Stewart-Jones was tired after completing the best race of her career. So she was also the next day, due to the aftershocks, leaving everything on track.

Barely 24 hours had passed since he was 11^e 1st place in the 20K freestyle event when the cross-country skier dropped out to heed the call of The press. The sun had set for hours in Davos.

The Chelsea athlete’s result in Outaouais is the best for a Canadian cross-country skier in the World Cup since March 10^e Place by Perianne Jones in January 2014. Best for a Quebecer since 6th^e Square by Marie-Andrée Masson in March 1985.

The 2022-2023 season for Stewart-Jones is a true fairy tale. Finally his wishes come true. In the last three seasons she has directed seven top 30 in individual competitions. She has six out of seven races since the beginning of the calendar, including four top 20. His attitude, quick draw and attitude on the course seem unwavering.

At 27, she sheds light on the shadows. noise in the silence. His perhaps unknown face could soon become that of Canadian cross-country skiing.

Make your own decisions

“For me, consistency in training has always meant consistency in racing,” Katherine Stewart-Jones said of her transformation. According to him, his brilliant results are the result of his tireless efforts in training.

This hard worker’s dedication is noticed by her teammates. “She’s 100% in her training,” says Antoine Cyr. She’s really determined and always has been. »

The only difference is that today she decides for herself how she trains.

She is supported by her trainers but feels more in control. She knows her needs better than anyone and this new approach has already proven itself.

She speaks of “more responsibility” when she tries to explain why she is suddenly so successful. “I wanted to have more control over my own success. I started implementing my ideas into my training plan. That boosts motivation,” she says.

change perspective

His current performance makes him dream. She has developed into one of the best cross-country skiers in the world, so her goals have de facto evolved in that direction.

“By the end of the week I said to myself that a top 20 would coolbut one top 15 would be even better because I know I can. »

For the second season including the Tour de Ski, she aims to a top 10.

To achieve this, “it [lui] just a little out of shape. The championship leaders have been skiing more than 800 hours a year for the past 10 years, says Stewart-Jones. Since she later started training full-time [sa] life” it will take more time to reach a possible podium finish.

She’s not lucky enough to have a base and resources akin to those of Jessie Diggins or Frida Karlsson, but the Quebecois is patient. Mainly because she has the privilege of living off her passion. “It took me four years to get away from that top 30 to top 20, but it will take me a few more years to get onto the podium here. »

alone together

Quiet strength and valued teammate, like her role model Sadie Bjornsen, the 15^e Cross-country skier of the world will certainly have the support of her family until her first podium finish.

His older brother Andrew lives in Terrace, British Columbia, his other brother Patrick lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia and his twin sister Emilie lives in Whitehorse, Yukon. Despite everything, the whole family follows her from afar, from coast to coast. His father, still in Outaouais, “is a big fan of cross-country skiing”: “He calls me after every weekend to talk about the races. »

The season is young, but Stewart-Jones is already full of confidence. “Mentally I’m in a good place. “She spends her holidays in Switzerland, a question of strength for the future.

Although she admits to being “happy but never entirely satisfied” with her races, she is conscious of her excellent performance and her famous trigger. Still, at 27, she refuses to believe she’s at her peak. “Actually, I think it’s just the beginning. »