It was a hot start to the 2023 Canadian MTB championships in Kentville, NS on Thursday with the short track races kicking off the weekend.
The day started with the U17 categories, for the first ever U17 Canadian National short track champion. Rafaelle Carrier for CVM Sigma Assurance took the gold medal in the women’s race, ahead of Juliette Raymond for Club Cycliste Mont-Sainte-Anne and her teammate Maude Ruelland.
In the men’s race, Nicolas Gauthier of Ride with Rendall became the first Canadian Nation short track champion, ahead of Tristan Taillefer of Siboire QuiRoule and Maddox Johnson.
Close races in junior categories
In the junior women’s category, defending champion Marin Lowe for Stimulus Orbea took the title once again, ahead of Madeleine Pollock for Cycling BC and Anabelle Drouin for Équipe Québec – Sigma Assurances.
“I had a tactic to stay behind some people until I got enough energy and attack when I had enough energy and was ready to go. I executed it well so I’m happy and I’m tired!” Lowe said.
The junior men’s title was up for grabs as defending champion Zorak Paillé raced in the Elite men’s category. The race was close until the final two laps, when Ian Ackert for Stimulus Orbea made his move and took first place.
Repeat champions in both elite categories
The elite women’s race was close for most of the nine laps, with Jennifer Jackson of Liv Factory Racing and Haley Smith of Maxxis Factory Racing fighting for position in the front of the pack. The race would come down to a sprint to the finish line, with the defending champion Laurie Arseneault crossing the line just ahead of Jackson and Smith.
“It was such a hard race!” Arseneault said, “Jenn Jackson went full gas from the beginning and she crushed it completely, it was insane how much power she had.”
Arseneault says that it feels good to keep her title after a hard season. “I keep pushing and believing so it was very rewarding to win it. Even if it’s the short track it feels like a nice victory.”
The day of racing ended with a bang with the elite men’s race. The breakaway went early, with former olympian Léandre Bouchard and defending champion Carter Woods at…
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