Support your local…

It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a nation to raise an athlete. I am a proud Canadian, and every time I put my red and white race suit on or don my flag embossed helmet I feel twinge of pride for the country that I represent in international competition. When I wear my Canadian competition gear, the whole nation wears it with me, a fact that I am very proud of.

The problem then becomes the fact that Canadians do not know that Nordic Combined even exists. An interesting conundrum considering the difficulty that an unknown entity has in gaining much needed exposure. So what is the solution??? Well, there are several; Own The Podium, Sport Canada, a bake sales, gala events, charity rides, crowd funding websites like pursu.it …that is just to name a few. In fact the possibilities for raising funds are limited by the imaginations of those involved.  So what is the problem? If there are infinite ways to earn a piece of the pie then why are athletes not going after it? For me personally, it is part imagination and part time. As a multi discipline athlete Im training all the time, and this leaves little time to spend on anything else. Add on top of that I’m maintaining a part time job and a minimal social life. If time is money, then and athlete is fairly limited in their expenditures. My solution to this problem is not having attempting to break the pie into even smaller pieces but rather, “how can I make the pie bigger?” How can I convince more people to invest in Canadian athletes? Inspiring results? Innovative campaigns? Really tasty apple pies?

There are organizations out there that are making huge strides for athletes in Canada. One that notably comes to mind is the CAN Fund. An organization that is devoted to support Canadian athletes in their pursuit of excellence. As a completely independent source they provided funding to top Canadian athletes when they need it most. Basing criteria on both financial need and sport performance they target the athletes who need it most so that they can continue to train and perform at the highest of levels. As a recipient of the CAN Fund, I know first hand how important they are to me and the amateur sport community in Canada. If you are looking for a way to support the amateur athletic community in Canada as a whole this is undoubtably the best way to do it. Direct athlete support so that they can afford the things that they need to train and compete.

There are also many other ways to help Canadian athletes directly, and one that has become much more popular is crowdfunding. In Canada the website pursu.it is a valuable resource for athletes who are willing to commit to a campaign and really bring attention to themselves and their sport. I have found success in this avenue along with many other athletes, and I am glad that I am surrounded by such amazing friends and colleagues. My suggestion to you is to take a look at some of the videos that have been posted, and to take a look at their stories and see the world through our eyes.

 

 

 

 

As a Canadian athlete, I am so proud to wear the Maple Leaf and I cannot imagine growing up in a more amazing country. As an athlete I have the honour of bring Canada to the world and I look forward to continuing my journey towards the Olympics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carpe Diem

Ps. If you would like to donate to the CAN Fund go to the link below

http://www.canadianathletesnow.ca

PPs. If you would like to take a look at crowdfunding in action follow the link below:

http://www.pursu.it

Fireworks

There are lots of comparisons that you can draw between athletes and life; a chef, actors, scholars, teachers, artists, trees, or animals. However with all the comparisons available I keep coming back to athletes and fireworks. Odd, I know, but please hear me out on this one. A firework has one purpose and that is to dazzle and amaze the viewers. At least from the viewers prospective that is. Now for a minute let us pretend that this firework was able to tell us its story?

“Once upon a time I was born in a factory, I got shipped to a store, bought, and finally shot off to the amazment of others.” The End

Sounds pretty lame, but in fact I see brillance in this thought. The firework was built to entertain, and that is exactly what it did, it entertained. In entertaining, I think that firework found peace within itself for accomplishing what it set out to do. Ok so your probably thinking “Wes you are a crazy guy who spends way to much time training on your own. There is no way that you are a firework.”.  I don’t blame you for that thought one bit, but as an athlete I will spend thousands of hours training and working hard that a viewer will never see, only to spend roughly 12 seconds ski jumping and 25 minutes cross country skiing dazzling and amazing viewers. What does my story look like?

“Once upon a time a Canadian fell in love with a sport, trained like his life depended on it, travelled, and finally raced for the entertainment of others”

The End

After looking at it like that it makes a bit of sense? Well, I think…No, no way. I dont race for others to watch, I dont train the way I do for others, I do it for myself. I find that from racing and training and spending countless hours focused on a goal, the only way that I can still look at myself in the mirror is because I am so incredibly passionate about what I do that if I were to do it for anyone but myself I would lose focus and drive. That is just me, but what about the firework? Perhaps if that firework could talk it would say that it has spent the whole time in the factory doing what little it could to make it more brillant and vibrant then the rest? That when you light it up, it will glow brighter and have a louder bang then all the rest because that is what it is passionate about? Because everyday that firework knows that it will have its chance to shine. It is primed ready and willing to go the distance because that is what it is passionate about, just like any high performance athlete, primed, ready and willing to push the limits of their body and mind.

 

Carpe Diem

Off The Off Season

Firstly,

Happy Mothers day mom and to all the other moms out there. You are our first fan and our first sponsor, so thank you for all the support and assistance that you provide. I know that I would not be anywhere near where I am without you. So thank you.

If you are a person who regularly follows my blog and my results you could probably tell that there is a certain parallel between the two. When competing is going well the writing is more exciting and fun as opposed to the opposite when my performance is not there and my  writing is forced and unenthusiastic. As I guess it could be with telling any story; I enjoy regaling tales of success and triumph and tend to the side of reserve when discussing failure and disappointment.

This spring I have given myself ample time to reflect upon the last season. For me to pinpoint one specific cause is not such a good idea, but rather it is in the big picture that I have found the biggest problems. Immediately I see that my jumping is clearly lacking, but after some time I have come to realize that the reason that this is not working is because I am lacking the fundamentals of ski jumping. This absence of foundation has cause the cascade effect that is impacting my cross country skiing and my outlook on sport. After I made this discovery my attitude took a complete 18o and I am so excited to move forward into the summer.

So since the Canadian National Championships wrapped up I have kept busy. Returning to racing not a week later in the Woppet (Whistler Olympic Park Loppet), a race where I remember why I race. The pure enjoyment of being outside and pushing my boundaries and limits. This go around was extra special because I was able to share the experience with my brother who was entering in his first ever cross country ski race. It was a really special opportunity for me to share and impart some of my life on him after he has helped and guided me along my journey with amazing prowess. Along with one final ski race, I have also been given the amazing opportunity of joining a multitude of Canadian sport heros at the Olympic Excellence Series. Where I have reacquainted with many old friends and made more new ones during this very busy weekend. If not to impart Olympic value and familiarization it has certainly fired me up to #GiveYourEverything.

So what is next for me? where will I go from here? Well, short term there will be a large focus on regaining the joy and fundamentals of sport that I lost sight on. With the Olympics quickly become short term focus(271 days for those who are not counting) and a summer of hard work ahead, I look at all of the challenges ahead not as obstacles but instead as opportunities.

Carpe Diem

Time to travel, some thoughts from an athlete on the road

As an athlete I am so fortunate that I am able to explore the world, seeing things that I never thought possible and meeting people who I never would have known otherwise. This gift, I often take for granted when I get wrapped up in the bubble that is competition and training. That being said, I am not a tourist, nor am I a business man, but instead perhaps and intrepid adventurer? Whatever you call it, I travel with one single purpose and that is to be the best Nordic Combined skier that I can be. A goal that sometimes requires a sort of blinder to the things that exist around myself. This does not mean that I cannot observe my surroundings  but instead it means that when I finally take the proverbial blinder off I can reflect on the things I have seen and people that I have met. It is for that reason that I love coming home so much. In the pre-dawn hours, caught in a jet lag induced stuper I have decided to share my reflections with the world. (I apologize in advanced for rambles or misteaks ;), I will proof later to make sure it isn’t to bad!)

I never thought that I would find myself competing in Kazakhstan, a country more synonymous with the movie Borat then with the sport of Nordic Combined. Almaty, Kazakhstan is the largest city in Kazakhstan and the birthplace of the apple. Interesting enough, but not reasons why they would build a multimillion dollar ski jump facility that is rivaled by very few of even the best facilities in the world. It is through their immense desire to host the world during the Winter Olympics, that they see the need to build these emblems of sport in their largest city. It is incredible what the Olympics can drive not only athletes to do, but whole countries and the wonder and hope that it can inspire in the world.

Prior to going to Almaty I was at the Olympic test event for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Where I must say, the contrast between the venues and hotels was very different from the world at large. We were staying in Rosa Khutor, a small hotel village located 70 km southeast from Sochi. These hotels are brand new and built in modern style that were so eerily different from the surroundings that I personally felt uncomfortable. It was fantastic to stay in these high class hotels but it did not seem to fit the mold, however I would say that not much that has recently been built fits the mold considering how underdeveloped the area was before the announcement of the 2014 Olympics.

These new adventures are a welcome break to the  stock world cups that are attended year after year. I find that the sense of adventure is lost when I travel to the same venues year after year, and the excitement of jumping a new jump or racing a new course can never be found, only remembered. As a person I do not like traveling thousands of kilometers only to go to the same place, but as an athlete I value this familiarity with venues in competition since the variables are more known and the surroundings are not distractions.

Travel is a tricky beast because it is stressful. It is hard, and unkind but necessary. I think that this year, more so in past I have found my personal strategies that work the best to keep my mind active and my body strong through long tours away from home.

Carpe Diem

Klingenthal

So for the past two weeks I have been in Klingenthal Germany. A small German/Czech boarder town which is home of the Vogtland Arena, the venue for multiple Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined events during the year. With so many events held there, we tend to spend a lot of time training and competing in Klingenthal, so much so that I feel like it as a sort of second home. This past camp I was there first for a Continental cup weekend which was followed by a World Cup weekend.

As for the events, I felt that I skied pretty fast…and thats about where the positive ends. All be it thats a pretty big positive, but I can usually count on that. What I really need now is to figure out my Ski Jumping. I’m not lost in theories or thoughts like last year, but instead I’m stuck with nasty old habits that are very tough to shake. This sport is very difficult, and I know that I can do a proper jump,3 it is just a matter of time before I find my old form again.

Personally I am getting very tired of these blogs about how my skiing is going so poor, and how I need to do this better and that different and how if I had done this then that would have changed. This is an athletic story though and I know that once I finally break out of this slump the success will be that much sweeter. Its just a matter of time though. For today it is just about the day to day triumphs and struggles.

That being said, I am now in Rosa Khutor. A small tourist village roughly 40 km North East of Sochi, Russia. Where I am currently preparing for the pre-Olympic test event which is to be held this coming weekend. I would be a lot more excited for these events had it not been for the rain which seems to have put a serious damper on the ski jump and cross country preparation. Hopefully the organizing committee is learning from these mistakes and are going to be better prepared come February next year when they will play host to the world.

Carpe Diem

Rocky beginnings

Hello All,

It has been a rough start to the winter. Park city was not the proper foot to start my season off with, bad racing and poor jumping results really took a chunk out of my confidence. My first World Cups of the season didn’t really do much for me either. Not making the cut always hurts, but when it happens so soon after what feels like a big improvement in my jumping it is even tougher to swallow. I really thought that I had a chance to put in a result, but instead it just wasn’t there.

Enough about that,

The Christmas break was really needed after Park City. It is always amazing to go home, be with family and relax without thinking too much about racing and not being at home. That does not mean that it is a free pass not to train or be a slob, but instead a chance to train on your schedule and sleep in a little bit. This year was extra special because for the first time in recent memory we were able to jump the K90 in Calgary during this holiday season. A real treat considering I really need some quality training time and our K63 is not my favorite place to jump! These breaks are really important for any athlete because we spend so much time strung up with competition, which pulls us away from family, friends and the finer things in life. Not to say that being a competitive athlete isn’t amazing because it is, it can just be a bit trying at times.

So what does it mean?

It means that right now I am pumped! I know the season hasn’t started all that great, but that doesn’t mean that I cannot jump well or race fast tomorrow. A wise man once told me that “everything in life is a loop”(not necessarily the answer I was looking for at the time, and kinda weird but an interesting concept), so by that logic I will eventually come around. So I why not be excited, being frustrated is only going to make it worse for myself while I put in the effort to come around.

Carpe Diem

The calm before the storm

Hey All,

Welcome to the beginning of my season, our first race is in less then a week and now is the time to be relaxed. As always this year is like no other year and the focus, excitement, attitude and level of fitness are different. Perhaps an example of how fluid and adaptable an athlete needs to be in order to see success in sport.

A major aspect of sport is adaptability. Adaptability to conditions both within and outside of your body and mind. So many of the top athletes in the world are able to change the way they compete to in order to stay on top. From pushing technical aspects of sport to controlling their minds in stressful scenarios to being fluid when mother nature does not cooperate. Don’t get me wrong though, adaptability is not the only skill the worlds elite possess, it is merely a tool that those who see long term success demonstrate.

So looking forward for myself, I see this season as an opportunity to start fresh and make a positive impact on my year. With a fresh perspective, fresh mind and a body that is more fit then ever, I am excited to see where this season will take me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carpe Diem

 

Also I need your help, I am currently trying to raise money for my athletic career and I need donations. Till the end of January I am running a campaign through the website pursu.it and if you could take the time to watch my video and donate if it feels right. I am counting on your support.

https://pursu.it/campaign/wesley-savill/

If you copy this address into your address bar to go to my profile.

 

Thank you for your time,

Wesley Savill

Frozen Pipes

Every Fall there is a Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Competition that acts as a send off for the summer, the Frozen Pipes. Its kind of a funny time to hold an event with a bunch of tired athletes who are looking forward to switching gears away from the summer season, most often high winds and the odd frozen pipe(which we need to water the jump hill). Personally I am excited to compete on Saturday(as I am sure other athletes are) as a final send off for what has been an “interesting summer”. The Frozen Pipes Is also and opportunity for the Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined community to come together and share in a collective celebration of sport in Canada. Along with the Frozen Pipes I am also holding the inaugural Faster-Further Fundraising event!!!! The Faster-Further Bake Sale!

Since the beginning of the summer coaches and members of the board have asked athletes to put on fundraisers for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined in Canada. So this Fall I approached the treasurer(Barb) about how much money there is in the budget to hold fundraising events, and the response I got was frightening. Simply put, there is no money in the budget for fundraising. So after my chat with Barb I decided to do something to help turn things around for the club and myself. So starting on Saturday I am holding the Faster-Further Bake Sale as an effort to fundraise to fundraise. Hopefully this one goes off with effect that I am looking for so that I can work with the “plan-A” roll out for the Faster-Further 2013 events!

Carpe Diem

Wesley Savill

R-october!!!

Here we go, its time to put in the effort, now is when we get fast, this is where we see if we are fit. Its OCTOBER!!! I love this time of year. This is the time when we get fast, when we get ready, when the gloves start to come off(and on!).

I am so excited coming into this R-October. I feel like the hard work of the summer is starting to pay off. My jumping is starting to improve, my cross country skiing is starting to feel strong, and my mind/body is getting excited for the winter season to come. This coming winter is a big one as well with Olympic qualification on the line starting in December. I am feeling like I am in a good spot to make some real waves with the kinds of improvements that I have made in the past couple months.

This summer has not been without its downs though. Jumping has been a major struggle for me and I have had to work very hard to get it to the level it is at now. It suffered from every sort of issue, inconsistency, lack of technique, and no power. That is not behind me now but is on the up and up which gives me confidence heading into the winter season.

I have high hopes for myself, but also the team. There are some really promising juniors coming up this summer. Nathaniel “Mini” Mah has started to ski fast and his jumping is coming along very well. He had a very impressive showing on the Grand prix in central Europe, hopefully he can continue the momentum. Along side “Mini” there are some very impressive younger skiers who have the potential to qualify for the Continental Cup races in North America at the beginning of the season.

All in all I am happy that it is October and things are looking up. It is sad though that this summer has seemingly gone by so quickly. However now it is time for me to set aside my running shorts in exchange for my race tights, trade hats for toques, and my shoes for boots. Im excited and ready for this time of year, and am looking forward to the training and then the racing to come. Lets ski FAST!

Carpe Diem

Faster Further

Hello world,

What does it mean, Faster Further? Why would I embody this saying? Where would it come from?

To me it is what I do. I race faster and I jump further. It is what Nordic Combined is as a sport. It is borrowed from the Olympic motto “Citus, Altius, Fortius”, Faster, Higher, Stronger. It is from this saying that I draw strength from and from this I have decided to embody myself as a steward of sport.