Throughout the summer, I participated in several testing camps where I got a personal best on my 30m sprint (3.75 seconds), my Power Clean (130 kg), and my push start in the Ice House (4.86 seconds). I was pretty satisfied with the majority of these results, but am motivated to improve on these numbers in future.
Every year, our sport organization, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS), wipes the slate clean, and everyone has to compete for a spot on the team. Regardless of previous results in prior seasons, you must compete in the two selection races at the beginning of the season in order to qualify for a team. There are two selection race; the combined point totals from both races for each athlete are added up, and the top six males and females are selected to the National Team. Spots 1-3 are Top Tier World Cup and spots 4-6 are Second Tier Intercontinental Cup.
Last year I had a rough season. I entered the selection race series with the hopes of making the Intercontinental Cup circuit. In my second selection race, the team and I traveled to Whistler. On my first run, I experienced a freak accident when my sled went sideways before I could get onto it. This resulted in me crashing horribly down the fastest tack in the world. When I came to a stop at the bottom of the track, I was rushed to the hospital. I suffered a fractured rib and some bumps and bruises, and major disappointment in not being able to complete the race. I was devastated because that one run prevented me from making the team I had hoped to be on. That last season crash stuck with me and was at the back of my mind going into this year’s selection series.
This year’s races went much better! Both races were on my home track in Calgary. After the first race, I was sitting in second place behind teammate Dave G, and ahead of teammate Greg R. I placed third in my second race behind teammates Greg R and Patrick R. The combined total from both races put me in second place overall. BCS selected me to the World Cup team to represent Canada. I couldn’t be happier!
My World Cup debut will be in Lake Placid New York on December 13th, and then back to Calgary AB for the second World Cup race on December 20th. After these races, the coaches will do an evaluation to see if the teams will be switched up for the second half after Christmas. I hope to still be on the WC tour for the second half.
For now, I am very happy. My hard work has paid off, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to compete for Canada on the World Cup stage. As I blog, I’m in Germany for a two week training camp in Konigsee and Winterberg. The Wold Championships are here in Winterberg at the end of the season, and i'm hoping to be back here to represent Canada in that major event. I just want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the seasons and helped me get to this point. A special shout out to my personal coaches - strength and mental, my physical therapists, and of course my family and friends. It’s going to be an exciting journey. Thanks for being part of it!
Cheers!
Barrett Martineau
