AUS XC athletes to make their World Cup debut in Davos

After sitting out the three-day Nordic Opening in Ruka (FIN), the athletes of the Australian Cross-country skiing team are ready to make their 2020/2021 FIS World Cup debut this weekend in Davos (SUI), where Sprint and Distance events are scheduled on 12-13 December.

Phillip Bellingham, Mark Pollock and Seve de Campo are expected to start in the Men’s races, while Katerina Paul will represent Australia in the Women’s events.

Head Coach Valerio Leccardi said the build-up to the Northern winter has been going well and the athletes are now settling in and getting organised for their first World Cup races of the season. The team that travelled overseas after what Leccardi described as an ‘unusual’ preparation is fairly small, but ready to compete against the best in the world.

“Our athletes are doing fine. The team atmosphere is good and we’re ready to gain more experience in World Cup racing, which is the main goal for the athletes currently in Europe.

“Of course it was a short winter with no races here in Australia. With less time on snow, there was more focus on dryland training with roller skiing, running, pole running/striding and other endurance sports.

“The athletes managed to fulfill their planned training load and - if we can find a positive thing resulting from the COVID-19 restrictions and reduced contact between people - they managed to stay healthy and not contract niggly colds and other illnesses, which can often lead to longer forced training breaks.”

Unfortunately COVID-19 related restrictions led to the cancellation of a few training camps, with athletes having to adapt and train on their own more often. Coaches also had to manage athletes’ mental stress and find different ways to support the team.

“Next to our ideal plan A we always had and still have ready a plan B and even a plan C,” Leccardi explains.

“Cross-country athletes spend a lot of time training on their own anyway, but this was a bit more challenging. Having teammates pushing and supporting each other during training can be very beneficial both physically and mentally.

“But I think the current situation taught us to be more adaptable and resilient, which hopefully will benefit us in the future.”

With Australian Cross-country team selection for Beijing 2022 based mostly on next season’s results, notably absent in Davos will be 2018 Winter Olympian and 2020 American Birkebeiner champion Jess Yeaton, currently based in the U.S.

“Qualification for the Olympic Winter Games is less critical this season. Jess will focus more on training and local races in the United States, in preparation for next Northern winter season,” Leccardi says.

“Two of our other 2018 Winter Olympians, Casey Wright and Aimee Watson, also remain in Australia, training over the summer and building towards 2022. On the positive side, it's a great opportunity to make real fitness gains without the stress of having to race every week.”