Ladies Night

Cross-posted from the Inside Motocross and Off-Road Racer's Blog.

When Derek invited me to post on this blog (which, admittedly, I haven’t been doing as often as I should), I was curious as to why. It is, after all, a racer’s blog, and I am decidedly not a racer. I am an observer, and happy with that position. I love the thrill of competition, but lack the necessary skill to turn that love into anything more than a hobby. What I do have, or so I am told, is a way with words, good camera skills and the proper connections in the off road riding community to be considered something of an “off road specialist” (to use Jeff Morgan’s words, not my own). And it is in this capacity I choose to write to all of you in Internet Land.

For the first time in Canadian history, it looks like we will be sending our fast and fearless females to the International Six Days Enduro. This year the world’s premier enduro championship race will be held in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, November 1 to 6, 2010. In previous years our trophy team and club teams have improved, bringing home fleets of silver and bronze medals, and narrowly missing gold in 2009. In 2010, with the help and ambition of some lively lasses, it looks like we’ll have representation in the Ladies’ class as well.

With two committed riders already, Victoria Hett of British Columbia and Jillian Bolso (ne Kings) of Alberta, the team still needs a third rider to be considered a straight team. Both Hett and Kings are dedicated riders, and eager to head down south in November (and really, who wouldn’t be?) for some spectacular racing against some of the fastest ladies on two wheels. Lining up against the likes of Ludwig Puy and Maria Forrester might sound intimidating, but as Victoria Hett said “Racing and riding is my passion, and it allows me to life the life I dream of and meet the most fabulous people. ... Dirt bike people are good people.” (Yes we are.)

Of representing Canada, the newlywed Jillian Bolso said: “Representing the flag is something that I am looking forward to experiencing! I can’t wait to put on my Canada Jersey, I don't know how it is going to feel, but I imagine at the end of the week it will be pretty emotional!”

Victoria Hett was crowned the first National CEC Ladies Champion in September. After an amazing run, she competed it at all eight rounds of the championship, never once coming in second, a feat matched by fellow KTM rider and BC native, our Mister #1 Bobby Prochnau. The young woman from British Columbia points to the Malcolm Smith epic, “On Any Sunday,” as inspiration for her drive and passion in the sport; the film and epic rider had such an influence on the Hett family that younger brother, Malcolm Hett, was named after the MSR founder. Hett knows that making the run at the ISDE isn’t going to be easy, or cheap (with the average racer paying around $10,000, out of pocket, to get to the event), but is sure the event will be worth it. She is optimistic, though. The young rider had this to say about the financial side of things: “We need help... a lot of help. Sponsors are what will make it possible. ... With support from Canadians, we will make them all very proud.”

Jillian Bolso, herself a fierce western femme fatale, competed at the first four rounds of the CEC as Jillian Kings, but missed the eastern rounds. Something about getting married, or some such none sense. Now happily married, and with “Bolso” proudly across her shoulders on a new set of gear, she’s ready to get dirty in some Mexican mud and dust. The tenacious KTM rider has taken on the role of unofficial team captain, downplaying the important role she’s accepted, Bolso replied: “It’s not so much about being the best; it’s having the most time at this point.” Don’t let her modesty fool you, though, the organizational skills required, and patience needed, for this position are immense; just ask team manager Lee Fryberger.

Both ladies are looking forward to Mexico as a learning stage, the first in many ISDEs for the Lady Canucks. “This is the chance of a life time,” said Hett. “But it is also just the beginning. Mexico will mostly be a learning experience for us, but it will help prepare us for many ISDEs to come, and we will compete with the best in the world, and through experience, we will be successful.” The forcefulness of Victoria Hetts words are matched only by her drive and determination on a bike.

Aside from a third member for their team, the ladies are also looking for anyone willing to help them financially. As stated above, it is not a cheap venture to go to this event, but with the help of many dedicated sponsors, the dream of Canada’s first ever women’s ISDE team is very realistic. The fiercely national pride these women feel at the honour of being able to represent their country is a kin to the feeling our Olympic athletes will be feeling next month, and while the ISDE and off road riding in general may not garner the same level of media attention, it is no less important to those who compete. Representing your country, regardless of how small the stage, is always an honour. “One thing is for sure,” Jillian Bolso added at the end of our talk. “My Team Canada jersey is going on display on my wall when all of this is over.”

Victoaria Hett is still looking for sponsors, but would like to thank KTM Canada for all their support in the 2009 season, along with Valley Motorsports. She has confirmed VMS as a sponsor for the ISDE, and is currently talking to DMX, who offered support for the final rounds of the CEC.

Jillian Bolso would like to thank Motocandy A&E Racing/KTM, Steel MX Optics, Freestyle Watches, Infokus Designs, Troy Lee Designs, Seitzco Motorsports, her trainer, her husband Noel and all of her friends and family who have helped and supported her, and believed in her. Of the experience, Bolso said: “I look forward to comparing teh times of us who don’t race as a career to those who get to dedicate their lives to it.” The ever positive KTM rider will use her experience at her first ISDE as a way to highlight the areas she needs to work on, to improve for the possibility of Finland in 2011.

Of course, it should be said that the ladies won’t find out until the end of March who’s going to make up the inaugural squad, so there is plenty of time for any other fearless females looking to test their enduro skills against some of the best in the off-road riding world. It’s going to be tough, with lots of heartache and hard work along the way, but as Tory Hett said “Nothing worthwhile comes easy in my experience.”

Anyone interested in helping the cause, or joining the team, can contact Jillian at jjkings@hotmail.com, or can contact Marilyn at the CMA. For those of us on Facebook, (and these days, who isn't?) here is a link to the Canadian Women's Team's Facebook group. Check them out! They're gonna turn some heads in Mexico. Mark my words.