Nove Mesto World Cup, Czech Republic, December 31

Ben Derrick skied a solid race in the 15km Freestyle World Cup in Nove Mesto, but will still need to find something extra for his next World Cup in Val di Fiemme on January 14. BD finished in 64th place out of 71 starters, with FIS points of 98 (for the old-timers this corresponds to just over 12% behind the winner). It is a tough 5km track in Nove Mesto, as Ben Sim can attest to from previous years. BD felt he started a little hard and paid for it on the second lap, but then came home stronger in the last 5km. The race was won by Vicent Vittoz from France.

The men's distance events are the hardest of the cross country World Cups in which to acheive a good result - there is just so much depth in the field. However, while BD was hoping for a little better in Nove Mesto, he is at least in reasonable form and not too far from where he needs to be in Val di Fiemme. The 30km Freestyle there is more his distance, and the mass start format will also help. In the mean-time there is the Continental Cup races in St Ulrich in Austria next weekend. BD will race both the 10km Classic and 15km Freestyle events, and Esther Bottomley will also race her first FIS distance race in Europe for two years.

December 31st was a crazy day. After the race was over the team showered and lunched and then spent 7.5 hours in the car to arrive in Innsbruck at 10:30pm. At "Castle Brennan" there was just enough time to meet about 15 people and forget their names before heading to down-town Innsbruck for some fairly spectacular fireworks. Followed by extensive dancing in the streets. For future reference, if you want to be able to sleep in the next 24 hour period do not drink more than one can of "Kamikaze" guarana drink.



Courtesy OWI/Sportcom