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Ski Mountaineering World Championships

Steve Sellers interview: Skimo racing is the ultimate skiing challenge!

September 20, 2012 By Stano Faban Leave a Comment

Steve Sellers skimo racingThe world of ski mountaineering racing is full of unique characters, and arguably the Canadian and the American skimo scenes are responsible for bringing the most flavour in recent years. This translates to the national teams as well which makes the North Americans’ Euro racing trips very enjoyable.
But there is one character that I feel I neglected with my interviews for way too long. He is a die-heart competitor to whom age seems to only provide with more speed, in fact, he is on the Canadian National Ski Mountaineering Team.
Steve is a father of two and a pastor in Canmore, Alberta. At the age of 51 he just recently captured bronze at the Canadian skimo nationals!
Personally, I am very happy to had the experience to witness him to give a true 120% in our teams race at the 2011 Worlds. It was inspirational to be part of it – one can always improve.
» Check out Steve’s blog – Ski Training Central

About training, longevity and racing passion with Steve Sellers:

Q: Steve, what do you find the most beautiful and the most challenging about skimo racing?
Skimo racing is the ultimate skiing challenge! You have to have the motor of an xc skier and the athletic ability of a downhill racer. With my xc background the obvious weak link for me are the downhills (as you Stano probably painfully became aware of in our teams race in Claut, Italy!). [Stano’s note: I remember very vividly :)] To rectify this I go to Norquay ski area in Banff at least once per week with my lightweight race gear and hammer the double blacks off the North American chair. I time myself and try to improve every run.
It’s the challenge of getting better that keeps me motivated in this great sport.

Q: When did you start skimo racing? And for how long have you been backcountry skiing?
In 2007. That year my focus was on fulfilling a dream of cross-country (xc) ski racing the famous 90km long Vasaloppett in Sweden.  Just prior to leaving I jumped in the ski mountaineering race at Sunshine. On the heavy gear I wasn’t too fast, but I was easily hooked. I just felt it would be the sport for me.
Later that year, I found myself in Vancouver for a conference the same week as the North Face Whistler skimo race and decided to do it. Everything seemed to go wrong and it was a total disaster, but deep down I felt like I could do this sport. I decided then and there to go back the next year and prove to myself I could do skimo racing. I finished 4th or 5th and knocked a couple of hours off my time.
Q: What is your racing background – which sports, for how long?
I started xc ski racing in high school. Living in Minnesota at the time there wasn’t very much downhill or backcountry skiing to be had so I totally poured myself into xc.
I really loved it. I even got to represent the US in a world cup in 1985.
My main focus each year though was the US Birkebeiner. I competed in the elite wave from 1980 to 2010.
Q: You also race Ironmans and shorter triathlons in the summer. When do you switch from winter to summer training and then back again?
After 20 years of roller skiing and running in the summer, among other dry land training, I figured it was time for a change.
For a long time I had on my Bucket List: “competing in an Ironman”. It seemed like the clock was ticking, so I thought I’d better go for it. I did half-Ironman and Olympic triathlons for 4 years, then finally got into the big one, Ironman Canada.
Interestingly, my ski results got better. I think it was the extra endurance base hours I was putting in, plus the new knowledge I’d gleaned from training and competing at a whole new level.
I’ve since found that for my best winter results competing in this totally different sport really works. But it also works the other way around. Two years ago I placed 3rd in my age group in the Calgary Half Ironman and qualified for the world age group championships. I was kind of surprised since due to our usual long ski season and a trip to Europe I’d really only tri-trained a month or so.
However, on the ride home as I shared these thoughts with my wife she mentioned, “that skimo racing is pretty tough, that’s probably why you did so well.”

Steve (in red cap) with part of the Canadian team atop Mt Cheops in Rogers Pass, BC. Photo from Brad Schalles (Sep 15, 2012).
Q: Do you have any rest periods during a year?
After an Ironman you’ve gotta take about 3 weeks off. The first one you don’t even want to train. The second one you can’t even if you want to, then the third you can start easing into activity.
I take about 4 weeks of easy training after the skimo season too. I’m still skiing 6 days a week (the skiing’s too good to sit around!), but absolutely no intensity.
During the year you have to build in rest days. If I train 3 weeks uninterrupted (hard to do with a job and family though), then my body makes me take that 4th week easy.
Q: What do you think is the secret to your longevity in competition sports? How can someone copy you?
The heart’s gotta be in it. You’ve also gotta be in it for the right reasons.
Sport was never designed to be a place to get your self-esteem needs met. If you’re just competing because you have to prove to yourself and others you’re a worthy person, then you’re just chasing after air.
When you’re secure in yourself as a person, at peace with your Creator and have family and friends that love you and support you, then you can be at peace to pursue your passions.
Q: You are always keen to compete. What keeps you motivated?
I’d say the key for me is improvement. If there’s the possibility to get better then I find that a fun challenge to take on.
After last year’s Canadian Nationals at Kicking Horse ski area, I identified 6 areas I felt I could get faster in (transitions, downhills, uphill fitness, kick-turns, boot-packing and skin speed). I also estimated how much time I could realistically gain from each.
From there I started working on each individual area. I’m still doing it. I’ve got a cool summer ski sprint course I grass-ski on to work on transitions, boot-packs, kick-turns and uphill sprint speed.
Q: You have two daughters, Anna and Kjirsti. Are they competing in sports too? Does ski mountaineering potentially interests them?
Anna did her first skimo race last year as part of our team relay at the Vert 180. She also had 2 biathlon and 2 xc ski races that weekend. It was hard for her to choose which ones to do. She’d do all of them if we’d let her.
My other daughter cries when she has to go downhill skiing with the family but she’s a pretty good skier anyway. Like her older sister she’s involved in the Canmore Nordic ski club.
With kids you gotta let them find their own path. We give them the opportunities but I want them to show some initiative on their own to pursue what their heart leads them to.
Q: You represented Canada at the 2011 World Ski Mountaineering Championships. How did you find the experience?
Simply put…amazing! I don’t think there is a greater privilege in sport than to represent your country, especially at the highest level.
During the warm up before our teams race I started feeling the nerves coming on and thinking “how in over my head I was”. Then I began to contemplate how truly blessed I was just to be there, representing Canada, my country.
This realization just filled my heart with joy. Joy is such an energizer in so many ways. I think too that my walk with God brings joy and energy to these moments.
Q: Do you have plans to race at the 2013 World Championships? Or what is going to be your biggest goal for this winter?
I’ll admit I was a little embarrassed being the “grandfather” of the 2011 championships; however, I seemed to make a bit of a jump in performance last year. As long as I’m improving I may as well throw ‘er down with the big boys and see what I can do!
Q: With so much experience in competition sports, what would you advise to ambitious skimo racers in North America?
One thing I absolutely love about our Canadian skimo team is that we work together. Having a “win-win” philosophy benefits everyone.
The sport is so young in both the US and Canada and we have so much to learn. We might as well help one another as much as possible. That way we’ll all get faster sooner!

Filed Under: People (Interviews), Skimo Racing Tagged With: Canadian National Ski Mountaineering Team, Canadian Skimo Championships, Ski Mountaineering World Championships, Steve Sellers, Vert180

Grand Targhee Skimo Classic and Pierra Menta 2010

January 7, 2010 By Stano Faban Leave a Comment

A bit of current news that should interest you if you are into ski mountaineering racing:
This Saturday is arguably the most important day in US skimo racing this season for those shooting for the stars…and a National Team.
The second news is a brief update on Pierra Menta since the French released some teaser info and it is also a time to register.

Grand Targhee Ski Mountaineering Classic

The event will be held this Saturday – January 9th, 2010 – at the Grand Targhee ski area, located on the north side of Grand Teton National Park.
The significance of the race is due to a US National Skimo Team selection process. One of the chances for athletes to make the team is to have a great result at this race. Then, if successful,  in March they would be off to Europe to compete at the World Skimo Championships and Pierra Menta.
You can find more information about the event on USSMA website – Grand Targhee Skimo Classic.

25 years of Pierra Menta

25th Pierra Menta official poster
25th Pierra Menta official poster
While ski mountaineering and randonnee racing is still quite young in North America the Europeans have been hammering for some time. Between March 11-14th 2010 the four day stage race will write its 25th year in history.
To read their official press release you don’t need to speak English. French, Spanish or Italian is enough ;).
The links to that press release are on the event’s home page, within the center column area, below a title “Communiqué de presse”. They are PDFs, so might load a bit slower.
For those that want to register it is about time to get ready. Even though that I cannot find anything on that topic on their website the registration will open in the next few days. Be ready to grab your spot as there is a limited number and there are no exceptions – first come, first serve.
BTW, to compete in Pierra Menta you don’t have to be a member of any national team. The race is not part of the World Cup, therefore, it is open to anyone. And youth can race too – special two day Pierra Menta – which is awesome.

Filed Under: Skimo Racing Tagged With: Pierra Menta, Ski Mountaineering World Championships

Interview with Julie Matteau – Canada's ski mountaineering champ enjoys every day in the mountains

October 20, 2009 By Stano Faban 2 Comments

A year ago, not many people involved with ski mountaineering and backcountry skiing knew Julie Matteau, except her touring friends and a couple of work related contacts. That is not the case anymore.

Getting ready for a transition at one of the races.
Getting ready for a transition at one of the races.
Last season, Julie became the Canadian Ski Mountaineering Champion, she won the Canadian Ski Mountaineering Cup and won all Canadian skimo races in the process. Also, she clocked more vertical feet during that season than most backcountry skiers would do in ten years.
And while doing that, all of us that know or have met her, were treated to her happy smile all the time and everywhere.
Here is more from Julie in an interview about pretty much anything:
Q: Last season you won everything that Canadian skimo racing scene offers. Was that your goal or it just happened that way?
Last year, with a better pre-season training regime and a healthier body, I was definitely aiming to win as many races as I could.
My ability to focus and my level of skiing were much better which paid off. I was hoping, but didn’t expect, to win all the of the Canadian series races as well as I did.
Q: When did you start ski mountaineering racing and backcountry skiing? How did you start?
I started backcountry skiing back in 2001, the first winter after I moved to BC. It began as something I wanted to do as a recreational sport after being inspired from a friend’s pictures of Rogers Pass.
I slowly got into the sport, starting with renting the equipment and slowly getting my own. Only much later, in the year of 2007, was I made aware of the competitive side of backcountry skiing, ski rando racing, with the visit of European friends with their very light gear.
With a few friends/co-workers of mine at MEC, we all decided to race in Whistler at the Telus World Backcountry Freeride Jam Festival for the first time. Them with light equipment, and myself with my regular backcountry ski gear.
Despite the 2 days of hard racing, I truly enjoyed the course and the vibe within the crowd. I witnessed some serious speed by a few European racers that week-end,  and it began.
Q: Is there anything that sucks being a gal when backcountry skiing and what are the benefits?
Being a gal doesn’t really suck, you can even get special treatment sometimes depending on your partners 🙂 On a more serious note, I have to say I’m very happy to have skied and ski with great partners that treat everyone with a lot of respect.
A lot of male friends appreciate us gals joining their group because it balances the testosterone level. I have heard it many times that “it’s good to mix it up”!
Q: You used to live in Vancouver (before in Quebec) but you moved to Revelstoke. Do you like it there?
I love it here! Not that I didn’t enjoy back east all those years or Vancouver in the last 8 years.  The great living in Revelstoke for me, mainly involves living with my boyfriend and being able to enjoy what I love doing almost every day.
Revelstoke has an amazing outdoor “backyard” that offers limitless options if you like to be active. Its inspiring to live within a very fit and active community and it definitely responds to my love for the mountains.
Q: In Revelstoke, you get to ski with an amazing group. Besides being great people, they are also very strong skiers. What does a day trip with them involve?
Julie ripping powder at Rogers Pass.
Julie ripping powder at Rogers Pass. Photo by Bruno Long.
I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by so many amazing skiers and mountain people. To get to spend so much time with well rounded skiers enables me to improve my skiing and learn more in the mountains.
Their knowledge of the area and their abilities motivate me to be a better “mountain man”. Their fitness and skiing skills push my athletic abilities and allow me to improve on every level.
People I ski with are very efficient: start early, discuss our options for the day and its conditions, take only small breaks during the day to snack and have lunch and pound as much vert as the day allows us.
Everybody pitches in for setting the track and its amazing how efficient big groups can be around here…one day a group of 12 of us skied 9,000 feet in a regular day, everybody knew how to move.
Q: How much vertical feet/metres have you climbed the most in a day?
11,500 feet in one day. It was a long day with some big objectives….came back with our head lamps in the dark, such a good day!
Q: Do you do any specific training for skimo races or you just ski as much as you can, then go race?
Last year I built up my strength from May to January with Crossfit training in Vancouver, at Crossfit Westside with the amazing Jenika. I was lucky not to be working last year from January on, so I spent almost every day skiing. I had an extraordinary winter.
Racing at the US Championships 2009 in Jackson Hole. Photo by Dave Bowers.
Racing at the US Championships 2009 in Jackson Hole. Photo by Dave Bowers.
Although skiing in the mountains got me some serious mileage, I had to spend time working on my skiing with my racing skis and practicing transitions. Going uphill with the light gear consist of a bit of a different technique and skiing down requires some serious practice! [Ed. You can read how lighter gear affects technique here.]
I did a few sessions of interval training as well which I think helped a lot. Racing is such a different mindset and requires a lot physically which is why I think you need to do both.
Q: Do you currently have any sponsors?
In the past I have been well supported by my ex-employer MEC but as of right now I’m on my own. I hope to get some sponsorship this year with the World Championships in Andorra and the Pierra Menta all coming up in 2010.
Q: What are your favorite activities beside ski touring?
I much enjoy mountain biking, trail running, climbing and Crossfit training. This summer I got to do a little bit more sport climbing and light mountaineering which I find very interesting. I’d like to improve my skills in these various sports to be a more well-rounded mountain athlete.
Q: What are your racing goals for the 2010 season? And what are your non racing goals?
My non racing goals always include staying healthy and enjoying every day I spend outside in the mountains!! I also want to improve my skills in less than perfect conditions, and my steep and rocky skiing abilities.
As for racing, I’m aiming to keep my title and continue to push my fitness. I’m shooting for a good result in the World Championships in Andorra and completing the Pierra Menta race.
Skiing McGill Shoulder to Bostock Creek with Sir Donald in the background.
Skiing McGill Shoulder to Bostock Creek with Sir Donald in the background. Photo by Bruno Long.
Q: Do you like to ski tour more with guys or with girls?
I like both depending on the individual. I’ve been skiing with guys the majority of my time since they outnumber us. There are few females that I would love to ski more with but I also enjoy the mixed group.
Q: Your boyfriend is also Canada’s top skimo racer (You are both on the Canadian National team). Do you think about how his race is going when you are racing, or you are totally focused only on your own race?
I always look up to the leading pack in a race and since Jeff [Ed. Jeff Colvin] is always in front of me I often wish he’s having a good race. Races are usually pretty long so it gives me lots of time to think. I definitely think of him while I’m racing but with very short thoughts.
I bring my focus back when I think of anything else other than the actual race I’m in. Everything happens so fast in racing that you want to be focused to minimize your errors.
I very much enjoy crossing either my boyfriend and my ski partner Andrew McNab when I race, its a huge motivation to hear them yell your name!
Q: How does your favourite day in the mountains look like?
My favorite day in the mountains is filled with friends, laughter, good snow, peeking from the sun and some amazing turns.
I like it when you don’t necessarily think the snow conditions are going to be perfect, but on your first turns you start getting little fuzzy feelings and you instantly get a permanent grin on your face 🙂
The non credited photo (the first one) in this article is from Julie Matteau’s collection. Author can contact me at “info(at sign here)skintrack.com” to add his name.

Filed Under: People (Interviews) Tagged With: Julie Matteau, Pierra Menta, Revelstoke, Rogers Pass, Ski Mountaineering World Championships

World Cup 2010 racing calendar: Canadians compete

October 1, 2009 By Stano Faban 1 Comment

World Cup ski mountaineering racing calendar for 2009/2010 season made it out couple of weeks ago. Highlight of the season will definitely be Ski Mountaineering World Championships 2010 in Andorra that will that place during the first week of March.
See or download the complete World Cup 2010 calendar.
andorra-logo-worldsSkimo World Championships are organized every two years and 2010 racing program will be as follows:

  • Mar 2 – 3 – Individual races
  • Mar 4 – Vertical race
  • Mar 5 – Teams race
  • Mar 6 – Relays

Another notable event on the calendar, Patrouille des Glaciers in Switzerland, is already a long time classic on the European skimo racing circuit. This three-member teams race covers 53 km and climbs 3994 m vertical. It is scheduled for April 24th, 2010.
However, Pierra Menta, one of the most prestigous skimo races, is not on the World Cup calendar this season. This four day stage race is a Tour de France of skimo racing, but the World Cup rules left organizers with a tough decision, and so they most likely didn’t even apply for a World Cup status this year. The race will take place between March 10 – 14th, 2010 in Areches Beaufort, France.
For Canada, this season is already shaping up to be the “biggest”. National team that will be sent to Andorra will most likely have at least 10 athletes compeeting in all disciplines. Some of those athletes will compete in Pierra Menta and some other World Cup events as well. More on the national team racing in a future article.

Filed Under: Skimo Racing Tagged With: Patrouille des Glaciers, Pierra Menta, Ski Mountaineering World Championships

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SkinTrack.com, created by Stano Faban, was born out of passion for ski mountaineering and ski touring. Over the years, it has become one of the most popular ski mountaineering blogs in North America.

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