The Canadian Women's Team is proof that good things happen when you have great
team chemistry. Sara Renner is a big part of that success. This will be Sara's
seventh year on the Canadian Senior National team. Her results speak for themselves
(Two-time Olympian, 9th place in the 2002 Olympic Sprint, several World Cup
top ten finishes this past year), and her sense of humor (as you will see below)
helps create a great team atmosphere.
![](http://images.fasterskier.com/oldsitearchive/upload/030717craigdouce2.jpg width=266.66666666667 height=400><br /> <BR><font size=1 face=verdana>Photo by Craig Douce</font><BR></p><p><b>Vitals: </b>27 years old, 5'6", 62 Kg<br /> Newly married to Thomas Grandi (Canadian Alpine Ski Team)<br /> <b>Hometown:</b> Canmore<br /> <b>Current town of residence:</b> Canmore<br /> <b>Coach:</b> Dave Wood<br /> <b>Sponsors:</b> Dairy Farmers of Canada<br /> <b>Favorite movie:</b> Princess Bride<br /> <b>Favorite food:</b> Fruit Pie<br /> <b>Favorite musical artist:</b> Moby<br /> <b>Favorite TV show:</b> Seinfield</p><p><b>FasterSkier: Did you take a vacation after this past race season ended? </p><p> </b>Sara: We went to Baja California and rented a casita in Todas Santos. We<br /> went surfing, scuba diving, windsurfing and spent the rest of the time being<br /> horizontal in hammocks and eating fish tacos.</p><p><b>What is your favorite place to ski?</b><br /> Sun Valley, Idaho. </p><p><b>Favorite place to race?</b><br /> Lake Louise Loppet in Alberta. </p><p><b>Favorite place to train (skiing or dryland)?</b><br /> Wanaka, New Zealand and Spring camp at Mount Assiniboine Lodge</p><p><b>Why do you enjoy being a ski racer? What part of being a ski racer don't<br /> you enjoy?</b><br /> I enjoy the lifestyle, the friendships and the challenge. Sometimes I get tired<br /> of washing my underwear in the sink when on the road. Other than that, it is<br /> a great life.</p><p><b>If you weren't a ski racer, what would you be doing?</b><br /> Trying out for Canadian Idol.</p><p> <b> What is one of you favorite non-skiing accomplishments?</b><br /> I can't think of any other accomplishements other than skiing. Ahhh hhha….<br /> Bungee jumping at<br /> Nevis in New Zealand.</p><p> <b>What do you do to pass the time when you are on the road at races and training<br /> camps (read, watch TV, computer games, etc)?</b><br /> Beckie and I become conniseurs of boiled potatoes. We go bowling, write emails<br /> like mad, have saunas and play practical jokes on<br /> Yves, the wax tecnician.</p><p><b>What were your best and worst races last season?</b><br /> Worst -Continental Cup 10km skate in Fairbanks Alaska-accidently sat on pole<br /> and couldn't get up<br /> Best- World Champs Sprint 7th place. Holmenkollen 16th place-I'm proud of it<br /> because historically it is a very bad race and no Norwegians threw roasted weiners<br /> at me.</p><p><b>How do you deal with bad races?</b><br /> Think about it on my cool down and then have a laugh about it with the team.</p><p> <b> What are your racing goals for the upcoming season?</b><br /> Medal on the World Cup.<br /> <b><br /> How do you feel about the changes in race format over the past few years?</b><br /> We need to make cross country more exciting for spectators and TV. But events<br /> like mass starts and duathalons need huge stadiums and races shouldn't be run<br /> in venues were bottlenecks are guaranteed.</p><p><b>What is your take on the issue of doping in cross country ski racing these<br /> days?</b><br /> After dopers have done their increased suspension time of 5 years, in their<br /> first year back racing on the world cup they have to drag a car tire behind<br /> them so they know how the clean athletes feel.</p><p><b>What changes will you be making to your training plan for this year?</b><br /> More training and more cappucinos.</p><p><b>How many time-trials on foot and rollerskis did you do last summer and fall did<br /> you do and how long were they?</b><br /> My rollerskies are a foot and half long and my feet are size 9</p><p><b>Do you have a favorite interval workout?</b><br /> The uphill time trial roller ski skate in Canmore, starting in town and ending<br /> when the pavement stops.</p><p><b>What was your most memorable workout last year?</b><br /> Skiing above the clouds in Wanaka, New Zealand last summer.</p><p><b>If you had to eat lunch at a fast-food restaurant, where would you go and<br /> what would you order? </b><br /> Wendy's #4 the big bacon classic.</p><p><b>Can you give us a single piece of advice for aspiring Junior skiers?</b><br /> Have a good time and think big.</p><p><b>How about some advice for Masters skiers?</b><br /> Have fun and don't train too hard.</p><p style=)
