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WINTER
2015
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Julianadvancedquickly through the ranksofOCup racesoncehebegan trainingon
a regularbasis.Bygradeeight,heandhiscoach realized thathehaduntappedability
and all he had to dowas learn to train properly so hewould gain the strength, en-
duranceand technique tomove to the topof the circuit. Julianwas up to the taskand
knows he not only needs tobeagreat racer on raceday, but inorder tobe the very
best healsohas tobeagreat trainer everyother day. As he sees it, somepeopleare
goodat trainingbut can’t seem toput it together on raceday.Others aregood com-
petitorsandcomeout fast on raceday, but hate to train.Hebelieves to reallyachieve
at the top level, onemust buildenduranceand techniqueby training, thenpossess the
ability tokick it upanotchandpushevenharder incompetition.
Thoughhedidnot shine in someof his racesduring the season, hehadaplan. Part of
thatplanwas togo toNorway to trainand racewithsomeof thebest skiers in theworld.
As the seasonprogressedhe tried topeakat the right time inorder tobuild for theNa-
tionals conferring closelywith his coaches, PavlinaSudrich of theOntario Teamand
MarilynSuke fromGeorgianBayNordic. Pavlinaaskedhim, of the four raceshewas
doing there,which racedidhe thinkhecouldwin?Giving itmuch thought, Julian replied
that he felt strong in the skate sprintand themass start classic.Hiscoachesadvisedhim
to ski hard, but not tooverdo it in the first two racesand then, to reallycomeon for the
skatesprint. That isexactlywhat hedidand itpaidoffwithagoldmedal finish.Heonly
wishes that hismotherHeidi and father, Timcouldhavebeen inNewfoundland tocel-
ebratehis victorywithhim, but at least hehadhis friendsalong.
Julian andDavid are sharing the ups and downs of combining school and training
schedules while living far away from home and family. Heidi says the boys are ex-
tremely busy trying to combine homework and examswith ski training. As I write this
both JulianandDavidareoff toCanmore,Alberta to trainand race in snow for the first
time thisseason.Tim relates that theboysaredoingwelland loveworkingwithNational
Development headcoach, TimoPuiras, andassistant coach, VictorWiltman.
Julian realizes that training tobecomeaWorldCupathletewill requireagreatamount
of financing.With that inmind,hehassought sponsorships from theski industry,aswell
as from friends, family and the local community. He is not afraid to take jobs to earn
extra funds for hisgoalsandhehasapplied forand receivedacademic scholarships.
When talking to Julian, I can seehe isnotashamed todreambig.He seeshimselfmov-
ing up through the ski racing ranks to his ultimate goal of some day representing
Canada in theWinterOlympics. At Lakeheadhe is studying tobecomeanengineer,
but his real dream is tobe an astronaut. And I say is go for it! He’s definitely got the
drive.
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DREAMS
Story | Tom Hakala Photos | Georgian Bay Nordic
Combining school and
rigorous training schedules
while living far away from
home and family is a
challenge but Julian Smith
and David Askwith are
making it work.
