Dahria Beatty. Photo Robert Whitney
Justin Brisbane, Rocky Mountain Outlook January 08, 2015
Dahria Beatty will lead Canada’s medal hopes at the U23 cross-country ski world championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan after she was pre-selected for the team on the strength of the first open women’s NorAm win of her career.
Beatty won the 15-kilometre skate race at Sovereign Lakes near Vernon, B.C. with a 22-second lead over two-time Olympian Brittany Webster. Cendrine Browne of Quebec finished third.
“It’s always wonderful to be representing Canada. I was very excited to get the pre-qualification spot in December so that we were able to plan my training for January knowing I would be racing in Kazakhstan in early February. The U23 world championships were one of my main focuses going into the season, so I am thrilled to be going,” Beatty said.
Beatty’s development has her on track to be one of Canada’s best skiers, and earning an early ticket to the Feb. 1-8 races is a huge relief. After racing in the Eastern Canadian Championships, she’ll race the Western Canadian Championships in Canmore and Lake Louise on Jan. 16-18 before leaving to the world champs.
“Racing without the pressure of having to qualify will be a good opportunity to focus on tactics and procedure and push my limits. When you know you don’t have to win, it makes it easier to go for the win because you know if you blow up, you start fresh the next day,” Beatty said.
She’ll be joined by Raphael Couturier, while other athletes will try to earn their ticket at the Eastern and Western Canadian Championships. Two skiers have also earned spots on Canada’s world junior team. Annah Hanthorn of Whitehorse and Phillippe Boucher of Quebec have been selected early.