Parkite and Olympian cross-country skier Rosie Brennan shone bright again over the weekend in Trondheim, Norway, the site of the third cross-country World Cup of this young season. In Norway, Brennan walked away with what was her third podium finish of the season, taking second in the 10k interval event.
Brennan also placed 8th and 18th in the World Cup’s 20k skiathlon and sprint events, helping cement her third place spot in the overall World Cup standings. She sits only 11 points behind Sweden’s Emma Ribom in second place and 86 behind the U.S.’s Jessie Diggins in first, her teammate.
Brennan will next strap on her skis and chase those two at the end of the month, when the season’s fourth Cup takes place in Toblach, Italy. The event in the country’s northernmost region will mark the first of the season’s second period, or Tour de Ski as it’s also called.
First, however, Brennan and the rest of the competitors will take a much-needed weekend off of competition, where Brennan will rest and kick her feet up in Italy.
She discussed how she typically likes to enjoy her mountainous surroundings, cook a few meals for herself and more during this period, to help herself enjoy what can otherwise be a bit hectic lifestyle.
“The goal is to forget about racing for a bit,” Brennan said. “Period 1 was a lot of hotel time, and when you spend five months over there, that gets really exhausting, so I use the breaks to be a bit more independent — cook my own food, live on my own schedule, etc., and really just enjoy those little pleasures of life.”
The aim of the time off and enjoying life is for Brennan to recharge after ending the first period strong yet slightly fatigued. She did mention, however, that her ability to “dig deep” and get past that fatigue for success will give her more confidence moving onward in the season and her future.
Brennan will have a full 12 days off competition, before that World Cup in Italy kicks off on the 30th. It will feature 10k interval, 20k pursuit and sprint events, one of which is her specialty and one of which she is rapidly gaining confidence in.
“I’ve always been good at 10k’s. They are also the event we race the most starting as juniors,” said Brennan. “20km was a new distance last season, so I still feel like I am figuring that out, but I really like the distance as well, we just don’t do as many. I did have a podium in the 20k in Ruka, so I know it’s possible.”
That Italian Cup will run from Dec. 30 until Jan. 1, after which Brennan and her competitors will have a short turnaround to compete in the fifth World Cup event on Jan. 3 in Davos, Switzerland. Thankfully for them, the trip is just a few hours drive away, where weather and conditions should remain relatively similar.
To track Brennan and the rest of the field’s progress in Italy, Switzerland or the rest of the season, use the FIS’ website. The races will be streamed on Ski and Snowboard Live’s website, albeit behind a paywall.