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>
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