Get to know Pat

Q: Tell us about yourself.

I’m a BC girl through and through – born in Golden and spent my informative youthful years at Naramata. Finished an education degree at UBC and then moved to Smithers during my early 20’s to start a career. Met my husband there and shortly after that purchased my first set of skis. Our skiing amounted to weekend excursions through the local mountain passes on recreational style cross country skis. We raise our family in Smithers and introduced our 2 sons to the sport at an early age. Eventually the community developed a true cross country area part way up the ski hill road and our family, along with many others, became ensconced in the nordic life style. The kids were part of the racing scene and David and I spent many hours volunteering in some way or another to support the success of the sport.

As I watched my sons develop as competent cross country skiers I decided that when I retired from education it would be my turn. I wanted to experience training schedules and racing and feel what it would be like to adopt this nordic life style.

I had Vernon and Sovereign Lake Nordic Club on my radar to fulfill this dream and we made the move to the area in 2008. I’ve served on the SLNC Board for 12 years since that time and served as Chai or Vice Chair for the majority of those years. I took on the lifestyle of a ski racer by 2010 – I joined the Masters ski group that was run by our club, found a gym in town and hired a personal trainer, and followed online coaching programs for cross country skiers. I participated in local racing whenever I could and raced in the MWC at Sovereign in 2011 for my first real racing experience. I had great success to my surprise winning all of the races I entered. From there, I’ve continued to participate in 7 Master’s World Cups in the last 11 years travelling with a keen group of Masters racers from all around BC.

The Master’s HP group has provided the framework for our training. I have a drop of Ladies that are as keen as I am and we support each other in our daily training pursuit.

I share the love of nordic skiing with my entire family. My husband introduced all of us to skiing and continues to log the kms on a daily basis. Both of our sons, their wives and my 4 grandchildren all ski. My eldest son, Shane is coaching n the Bunnies program while his daughter participates. We reside on the mountain full time and the kids spend weekends with us so their family can enjoy all that Silver Star and Sovereign have to offer. My other son and his family are living in the Bulkley Valley and they also have a strong presence in the Nordic Club with everyone skiing and my daughter in law coaching while the kids participate in Bunnies and Jack Rabbits.

Q: You were a part of the Sovereign Lake Masters group that recently competed at World masters in Canmore, what was that experience like for you?

HP Masters from Sovereign have just completed skiing in MWC 2022 at Canmore. This event included beautiful; ski conditions, lovely scenery to be enjoyed and some exciting racing after a 2 year hiatus because of CoVID. It felt really good to be back in the racing scene – we’ve been training hard but had no way of gauging whether the training was paying off. Vey few Europeans came to Canmore but the ones that did arrive were competitive which made the experience more exciting. Again, I came away having won all of the events I entered in which provides me with the confidence that the training program I’m on is a good one.

Q: Was this your first time competing at world masters?

First MWC – 2011

Q: What are your short term training goals you’d like to accomplish over the next couple months?

By the end of March I’ll wind down the training for this year and take a few weeks off to recuperate. Next year’s training program starts again in May so I need a break at this point.

Q: What’s your favorite xc race and why? 

I don’t really have a favourite – but I have had the most success when the race finishes in under 2 hours. After that time I can really feel the exertion.

Q: Have you done any of the world loppets? if so, which ones?

I’ve raced in a few of the World Loppet’s – Canadian Gatineau, American Birkie, Switzerland Engadin, Norwegian Birkie. I’ve been in the winning circle for my age group in all of the above. The last Gatineau rave was in 2020 and I was the fastest Canadian women in the classic race and won Bronze for the overall event – stood on the podium with 2 American girls half my age.

Q: What is your greatest xc ski accomplishment?

Winning my age group in the Norwegian Birkie

Q: Have you coached xc skiing ? if so, what got you started?

I coached the Junior Racing team in Bulkley Valley for a couple of years and also had a small group of successful girls that I coached for several years before that. Once I moved to Sovereign I led the Greyhounds for the XC masters for 4 years.

Q: Hobbies and interests outside of skiing?

NONE! Actually my husband and I are avid hikers and I send summer months on my bike but mostly I ski train.

Q: What are your training plans for the summer?

I’ll continue with my ski training that includes mountain striding, riding my bike, roller skiing a lot, and weekly gym workouts.

Q: Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?

I like to train hard and am very focussed which are qualities that a person needs to do well at this sport

Q: What do you believe is the greatest challenge older athletes are facing today?

Older athletes need to manage their training so they don’t over do it – follow a guided program and make sure they wear their HR monitor. Too many of the older folks just wing it and aren’t following good programs which gets the into trouble with their health.

Q: How do you overcome a bad race?

Not sure because I haven’t really had a bad race

Q: Do you have any advice for mature athletes who want to take their training to the next level and start racing?

Follow a program that is first rate and find a group that you can train with.

Rapid fire questions 
Do you have a nickname: no
Favorite pre-race snack: don’t eat before racing
Favorite food or pre race meal: usually oatmeal in some fashion
Race food preference: Gels or gummies: gels
Favorite hydration drink: e-load
Preferred ski brand: fisher
Coffee or tea: coffee ( caffeine)
who do you text the most? ski buddies
favorite dessert? pie
favorite season? winter
Cats or dogs? neither – no pets!
Favorite trail at Sovereign: Zuma’s

Full race 2022 World Masters Race Results

Check out more photo’s from the Sovereign Masters at the 2022 World Masters

For video footage on the 2022 World Masters event check out the Sizzle Reels on YouTube