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December 6, 2005
Olympic Modern Pentathlete Kara Grant Climbs Canadian Fencing Rankings
Canadian fencing circuit selection competition #2 was held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan December 2-4. Kara placed 5th in Sunday's Senior Women's Epee event. Maintaining a strong performance all day, she lost to eventual silver medalist and 2004 Olympic Team fencer Catherine Dunnette. The fencers traded the lead several times leading up to the final minute at which point Dunnette took the lead for good. This 5th place finish is Kara's best fencing result to date. "This result is extremely gratifying," explained Kara. "I've been training hard for a number of years and making significant progress. It's wonderful to finally see that progress reflected in results."
When asked about her plans for the future Kara indicated that this was only the beginning of a very busy 3 years leading up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where she intends to improve on her 22nd place finish in the Modern Pentathlon event at the Athens Olympics. Kara plans to returns to full time pentathlon training in 2006. "It's nearly impossible to be competitive at the International level unless you are a full time athlete," she explained. "In order to train all 5 sports and compete in nearly a dozen pentathlon competitions and almost as many fencing tournaments, there is really no other choice. I had a fantastic opportunity to work for the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic this year, which I enjoyed immensely, but I"m ready to continue my athletic journey on a full time basis again. It will be challenging to fund my program, but not to embark would be to admit defeat and that is just not my nature."
Next stop: Houston Texas for a North American Cup fencing tournament January 13-15.
For complete Tournament results: click here
October 8, 2005
2005 PEI School Tour
This has been a great year for getting back to basics in training and life after
the excitement of Olympic year. I set several personal goals for myself for
2005, including the goal of getting back out into the schools and communities
in Atlantic Canada to give motivational presentations. I'm happy to announce
that I will be visiting 15 Intermediate level schools across PEI after
Thanksgiving. The Division of Sport and Recreation of the Department of
Community and Cultural Affairs has recognized this project as an excellent way
to reach Island youth and help support my athletic career by sponsoring this
program. I'm very excited about the tour.
The presentations will be tailored to meet the needs of Island youth with a
primary focus on active living and the pursuit of excellence. Other topics that
will be presented are goal setting, and the value of hard work and perseverance.
Sport itself can teach people important life skills and lessons, and the topics
addressed can be applied to nearly anything: music, work, school, and much
more. I will be conveying my message through explanations, stories and specific
examples in addition to a Powerpoint presentation on my experience in Athens at
the Olympic Games.
I will be presenting to students at each of the following school between October
11-18th:
- Athena Consolidated
- Belfast Consolidated
- Birchwood Junior High School
- Cardigan Consolidated
- Donagh Regional
- Eastern Kings Consolidated
- École Évangéline
- Englewood School
- Georgetown Elementary
- Gulf Shore School
- Immanuel Christian School
- Montague Intermediate
- Mount Stewart Consolidated
- Somerset Elementary
- St. Peters Consolidated
I'm really looking forward to sharing my message with Islanders next week
including giving my first presentation at a francophone school on PEI.
For those of you who don't attend any of the intermediate schools I'm visiting,
but who would still like to see the power point presentation of my Olympic
Games experience or simply say hello, please come by Southport Home Hardware on
Saturday, October 15th where I will be displaying Olympic Games memorabilia and
signing autographs. APM group has been a committed sponsor for a number of
years and I'm happy to be able to do something to promote one of their stores.
Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
Kara
September 24th, 2005
Season wrap up and Looking ahead to 2006
The 2005 competitive season had its moments of glory (wining the fence in Bath!)
but I have to say I'm glad to see the end of the season, and I'm thankful to
having some time to myself to reflect on my training and competitions over the
past 10 months. While it has been fantastic being able to work this year and
gain valuable job experience doing something I love (working with athletes and
planning events for the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic), I'm really looking
forward to having more time to train and compete next year. I learned a lot of
things this year about what works and what doesn't. Swimming is still a hurdle
that needs to be overcome, but I have a great coach and am looking forward to
trying a slightly different approach this year with a bigger focus on weight
training and technical work over the next couple of months. I'm also excited to
have more time to focus on fencing.
This coming year will be an interesting one as I make some major changes from
the last two years. It's planning time now and while I'm still waiting for the
2006 Modern Pentathlon International Competition schedule to be released I
expect to start competing internationally in February of 2006 and do several
projects through until July. It's expected that at that time there will be a
short break in the season and another training period. This oddity is a result
of World Championships being held in Guatemala in November of 2006. This is a
significant change from the usual early August Worlds, but should work well for
me. My contract with the centre finishes at Christmas so until then I will
continue with some base training, technical work in swimming and fencing as
well as weight training which I'm hoping will give me a needed boost in the
pool.
Stay tuned for fall highlights including my 2005 PEI School Tour, fencing
tournaments and more!
August 21, 2005
Canadian National Modern Pentathlon Championships - Guelph, Ont
This was been an interesting year but I have to say I'm glad to see the end of the season, and looking forward to having some time to myself to reflect on my training and competitions over the past 6 months. My competition yesterday was similar to my season in general - not bad but nothing special and a little bit below the level I was expecting in everything. This was not enough this year and for the first time in seven years I lost my national title because I didn't step up on the day.
This is good news for Canadian Modern Pentathlon in that there are youngsters moving up the ranks and pushing from behind and quite frankly perhaps good news for me as it may be just the push I need to bring it together as I look ahead to the next Olympic Games.
In a brief summary of the day's activities: Shooting was 175, Fencing 6 defeats (slow start, all in the first half) 21 victories, and swimming much too slow, but the unfortunate reality of my abilities at the moment. I also made a small but costly error in the riding
but was able to catch my Olympic teammate Monica Pinette in the final 200m with an excellent effort on the run course to finish 2nd Canadian behind Elena Bales.
The fall is nearly upon us and as usual I look forward to a few weeks or rest and cross training before I start back into the serious pentathlon training. Thanks again to all those who continue to follow my athletic career and encourage my quest for success.
August 11, 2005
Modern Championship Team Relay - Warsaw, Poland
The Team Relay on Tuesday was an exciting event as countries from around the world vied for the position of the best Modern Pentathlon Team in the World. Our team which included my Olympic teammate Monica Pinette, top Canadian Junior Elena Bales and myself, finished 10th. We had a fairly solid all round performance, but were not able to take advantage of the opportunity to step up in the technical events. We finished 4th in shooting but actually could have gained quite a few more points with attainable improvements. The fencing was not spectacular and swimming was as expected (less spectacular - the physical events are more predictable than the technical one). Riding was very good, although this discipline did not have much variance between teams at this event.
I rode a fantastic, huge stallion who made all the jumps feel effortless. I would definitely love to draw a horse like him again. The team ran even better than expected and we overtook China in the first 500m and never looked back. While we had hoped to finish higher up in the rankings it was still a very enjoyable and valuable experience. Winning a World Championship Relay medal for Canada is a very real possibility for this team I look forward to our next opportunity to compete in a relay.
Now it's back to Canada and back to work for a few days before heading to Guelph for the Canadian National Modern Pentathlon Championships which will take place Saturday, August 20th. The competition promises to be one of the most exciting ones in years as the Senior women's division has become increasingly competitive. I am of course planning to take home my 6th National Senior Women's title regardless.
August 8, 2005
Modern Pentathlon Senior World Championships - Warsaw, Poland
Greetings from Warsaw, Poland site of the 2005 Modern Pentathlon Senior World Championships. I competed in the women's individual semi-final on Friday where I
had a consistent shoot, a terrible fence, a poor swim and a fantastic run.
Unfortunately everything did not balance out in my favour at the end of the day
and I did not advance to the final.
This has been an experimental year for me as I tried some different approaches to my training as well as mixing in a full time job which made things more difficult. That being said, I fully expected to fence much better than I did and should still have been in a position to make the final. On the bright side, if there is any year to have a poor showing at
worlds it is post Olympic year and I certainly don't have to worry about the
effect it may have on my funding which you may remmeber from my last email is
currently at the zero mark.
There is some good news as I recently got word that I have been selected as one of twenty deserving athletes accross the country to receive an Investor's group bursary. This was unexpected and very, very helpful in light of the recent funding developments.
I am fortunate to have a strong community backing on the Island which was just
confirmed with the success of my Swing to Beijing golf tournament. I also have
the honour to work with many great coaches so there is still lots of hope and I
am eager to get back to training and build on my past experiences and triumphs.
Tomorrow I will be competing in the Team Relay here at the World Championships
where I hope to have some better performances and gain valuable experience with
a new team. I have a very good feeling about this team composed of my Olympic
teammate Monica Pinette, Elena Bales who recently placed 10th at the Junior
World Championships and myself. We will be a medal contender in as little as two
years.
My final pentathlon competition in 2005 will be the Canadian Nationals
Championships which will take place in Guelph, Ontario on Saturday Aug 20.
Thanks for your encouragement!
July 28, 2005
You win some, you lose some
July has been a very eventful month for me as it marked the birthdate of my very successful First Annual Swing to Beijing Golf Tournament. I cannot thank my family, friends and supporters enough. Over 100 golfers took part in this fun filled day of sunshine and many, many door prizes on July 18, 2005. Check out tournaments sponsors, photos and results in Events.
I knew the Swing to Beijing would be an important addition to my training and fundraising efforts, but I found out last week that it will now play an even greater role in my future success than originally planned. The Canadian Olympic Committee has allotted the Canadian Modern Pentathlon Federation a VERY minimal amount of money to run our programs leading up to the Beijing Olympic Games. This was a huge disappointment as we had all hoped that with vast improvements our athletes have shown in the past couple of years, including the presence and performances of two women (including myself) at the Olympic Games in Athens, the Federation would be allocated a sufficient budget to hire a full time coach and partially fund our national team athletes. This will not be the case.
The good news is that I'm one of those people who thrive on challenge and make their own way in life. I have had some great results in the past, primarily due to a lot of hard work, a stubbornness that prevents me from quitting when times are tough and a quest for excellence that refuses to be put aside. This is not a dead end, merely another bump in the road.
Over the past months of working with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic and preparing for my golf tournament I have also been very busy doing what I do best - training for modern pentathlon. Now only a few short weeks after The Swing to Beijing I will be heading to Warsaw, Poland for the 2005 Modern Pentathlon World Championships where I will compete in the Individual Semi-Final on August 5, the Individual Final on August 7th (assuming things go well!!) and in the Team Relay on August 9th. For those of you who are interested in following my progress on the day, you can get real time results at www.pentathlon.org.
Here I come world!
"Swing to Beijing" Kara Grant Golf Tournament a huge success!
Clear blue skies and gentle breezes greeted over one hundred golfers at Dundarave Golf Course in Roseneath on Monday for the inaugural Swing to Beijing - Kara Grant Golf Tournament, a fundraising golf tournament for Prince Edward Island's world class modern pentathlete.
Division winners:
- Open division - The Holland College team of Paul Murnaghan, Blair MacPhail, Wyatt Inman and Albert Roche
- The ladies division - Kelly MacDonald, Lorraine MacDonald, Lynn Kirsch and Marian Grant
- The mixed division - Ken Power, Grant MacLeod, Danny Grant and Charlotte Poole
The awards luncheon was held in the Rodds Dundarave Room, where Dave Connolly emcee'd the prize presentations and tournament auction, which included an autographed Brad Richards Tampa Bay hockey jersey.
With great appreciation, I would like to express my thanks to the chairman of the host committee, Phil O'Neill, and my parents Danny and Marian Grant, whose invaluable help made this event a reality. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of my family, friends and sponsors who support me in my quest for excellence in the sport of modern pentathlon. Competing in the Olympic Games in Athens was only made possible through your generous support. I sincerely appreciate your continued involvement in my quest for Olympic Gold as I prepare for Beijing in 2008. For those who have joined the Team more recently - thank you and welcome adventure!
June 10, 2005
Victory on fencing piste during Bath Cup in England
Beautiful historic Bath, England was the stage for my most recent pentathlon competition and most memorable fencing experience of the year. I had a fantastic performance on the fencing piste with 20 victories and only 6 defeats for a pentathlon fencing score of 1072 points- a great score any day of the week and a winning score on Sunday, June 5th. I was relaxed and ready and all the training and hard work of the past 8 years came together in effortless fluidity!!
Overall I finished 14th in the Bath Cup as I had some ups and downs throughout the rest of the day. Shooting was solid, if not spectacular. I had hoped to score 180 or above so I was a little disappointed with 177, the result of a slight loss of focus. Swimming remains a frustration, but the good news is that I was able to re-evaluate with my coaches and come up with some possible changes and improvements for my swimming program. Riding wasn't at its usual strong level, but with a tune up I'll be ready for the next event. I finished the day with a strong run which was an improvement from my last competition in Paris three weeks previously.
This event was a great chance for me to do a full pentathlon competition in a relaxed setting and to apply a few lessons learned in Paris, while continuing to evaluate my preparation and to take stock of my physical and technical status. Despite the busy living, working, and training situation that I have had this year, I'm making progress and learning some valuable lessons along the way. I fully intend to be in top form for the World Championships in Warsaw, Poland August 3-9.
May 25, 2005
Paris World Cup
The 2005 World Cup circuit had its 3rd women's event in Paris May 13-15, 2005. After a long winter of work and training I headed to Paris to see how the winter had honed my skills. There is a difference in my mental state this year as compared to last year. It's only now that I can really see how much the pressure of qualifying and competing in the Olympic Games affected everything I did last year. I'm so much more relaxed now! The experience was a great growing one and I feel much stronger knowing this.
This was a very competitive world cup, in both the quality and the number of competitors. I competed in the semi-final on Friday the 13th and began with an average and unspectacular shooting result. The fencing also had some very good moments and I was especially pleased with my swimming result, which was not a best time, but solid considering my abilities and the fact that I had just flown to Europe the day before. I put a fantastic effort in and swam a good time. Unfortunately this combination of average results was not enough to put me in a sufficient position to make the final.
I started the last semi-final event, the run, in 21st place and needed to finish in the top 16 in order to advance to the final 2 days later. I ran very, very hard and it was a struggle the entire way. I had been quite sick two weeks earlier and it was my running that suffered the most as I was unable to continue my interval training. I was nonetheless very happy with my effort as it took supreme concentration and willpower to hold off a couple of my competitors. My result in Paris was important as a bench mark as can re-evaluate in 3 weeks after I compete in England and plan accordingly as to how to make the best of the remaining time until the World Championships in August. The reality of the current level of international competition is that average is not enough. No problem - I don't intend to be average for long!!
A Message from Kara:
The Swing to Beijing Golf Tournament is a new fundraiser that I will be doing for the first time in 2005. I hope to be able to use it as my core fundraiser over the next four years so as to provide some measure of financial stability leading up to the next Olympic Games. In order to compete with the best in the world I need to attend key competitions and training camps each year. Funds raised at this event will go towards my International competition travel and training camp expenses. This will help make my dream a reality by allowing me to follow an ideal preparation for the next Olympic Games in Beijing.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my family, friends and sponsors who have supported me in my quest for excellence in the sport of modern pentathlon. Competing in the Olympic Games in Athens was only made possible through your generous support. I sincerely appreciate your involvement and I hope you will continue to take part in my quest for Olympic Gold.
Kara
May 5, 2005
Spring Update and Swing to Beijing
Spring has reached Fredericton at last and I've been extremely busy with training, work and "Swing to Beijing" preparations. The last month has been draining and I finally succumbed to a bad cold last week. The good news is that I'm quite happy with the results of my efforts and I'm nearly recovered - just in time to do a few last minute preparations and get on a plane to France next Wednesday. I will be competing in a World Cup in Paris May 13-15. I'm really looking forward to meeting face to face with my head coach Philipp for the first time since our Christmas training camp.
My plans for the future and efforts in sport of late are well summarized in the press release below that Nick Murray from Sport PEI put together. If you are interested in taking part or in sponsoring my "Swing to Beijing" Golf Tournament please don't hesitate to get in touch. Also any assistance you can provide in spreading the word to others who may be interested would be greatly appreciated. I'm convinced this will be a great day and its success will be further enhanced by any support you can provide.
Stay tuned for results from Paris!
Grant getting set to Swing to Beijing
Stratford's Kara Grant is looking to make a return to the Olympics in 2008, and on July 18 she kicks off her preparations with a golf fund raiser, cleverly titled "Swing To Beijing."
The world class modern pentathlete, who is training and living in Fredericton, New Brunswick, was back on the Island recently to attend the Sport P.E.I Awards Banquet, but it also gave her an opportunity to start putting the details in place for what she hopes will be an annual event - a golf day at Dundarave, the proceeds from which will help in her spiraling training and competition costs, which will be vital if she is to challenge for a medal in three and a half years time.
"Although I am in a rebuilding year after the thrill of Athens, I will be using the time to start preparing for the World Championships and the next Olympics," said Grant. "There has been so much happening over the past few years that it is time to sit down and put together a real plan which will help me achieve all my objectives, the biggest one of all being a medal at the next Olympic Games. I will be working really hard on improving my weaker events, particularly swimming, and in the two years prior to Beijing I want to focus all my energy on full-time training. Athens was only the beginning - by the time Beijing comes around I want to be at the very top of my game and considered a good bet for a medal, at the very least."
For Grant, who has recently taken a position at the Canadian Sports Centre Atlantic as the Athlete Services Manager for New Brunswick, part of her preparations involve a financial plan that will allow her to train and compete without the stresses of knowing where the next dollars are coming from. She hopes that the golf event will be a kick-start in that direction.
"We are very excited about it, and I think we can put on a first class event. The folks at Dundarave and Golf Links P.E.I. have been very supportive, and the tournament organizer Phil O'Neill and a small committee have been working hard getting the event together. A number of teams haveĘregistered already, which is a positive sign for a new event. I think anybody who takes part, either as a sponsor, orĘon one of the teams, will have a really enjoyable day."
Details on the golf event, including sponsorship opportunities, can be obtained from Phil O'Neill at 894-3024, or by visiting Grant's website at www.karagrant.net. Next on Grant's competition schedule is the World Cup event in France, May 12-15, while other season highlights include the World Championships in Poland, August 3-9, as well as the Canadian Championships August 19-21, where she will be looking to once again defend her national title.
April 25, 2005
Sport PEI Awards Banquet and
"Swing to Beijing"
On Wednesday April 20, 2005 I enjoyed a wonderful evening at the 31st Annual Sport PEI Awards Banquet where I was once again blown away by all the great athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters of amateur sport on Prince Edward Island. There were many deserving nominations and I extend a big congratulation to all the nominees for their achievements in the past year. I was also flattered to be recognized along with Contessa Scott and Frank McIntyre for our efforts in Athens at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I've come a long way in sport and in life since my first attendance of this gala evening 10 years ago and it is with great pleasure that I see that I am in good company.
Next Saturday I'll be taking part in the New Brunswick Provincial Fencing Championships in Fredericton as well as checking out some Dragon Boating in Saint John on Sunday. The next few weeks will be action packed as I prepare for my next World Cup Pentathlon which will take place in Paris, France, May 13-15.
As well as work, training and competitions I am also very involved in preparations for the First Annual "Swing to Beijing" Kara Grant Golf Tournament which will be held at Dundarave Golf Course in Brudenell, PEI on Monday, July 18, 2005. This will be my core fundraising event leading up to the next Olympic Games. An official Press Release will be coming out in the next few days.
Time for a run, take care and until next time.
March 26, 2005 - On Track
I am not only on track for the 2005 season, but was also on the track Saturday at the Atlantic Indoor Track Championships which took place at Base Gagetown in Oromocto, NB. I ran the 3000m in a time of 10:29.73 and in the process took 21 seconds off my January time and won the event.
This is a very comfortable level of running fitness for me to be at as I know with a few more speed workouts I can easily take off another 10 seconds which is a very competitive level, while still keeping my focus on swimming training. It sets my mind at ease having the confirmation that I am indeed running fit. I have a swim meet scheduled for next weekend in Dartmouth (NS Masters provincials) where I'm hoping to confirm some progress in the swim as well.
Stay tuned...
March 14, 2005
Modern Pentathlon World Cup Acapulco, Mexico
Kara Grant was the lone Canadian competitor at this first stop on the 2005 modern pentathlon world cup circuit where she finished 22nd. "I had a decent shoot and fence" says Grant, "but there were no exceptionally good events, and unfortunately the luck of the draw was not with me in the ride. I will be very happy once my swim gets to a level that will allow me to be the first person to ride". Two athletes share a horse in the pentathlon and Kara has had several unfortunate experiences in the past year where she has had to ride a horse that had a very poor first round ride.
This is a rebuilding year for Kara as she will be working on swimming, her weakest event, and competing with a reduced schedule as she puts more time in the pool and developing a financial plan that will allow her to train and compete to her maximum potential over the next four years.
The focus of Kara's fundraising efforts is now directed at her First Annual Swing to Beijing Olympic Quest Golf Tournament which will be held July 18, 2005 at Dundarave Golf Course on PEI.
All this is keeping her very busy, but Kara remains positive and focused as she looks ahead to her ultimate goal of competing and winning a medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
February 4th, 2005
Kara Grant wins Gold at 2005 Canadian Pentathlon Winter Nationals
Sydney, BC was host to this prestigious event on January, 28, 2005 as athletes from all across the country gathered for the first pentathlon competition of the year. Those of us from the east were particularly glad to take advantage of the temperate climate. My first morning involved a run along the Sydney harbour as the sun rose. It was a fantastic way to start a very busy, but productive weekend.
I got the competition season off to a very solid start with respectable scores in all events, thus allowing me to keep my title for the 5th consecutive year. I was particularly pleased with my swim result as I've been working really hard on this event. I'm very confident that I will be swimming many best times this year.
The competition was only one aspect of the weekend as the Annual General Meeting for the Canadian Modern Pentathlon Association also took place, as well as a two day training camp with a shooting and fencing focus. As the Senior Women's Athlete Representative I sat on the Executive and represented the athletes concerns. This was a very important meeting as policy was set for the next quadrennial. While things are looking up for Canadian modern pentathlon we are still waiting for the COC review process which will determine our funding allocation for the next 4 years. Having had two women at the Olympics and having far surpassed our last projections we are hopeful that the outcome of the March Review will be positive.
I went home tired, but happy and am now looking ahead to the season to come which will include several major events. The first world cup of the year will be held in from March 10-13 in Mexico. Traditionally I have competed well in Mexico and I am really looking forward to a few days in a warmer climate where I will get a change to test my skills in my first international competition of the new quadrennial.
January 26th , 2005
What's next for Kara Grant?
I've spent quite a bit of time over the past few months deciding how I would fill my time over the next 4 years. It has always been clear to me that Athens was only the beginning and that I would continue training for the next Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, and that I would like to train full time the last two years before the Games. The other details were unclear until the fall when the position of Athlete services manager for the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic opened up in Fredericton, New Brunswick for 2005.
My love of sport, my desire to contribute to Atlantic High Performance sport and my personal experiences in pentathlon made this an ideal position for me, particularly as it is a 1 year contract from January 2005 to January 2006; perfect timing for me to add a new dimension to my life and focus on my weak event with my new swim coach in Fredericton. It would also allow me to finally start living on my own at 26 years of age!!
Like all life changing decisions there were some major consequences involved as I would have to relocate from the great training environment I had settled into in Quebec City. Life is for living and not without risk so I took the plunge - I accepted the position and packed my bags. I started my new job on January 4th, 2005 and have since been very, very busy woman. There are many challenges involved now that I spend 36 hours a week at work, but I'm very fortunate in my position as it not only allowed, but expected that I will continue my training and competing. I have a flexible schedule that allows for my training. The first several weeks were especially challenging as my body adapted to both this new schedule and increased training demands of the pre-competition season.
The good news is that I'm enjoying the added challenge and I'm swimming better than ever!! I'm also competing in fencing and finished 37th at a North American Cup fencing tournament in Kansas on January 15th. This weekend I will be attending the CAMPA AGM in my position of athlete representative for senior women and competing in the 2005 Canadian Winter National Pentathlon competition on January 28th.
Stay tuned for results!!
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