August 2, 2003 (Stuttgart, Germany) – For the first time at the 2003 Track Worlds in Stuttgart, Germany light shone for Team Canada on Thursday evening when Lori-Ann Muenzer of Edmonton surged across the finish line in the 500 meter time-trial. With a time of 34.861seconds she not only rode a personal best but more important, she set a new Canadian record. Muenzer held the previous record at 35.00 seconds which she set in Quito, Equador last year at the Pan American Championships.
Prior to Muenzer's breakthrough, athletes on Team Canada had been experiencing bad luck and bad legs. Mandy Potras was the first to compete on Wednesday in the Points race. At the beginning of the race she felt great and easily took 2nd in the second sprint. However, one lap before the third sprint a Dutch rider suddenly lurched sideways and caused a crash. With no-where to go Poitras barrelled into the pile-up. Riders caught in a crash have five laps to regain composure and get back in the race. Poitras, a little shaken up and missing some skin, was able to rejoin the race but afterwards she said “I never felt the same after the crash.” She was disappointed with her 12th place finish.
Immediately following the women's Points Race, Mark Ernsting of Vancouver took to the rail in the Men's Scratch Race. “The week leading up to the race I was feeling great,” said Ernsting, “I was motorpacing between 50-60km/hr with no problem, but in the race here I was having trouble following any wheel at 50km/hr.” He couldn't find good legs and finished last in the race.
The following morning, Erin Carter of Manitoba had a similar experience in the Individual Pursuit. Her time of 3:50 minutes, 19th place, did not demonstrate her pursuiting abilities. Only four hours later, with the advice of National Coach Eric Vandernyne, she rode an out of competition redemption pursuit in a time of 3:43 minutes and again the following morning.
Should've, could've, would've are phrases often muttered by athletes, but the World Championships are all about the here and the now!! Lets hope the light keeps shining on Canada for the next few days!