MISSISSIPPI
MILLS – Twenty-two-year-old Kate Brennan has big plans in the world of cross
country skiing.
Kate, a member of the Alberta
World Cup
Academy, grew up in Pakenham and
attended Arnprior
District High
School. She was also a former member of the
Kanata Nordic Ski Club. This is her second year with the academy.
Kate recently competed in Olympic qualifying races for the
Canadian Nordic ski team, but just missed the cut.
The first weekend, Dec. 11 and 12, the races were held in Sovereign Lake, B.C. while the final qualifying
races were held in Canmore, Alta. from Dec. 19 to 20.
In Canmore, Kate placed seventh in both sprint races.
“In the semis I just didn't have enough energy the first day
then got tripped up on the second day,” she said.
“I may not have qualified for the Olympics, but I think that
I might have secured a World Cup spot for the February Canadian World Cups.”
Kate is now looking forward to having a few days off and
relaxing with her family and friends in Pakenham over the Christmas break.
In the new year, her focus will shift to the upcoming Under
23 World Championship trials in Valcartier, Que. If successful, Kate will have
the chance to represent Canada
at the Under 23 World Champs in Germany
at the end of January.
Her specialty is sprinting, which is in the same format as
track and field, said her mother, Barb Brennan.
The cross country skier began at the age of seven after being
introduced to the sport by Heinz Niederhauser, who became her first coach. She
began racing throughout the region with the Nation Capital Division and started
racing with the Ontario Cup series and qualified for the provincial team at age
14.
Even though she lives in Canmore, she is still able to be a
member of the Ontario
team.
“She needs to be where she is,” said Barb. “She needs
altitude and she needs snow.”
Kate has two junior championships, a U23 World championship
and four World Cup races under her belt at this point.
“I am looking forward to another great racing season that
will be filled with new adventures and hopefully some new opportunities that
will lead me closer to achieving my goal of representing Canada at the
Olympics,” said Kate on her blog.
“It’s wonderful, living in a small community,” said Barb.
“There is such huge support from everyone.”
ADHS and the Pakenham Civitan Club have been cheering Kate
on through her ventures by spreading the word and raising funds for her. The
high school held a fundraiser for Kate in May and the Pakenham Civitan Club is
currently hosting a raffle, with a 50-inch plasma television as the main prize,
to raise money. Tickets for the raffle are available at Arnprior businesses.
Kate’s mother Barb, father, Rob, and her siblings, Jane, Tom
and Elizabeth, have all been cheering the Pakenham skier on.
“It’s a pretty technical sport,” said Barb. “It’s very
amazing to watch – (the athletes) have to be extremely fit.”