Several local mountain bikers will compete in two Canada Cup races over the next month, in hopes of qualifying for the National Team.
Lauren Rosser and a few other fellow Team 麻豆社国产cyclists are flying to Mont Tremblant, Quebec in mid-May to compete in the cross-country and downhill races on Saturday May 22 and Sunday May 23.
The following weekend Team 麻豆社国产competitors will make their way to Barrie, Ontario to compete in the third Canada Cup race of the season on Sunday May 30.
Rosser's father Ron said each of the families is required to pay their own way over to the qualifier competitions, which add up.
"This year she's going by herself because we just can afford to go, so it will cost about $1,500 just for her to fly there and back, her food, and whatever bike expenses she may incur back there."
Ron said he's not really comfortable with his 16-year-old daughter travelling by herself, but the Rossers don't have the funds to pays for two flights without more funding.
"The provincial team supplies housing and transportation to and from the airport to the venue so they do pitch in that way but it was they used to give them money to fly, they'd give them $500 towards their airfare but not anymore."
Rosser said it will be tough without her dad by her side but she thinks she'll make do.
"It's going to be challenging to go by myself because I won't have someone to help me with my bike, right then and there but I think I know enough about my bike to know how to fix it."
The cost associated with racing could be reduced, according to Rosser if more sponsors stepped up. Without additional funding, she said it's going to become fairly difficult for her compete because mountain bike racing is an expensive sport.
"You need to have money to be able to keep your bike at top notch and travel from race to race and without that money it's very hard so you'll probably miss races."
In an effort to raise some money Rosser has been collecting bottles when she can and picking up extra hours of baby sitting.
"She can't get a job because she doesn't have the time for it."
Ron said many athletes are in the same position as his daughter, trying to raise funds to compete, but that's not the way it has always been
"It would just be nice if the [provincial] government hadn't clawed back the money, the funding. It seems that now since the Olympics are over, that's it. They say they still want to own the podium but were does the funding go to own the podium unless they're investing in up and coming athletes?
Ron said the two Canada Cup races are Rosser's only shot to qualify for the national team this year, so she has to go.
"So in order for her to achieve her goal she has to go back east and she's also got to take two weeks out of school to do it."
The Team 麻豆社国产racer said she's aiming to finish in the top five at both of the Canada Cup races.
