Stinger Buzz

     Honey Stinger super-athlete (xterra athlete by summer, nordic skier extraordinaire among other things by winter) has just finished her bid for a U.S. Olympic Team spot at the U.S. Cross Country Nationals in Anchorage Alaska.  She now must await the points calculations and the decision of the USOC to see if she can make it to another Olympic Games, this year being in Vancouver.

     On January 2, Dussault skated to a nationals podium in the 1.4 kmskate sprint event.  She took home the 2nd place spot to gain some valuable points towards her olympic bid.  Two days later in the 10 km skate event, Dussault finished a somewhat disappointing 6th place – but was still able to gain some valuable ground in the points race for the ultimate goal – the Olympics.  After the skate events came the classic cross country events.  In the 21 km event, a late mistake cost Rebecca a podium spot and she finished in 4th.  The final event of nations was the classic sprint in which competitors had to deal with a moose charging and chasing them in a harrowing freak event during the race.  Dussault was just edged out for 4th and took 5th place in a photo finish.

     Rebecca now must sit back and endure the stress of the waiting game to see what the final points list says and determines her Olympic fate.  Good luck to you Rebecca and fingers crossed here at Honey Stinger.