Baie St-Paul and Sherbrooke Canada Cups... and an hospital visit
When the big sisters are gone… the little one gets her parents all to herself. And sushi.
Getting the bikes up on Mamie’s car to get to the race in Baie-St-Paul.
Photo by Paul Brouillard.
Ready to race the Baie St-Paul Canada Cup!
Photo by Paul Brouillard.
Warming up.
Photo by Paul Brouillard.
Mara crashed hard on the first lap of the Baie St-Paul mountain biking Canada Cup when her handlebar hit a trail marking pole. They carried her down - partly in a coach’s arms and partly in a 4 X 4 (can someone tell me why they didn’t have a proper ambulance with a stretcher at such a big event?!).
Photo by Paul Brouillard.
She was sent to the hospital for some x-rays. It was nerve wracking to follow that from afar, but my mom was with her and the medics and a Dalbix coach took great care of her.
Photo by Paul Brouillard.
There is no spinal injury, no fracture and no concussion. Pffeew!! They did an ultrasound to rule out internal bleeding since she crashed on her belly (and the tip of her handlebar poked her in lower abdomen...). There might be some torn ligaments, but all she needs to do is rest + ice and take anti inflammatory meds. She even had the OK to race the Sherbrooke Canada Cup the following weekend! That’s all she wanted to hear! She’s such a tough cookie!
The XCT on Sunday in Baie St-Paul was pretty muddy. Aïsha slid under the tape, but got back on the bike and finished strong. Mara was there to cheer for her team!
Catryana, Mara and Aïsha.
In the tulips with Mamie.
Photo by Paul Brouillard.
Bringing Mémé out in the sun and eating some fast food (her favorite - Louis Luncheonnette!)
Aïsha racing the Sherbrooke Canada Cup course under the eyes of her grandparents (up on the hill).
Mara on the Sherbrooke Canada Cup course.
Aïsha
Sisters talking about the race just after crossing the finish line.
Debriefing with coach Dan.
Grand-papa and Grand-maman came from Terrebonne to watch the race and cheer for their grand-daughters.
The whole Dalbix-Siboire Expert Cadet and Junior Crew!
Sweet Charles - aka Cha-cha - who was quite confused to hear people cheer for Aïsha using his own nickname (Sha-sha). He kept repeating: but I AM Cha-cha!
Family who cheer for your daughters when you’re not there: Priceless! It made our hearts so full to see them there.
Mara during the XCC on Sunday.
Aïsha during the XCC
Aïsha during the XCC
Sprint finish for 2nd place for Mara at the XCC (she is the first one here).
Breathing a sigh of relief after securing the 2nd place in a sprint finish!
That’s what you call leaving it all on the course!
Aïsha’s back was killing her during the XCC and she was in a lot of pain. She still finished the race and was proud of herself for not quitting.
Mara on the podium of the XCC.
It was the first time the girls were away for 2 weeks and that we could not be at their races. Needless to say, it was nerve-wracking! But they were very well-surrounded!
The girls had a great flight experience and I feel like since we often hear bad things about Air Canada, I feel it is important to talk about the good things they do too. The girls were upgraded to a direct flight from Montreal to Vancouver (instead of a transfer in Winnipeg) and got upgraded to First Class for that flight AND given 20$ each in per diem to spend at the Vancouver airport! Way to go, Air Canada!
And a little something I posted on Instagram that you might not have read:
And they’re off again, this time it’s only the twins, but for a trip to Quebec. It's funny how when your kids are young and you choose to keep them close people are feeling like you are over protecting then… I've always been a believer in the idea that kids who feel secure when young become confident adults, that you cannot force independence, that it actually come from a place of secure attachment. I had cautious little girls who took their time and we gave them that time. And here they are, at 15 yo, leaving on a trip across Canada alone with 3 flights, solid, independent, resourceful and self-reliant. It's a real treat to watch. Maybe it's time for a little pat on the back.