The starting line again for Kayla

Those who know Skateboard know it… She drives hard!

We have known Kayla Morin-Blanchette since her beginnings during her cycling career. Always smiling, she will fall into focus mode when starting a race course in order to perform to the fullest. Kayla's debut in Enduro racing in the "big leagues" had a flourishing and promising future. But like everyone else, the COVID-19 health crisis has disrupted plans...

We let her tell us a little more about it:

“ 2019 season – Official start in enduro

Everything was perfect. Wanting more challenges than races Enduro du Marin Wildside, I started shopping in the United States (ESC). Once again the form was there, the results too. Even without knowing it during the summer, I had accumulated points to participate in the Nations Trophy (EWS). It was a nice surprise during the month of August when I received the invitation as a reservist.

Anyway, I ended my year doing an EWS race, something I didn't really know, but it was an incredible experience.

After my first EWS I knew exactly what to work on to be able to sign up for more races like this. Being very motivated, I find a trainer and set my training goals throughout the winter.

Mars 2020 – The COVID-19 crisis is hitting us hard and of course, the racing season is falling apart. No big races, no US races… Nothing!

Believe me, I was pretty demolished. I made the decision to use that year as an exclusive training season, but it was a very discouraging season. It's hard to stay motivated not knowing what the future holds. And, even though during the winter of 2020-2021, I made the decision to train less, saying to myself: "what's the point?..." It was not an easy winter.

Summer 2021 – Same situation, too difficult and complicated to travel to the United States to do qualifying races for the EWS and there are very few Enduro races in Quebec. In short, another year to forget.

Summer 2022 – The machine restarts.
A promising summer season is shaping up for Enduro racing. Event organizers have been cautious in their agenda planning, but Enduro racing is coming back to life for this summer. My entourage is encouraging and talks to me about getting big sponsors for the coming season, but it's rather embarrassing to approach sponsors without recent and concrete results to demonstrate, or big races in sight.

Am I still fit compared to other girls?
Am I still at the same stage as when I left everything in 2019?
Do I still have the skills?

We will find out this summer!
Races in sight:

• ESC sugarloaf 
• Marin Wildside Mont-Lac-Vert
• EWS Burke
• EWS Sugarloaf

I'm a little nervous, but like during my races, I perform better when I have this little nervousness.
To be continued."

Hey Kayla! We wish you a good racing season. Sometimes a forced break allows us to better re-align ourselves for the rest of things. We will follow your journey of the Enduro 2022 season closely!