Canadian skier Sarah Peters of Team TorbjornSport and Maine Winter Sports Centre won the overall women’s title at 35 kilometer City of Lakes Loppet, Minnesota – an event with more than 1500 racers. Sarah is a native of Ottawa and won the Keskinada World Loppet in 2002. It’s her first time racing in Minneapolis. Her winning time was 1:46:21
Fasterskier.com got a chance to ask Sarah a few questions after the race:
City Of Lakes Loppet — Interview With The Women’s Winner
FasterSkier · February 1, 2004
How did the race unfold?
“Austrian born Irene Eder (also) of Alpina/Madshus took off from the start like a firecracker. I and the other woman were caught off guard and had to scramble to catch up. A kilometer or two later, Abigail Larson and I were on here tail but she didn’t make it easy. Irene attacked on the hills and wove around other (male) skiers wherever possible! It wasn’t until we circled our first lake around 10 km that I started to feel strong and confident.
Now on Cedar Lake after 15 km, Larson, Eder and I were mixed in with a few men. Although we all took turns leading, Larson didn’t let anyone get away without putting in their time. If they tried to duck out to early, she would just swerve over and tuck in behind them. (This is a trick I will save for the Birkie and the train of 10 men that seems to always build up behind me!) Irene fell off the back on Lake Calhoun and just as we started our last tour of Lake of the Isles Larson broke off the front.
With 5 km too go, a hundred meter gap was significant and not good. I quickly dug into my reserves and went after her. After what seemed like ages but was maybe 2 km, I was back on her and ready. We finished our loop and headed off the lake onto the street. The lane of snow was narrow and dirty in spots, making it difficult to pass.
With 200 m to go, we turned onto Hennepin Ave and I saw my opening. Larson had gone wide of the corner. I went for the inside but Larson countered and I was forced wide. I tried to get around her but our equipment got crossed. Luckily for me, it was my day to stay on my feet and I sprinted in for the win!â€
At what point did you think you could win?
“As the race went on I felt stronger and stronger. Before 20 km, I would have been happy with top three. Once on the lakes, I felt much stronger and knew I could be a factor. Like Larson, I tried to break ahead but one skier against a group didn’t stand much of a chanceâ€.
How do you feel about the win?
“The race was fun and challenging and the win wonderful. It was encouraging to have a strong performance on such a unique course. Of course winning a trip to Norway to compete in the Holmenkollmarsjen — Norway’s urban ski marathon — was pretty wonderful too! I’ll have a year to work on my Norwegian. Luckily, I work with Norwegian/Americans Torbjorn Karlsen and John Aalberg out of Park City, Utah and can practice my Norwegian on themâ€.
Ski and Wax?
I used two layers of SOLDA S30 over SOLDA HC28 and had great skis on the flats. I ski on Alpina boots and Madshus skis.
What races are you doing next?
“The Canadian Keskinada and then The American Birkieâ€.