.................Trailhero: July 2012

The summer games in Swan River were Jaydi's first experience with a big multi sport athletic event. For a small entry fee she was bused to Swan River, fed and housed for 3 nights. She raced twice at different venues, and shuttled around the town with her team for food and entertainment.

Team Central at the museum grounds

The first race of the week was a short track event held on the grounds of the local agricultural museum. The team picked up their bikes at the secure equipment warehouse and rode to the venue. The course was laid out with a start area on the gravel lanes of the museum, then dropping in to the riverside on a grass path with a short rocky technical section. Working its way through a bit of forest, the trail looped through some old plows and tractors (safely cordoned off by some orange tape) and back to the start. This was about a 4 minute lap for the U13 girls. Temperatures and humidity were way up so nobody minded that it was a short race, cx style with 20 minutes plus a lap.

The officials were adamant that coaches, managers and parents keep to the "spectator areas" to avoid any possible accusations of cheating or unfair conduct, but I was able to watch the action from a spot where the trail looped and doubled back so I saw each rider twice per lap. I was about 200 meters from the finish line.

I couldn't see the race start so I waited for the lead riders to come. I expected to see Jaydi somewhere among the first 5 of the 11 starters. The procession came by, no Jaydi till I finally saw her near the back of the group. I cheered her and filmed of course, but was really wondering what was wrong.

As the race continued, the top three positions were held steady by some strong riders, but Jaydi was working her way up. Each lap she seemed to move up a position or two. By the 10 minute mark, the leaders were showing signs of the heat and fatigue. 2nd and 3rd place riders started to fall back, and by the last few minutes, Jaydi passed both of them. She was within a minute of the leader when she finished the race in 2nd.

Jaydi got lots of favorable comments about her strategy of starting slow and steady. I asked her about it later and she said she just had a bad start and got behind everyone. But I think she played her race very well.

The second race, on Friday, was held on Thunder Hill, about 20 minutes south of Swan River. This is a well-known and loved area for mtb racing. It's a very interesting geographical feature, a very large bump in a wide prairiescape. The kid's loop is up on top of this gigantic hill, about a 3 km trail, mostly wide singletrack, ending with two small bridges and a long double pitched climb.

Keeping in mind Jaydi's conservative "strategy" from the first race, I was surprised to see her shoot off the line, leading the pack into the first turn. She was passed by two racers, then held this position for most of the race.

On the final climbs of the last lap, there was some changing up. Jaydi pulled ahead into second spot, prompting the comment "so much for second place" from the rider. I was positioned in front of the ski lodge, waiting for the riders to burst into the final straightaway. First came C, then about 20 seconds behind were Jaydi and O, following close. Jaydi was spinning and O started mashing! O pulled out to the right and dug deep. I watched them hammer together to the line and here is the photographic evidence:

Jaydi was nabbed on the line by a deserving friend. The race was a good one, well fought and exciting to watch.

I was privileged to be a part of the experience with Jaydi since I was able to be a manager for Team Winnipeg Gold with coaches Dave and Seema. Thanks to them for a great time (they are great with the kids), Trevor Shackleton for his coaching with Jaydi's team, Hannah B for managing, and many others who put in their blood sweat and tears to make this happen. And to God for safety and a great experience with his people and creation.