 Photo by Gord Jewett Hometown: Pakenham, ON
Residence: Canmore, AB
Ski Club: Kanata Nordic
DOB: May 25, 1987
Height: 5'6"
Academia/Work: Computer Science
Favorite Race: Classic Sprint
11/12 Season Goal: Rock the senior race scene
Words of Wisdom:
”Looks like the wall was in your head, not your heart.” ~ Our Lady Peace
Equipment
Skis: Fischer
Boots: Alpina
Bindings: Rottefella
Poles: Yoko
Base Layers: Icebreaker
Sponsors
Pakenham Civitan Club
Background:
Pakenham is a small town forty-five minutes West of Ottawa, Ontario. It is recognized for the Mount Pakenham Ski Resort, having the only five arch stone bridge in North America and Racing Kate. This is where Kathleen Brennan began her ski career. The second child in a family of four children, Kate was approached at the age of seven at the local day care center and asked if she would like to try the sport of Cross-Country Skiing. Heinz Niederhauser, who would become Kate’s first coach, was recruiting youngsters to develop the Lowney Lake Nordic racing program. Niederhauser lead the team to different races every weekend in the National Capital Division where the athletes could meet up with friends and teammates for some fun competition. These early racing experiences combined with her competitive drive are what kept Kate dedicated to the sport.
With a natural talent in skiing and a tempo that’s hard to match, Kate was a decorated Junior racer and is now an established Senior racer. Making her way from Ontario Cups and onto the Ontario Team, Kate’s journey lead her to train at NTDC Thunder Bay for two seasons before moving to Canmore in 2008 to train with the Alberta World Cup Academy at 20 years of age. In 2010, Kate qualified for her second U23 Championships with a 4th place finish in Val Cartier, Quebec in the 10km Classic. Kate raced to an impressive 15th place in the prologue and finished off 21st overall in the Skate Sprint in Hinterzarten, Germany at the U23 Championships. Kate also found success in the Skate Sprint at a German FIS race, winning the qualifier and finishing 8th overall. Returning back home to Canmore in late February to race her fifth World Cup.
Kate is a down to earth, generous and enthusiastic teammate. With her perspective, maturity and positive attitude she is a role model for all the girls on the Academy. Aside from training full-time, running her dog Blitz around the block and working at the Paintbox Lodge, Kate is working towards a Computer Science degree through correspondence from Athabasca University. Looking to add to her decorated ski resume this season, Kate is more than qualified to exceed her expectations.
Notable Results/Achievement
Getting a larger than life picture of myself put on the team vans
21st Under 23 World Championships 2010
4th 10km Classic NorAm ValCartier
7th in both Olympic trials sprints
Photo Gallery
 | Both the Juniors and the U23 athletes have each had a day of competition now at their respective world championships. The juniors raced their sprint competition 2 days ago and the U23s raced yesterday. » more » |
|  |  | Kate Brennan finished 21st in today's skate sprint at the World U23 Championships in Hinterzarten, Germany just ahead of teammate Emily Nishikawa who was 27th. » more » |
| |  | Canada has many reasons to be thankful for the late Heinz Niederhauser's selfless devotion to the sport of Cross Country skiing in Canada. We, the athletes of the Alberta World Cup Academy, are especially thankful for Heinz's recruitment strategy at a daycare in Pakenham, Ontario. » more » |
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