For sheer fun, Zina Kocher signed up for the 2017 Canadian Cross-Country Ski Nationals in her hometown of Canmore, Alta. "My coach Richard Boruta thought it was a great idea for me to give it a try," says Kocher, 34. (Twitter/@biathloncanada)That very day, Kocher committed to dropping down to part-time studies in hopes of chasing down a spot on the Canadian Olympic team. (Canada is expected to send at least five female cross-country skiers to Pyeongchang based on World Cup and Olympic trial results.) Born and raised in Red Deer, Alta., Kocher learned to cross-country ski at the River Bend Golf Course and Heritage Ranch.

Source: CBC News October 10, 2017 17:11 UTC