March 31, 2014 (Corner Brook, NFL) - Annah Hanthorn attended the Haywood Ski Nationals March 15 – 22 hosted by Blow Me Down Trails in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.  Annah finished in the top ten in all 5 of her races.  This includes 3 bronze medals and a 2nd place overall aggregate award for her age.  Annah is a first year Junior racing against experienced and tough competition from across Canada.

Annah’s success is even sweeter since a torn ligament in her ankle kept her from training and competing at the Canadian Eastern Championships in February.  Her training was limited while she recovered from the torn ligament.

Annah, who trains and competes in Whitehorse, was coupled with Kendra Murray, native of Whitehorse, for the opening 3km classic sprint relay. At the end of the women's race, 4 athletes hailing from Whitehorse stood on the podium.  Kendra and Annah’s team in 3rd, while 1st place went to Dahria Beatty and Olympian Emily Nishikawa.  

The following day Annah raced the interval start 5km classic.  Despite falling, she was determined to not give up.  Racing with the open women gave Annah a chance to race behind Olympian Daria Gaiazova and Canadian National Team member, Alysson Marshall.  Annah says, “When they passed me, I thought ‘this is my chance’, and I fought to stay with them.  It was the coolest thing to be racing behind an Olympian!”  When the results were in, Annah was in disbelief that she had medaled in third place.  “I couldn’t believe it”, said Annah, “I kept checking the results just to make sure they hadn’t made a mistake.”

The next two races were skate technique races, a 1.4 km sprint and a gruelling 10 km race.  Growing up in Fort McPherson, NWT, where temperatures are usually too cold to practice this technique, these races are especially hard for Annah.  She finished with a 7th place in the 10 km event and 8th in the Sprint.  

The final event of the week long competition was a mass start 20 km classic race.  Annah said, “This was my first 20 km race.  It was a very tough race, but it went really well.”  The race was 4 laps of a 5 km loop making strategy and pacing key to being successful.  “I had super fast skis, I don’t know what my coach did to them, but I made lots of time on the downhills.” Annah actually raced on Emily Nishikawa’s skis (2014 Olympian).  “It was really special to use her skis, I look up to her a lot, like she’s so focused, and of course her ski’s are so fast.”  Annah went on, “I had a huge amount of support racing this week.  My goal coming here to Nationals was to race hard and do my very best, whatever place I come, and I feel like I was able to do that, thanks to my coaches, and teammates.“ 

The pace of the first lap of the 20 km was fast and Annah fought to stay with the leaders.  “I try not to think about outcome during a race.  It is easy to get disheartened and lose focus.  I just concentrated on doing what I needed to do to have the best race possible.”  Annah succeeded by finishing the race in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 58 seconds. Annah finished 46.3 seconds behind 1st place, and 2 minutes ahead of 4th with a very well deserved bronze medal.

Coming home from Nationals with 3 bronze medals was more than Annah had hoped for, but on top of these accomplishments, she was surprised with a generous full sponsorship offer from the company Fisher (the well known ski brand) for next years’ season.  Despite earlier injuries and disappointments, the Cross Country Ski racing season has come to an end on a high note for Annah.

For more information contact:

NWT Ski Division
nwtski@gmail.com
www.nwtski.com