A year ago at the 2009 World Cup in Whistler, Madeleine Williams had her best World Cup finish on the Olympic race course in the 15K pursuit. In a race that saw seven of her Canadian teammates place in the top 30, Williams took 22nd place. Now the 26-year-old athlete from Edmonton will try to replicate a similar result this season on those same trails at the Olympic Games.
Williams opened her 2009-2010 season in West Yellowstone with a win in the 5K classic race, in addition to a third and a fifth in the 10K freestyle and classic sprint, respectively. She continued to ski well into December where she placed second in the classic sprint and first in the 30K classic in Canmore to earn a place on the Olympic team.
Williams, who competes for the Alberta World Cup Academy, was dropped from the National Team in 2007 after her results didn’t measure up, but strong results at the Olympic Games could help her find a place on the team in the future. “My best results will come from the 10 km and the 30 km,” Williams told the Edmonton Journal, “but it’s the Olympics, you never know. I’m really gunning for a top-20 placing. It’s within reach, but it’s a big challenge.”
![Madeleine Williams (Alberta World Cup Academy) - 3rd](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/11/725264692_5xQvz-L1.jpg" "Madeleine Williams (Alberta World Cup Academy) - 3rd")
