular fatigue she calls “soggy sausage legs” leading into Wednesday's race. She told BPLS:
“It was a good day. I'm super happy I was able to race that well, definitely wasn't expecting it. But it was a super short course which played in my favour. Thanks for your texts :))))”
At home in the Rockies, Ilona Gyapay found herself sipping champagne as the inaugural Baconbeiner champion. The marathon event held in Golden was shortened from six to five hours by organisers after Gyapay skied the rest of the field into submission. Demoralised, every single one of Ilona's competitors dropped out of the race. When Ilona continued on her own, race organisers pleaded with her to have mercy upon the disgraced skiers and their families.
“It was a good day. I'm super happy I was able to race that well, definitely wasn't expecting it. But it was a super short course which played in my favour. Thanks for your texts :))))”
At home in the Rockies, Ilona Gyapay found herself sipping champagne as the inaugural Baconbeiner champion. The marathon event held in Golden was shortened from six to five hours by organisers after Gyapay skied the rest of the field into submission. Demoralised, every single one of Ilona's competitors dropped out of the race. When Ilona continued on her own, race organisers pleaded with her to have mercy upon the disgraced skiers and their families.
“Think of the children” one volunteer begged.
Ilona conceded and ended the race at five hours. She credits smart nutrition for her triumph:
“[I ate] one slice of bacon.”
Back at the Love Shack, Stuart prepares for life after skiing. There is however, one last race he has a stake in: NARPfest. Held at Mt Shark, the informal event is promising to be as fierce and thrilling as any other this year.
Ilona conceded and ended the race at five hours. She credits smart nutrition for her triumph:
“[I ate] one slice of bacon.”
Back at the Love Shack, Stuart prepares for life after skiing. There is however, one last race he has a stake in: NARPfest. Held at Mt Shark, the informal event is promising to be as fierce and thrilling as any other this year.
“With all the different events held in one day, NARPfest is pretty much like the Ski Tour Canada crammed into three hours. At least I know I'll be well rested going into the 'fest, so it's just a matter of making sure the body is ready for the effort.” Harden says about his preparation.
“I know the other guys are going to be peaking for these races, so you have to stay sharp even though it's the last event of the year.”
With Stuart's retirement, Oli B becomes the last Bad Panda remaining in the wild world of elite ski racing. Stuart joins the other Pandas in a life of full time work and school in captivity. In response, Wildlife experts are considering the possibility of a breeding program to re-introduce Bad Pandas into the wild.
“Well, Bad Panda mating isn't something we've seen before, and to be honest we're not even sure it's something we want to see.” Said one unnamed Panda expert/coach.
In the Love Shack, Stuart limps from the couch to the kitchen and back, already growing accustomed to his new sedentary life. He mentions that one upside to a life indoors is that he's more productive – he plans on finishing his Athabasca University course without any more extensions. But he also says that he'll be back this summer, training with his club and with the Pandas.
“I can't wait to be able to run and bike and strap on rollerskis again. For sure I want to get out of the house, but mainly I want to get back to spending time with my friends. I think it's telling that my best memories are all from training camps – I think that's when you most feel part of a team. I'm really proud of my team; I'm proud of the Pandas, of the Rocky Mountain Racers, of everyone in Canmore and across Canada who skis and has fun. I can say for sure that this is the best community to be a part of, and the best part is it will always be there for you. Even if you change your role within the sport or take a break for a while, it will be there waiting for you.”
And so as some Pandas move on and others move up, they can at least take comfort in the knowledge that although they may not always call the Love Shack home, and they may not always feel so wild, they can still call themselves Bad Pandas.
“Isn't that great?” asks Stuart with a smile.
“I know the other guys are going to be peaking for these races, so you have to stay sharp even though it's the last event of the year.”
With Stuart's retirement, Oli B becomes the last Bad Panda remaining in the wild world of elite ski racing. Stuart joins the other Pandas in a life of full time work and school in captivity. In response, Wildlife experts are considering the possibility of a breeding program to re-introduce Bad Pandas into the wild.
“Well, Bad Panda mating isn't something we've seen before, and to be honest we're not even sure it's something we want to see.” Said one unnamed Panda expert/coach.
In the Love Shack, Stuart limps from the couch to the kitchen and back, already growing accustomed to his new sedentary life. He mentions that one upside to a life indoors is that he's more productive – he plans on finishing his Athabasca University course without any more extensions. But he also says that he'll be back this summer, training with his club and with the Pandas.
“I can't wait to be able to run and bike and strap on rollerskis again. For sure I want to get out of the house, but mainly I want to get back to spending time with my friends. I think it's telling that my best memories are all from training camps – I think that's when you most feel part of a team. I'm really proud of my team; I'm proud of the Pandas, of the Rocky Mountain Racers, of everyone in Canmore and across Canada who skis and has fun. I can say for sure that this is the best community to be a part of, and the best part is it will always be there for you. Even if you change your role within the sport or take a break for a while, it will be there waiting for you.”
And so as some Pandas move on and others move up, they can at least take comfort in the knowledge that although they may not always call the Love Shack home, and they may not always feel so wild, they can still call themselves Bad Pandas.
“Isn't that great?” asks Stuart with a smile.