Ongoing training

The last few days on the hill have been great. Some days in the gates working on a few things I picked up that other racers were doing in the states. I have been training with the K1 kids (11-13) so the courses have been set pretty tight. It's still good practice though. We had lots of snow over the weekend so I definitely got up to the top of the mountain for a few laps. In fact, I was able to meet up and ski with Steve Hedberg and friends. Steve was the initiator for the donation splash I received at the beginning of the season. It was great to meet up, chat, and do a few laps with him and the guys!

I realize as I head over to Europe the competitor field is going to atleast double and with the goal of placing in the "teens"..I need to choose my battle..my strong race, and train to that. Logically, the one that I choose will be the majority's weakest.. which is the classic. The classic..I shivver thinking about it. 2 and a half minutes on course and a lot of skating. For training I've been doing full mountain laps with about 1 minute of skating at different spots along the mountain. This is strengthening my lungs, my legs, and getting my whole body used to pushing it for that long. The endurance alone should be able to set me seconds ahead of other racers.

Overall I feel like my skiing is getting stronger. Went for re x rays and a break is still visible within my ankle. On the other hand, my physiotherapist says things are improving a lot and getting stronger. I feel stronger in day to day things as well as skiing. Should be able to give these racers a good competitive run in Europe.

Silver Star races are coming up this weekend. A GS and jump on Saturday and Sprint on Sunday. This will be great practice before I leave.

What's next?

I'm back in Revelstoke and not stopping. Immediately back to physio, on the ski hill and making plans to rejoin the WC circuit in France and Spain. I feel like I'm still on this high where I need to keep going, keep racing, competing and getting better with every race.

With more of a training focus I am going out and training 100% and pushing what my ankle can do. I'm doing jump practice, while also pushing my skiing through all terrain. It was very interesting watching the different nations and how they skied and I'm taking ideas from them and trying to apply it to my skiing to make it easier, more effecient but most importantly faster!

I made 20th at WC in the States. With more competitors and greater competition, I'm setting my goal as top 20 in France and at the World Cup Finals in Spain.

Day 5 - Sprint

I have certainly been looking forward to the last day of racing this week. It's been a long 2 weeks, on skis, daily. Long...but SO much fun and such a fantastic experience.

Going into the Sprint today after my DNS yesterday I was super focused and motivated. Did my inspection, jump practice and 2 warm up runs. After the warm up my ankle was definitely getting sore but I had a good hour before racing. Hoped on a stationary bike for a while to keep everything warm and loose. Ran some stairs afterwards and did some ankle rolls. With the last bib again (the joys of joining the circuit half way through), when it was time for me to ski I felt prepared, ready, and I had a great run. The only penalty I had was on the jump line which I didn't even try to make. I was in 22nd after the first run.

After second inspection I started to get nervous again about my ankle, but put down a solid run moving up to 20th..which I am very pleased with.

There was lots of encouragement for me to join the circuit in France and Spain. Traveling officials, coaches, and althletes all expressed positive vibes that someone from Canada is competing again. 

Will see how the final recovery goes once I'm home. I'd like to make it out to France and Spain but I want to be 100% to compete. In the meantime I have many great training ideas and things to work on to improve my skiing!

Day 4 - Parallel

A day of hard snow, cold temps and variable weather. The day started late for the qualifying round of the Parallel Spring Classic. By parallel, I mean 2 people racing down the hill, going off the jump, and going into the rap..at the same time. They take only the top 16 men from qualifying however into the actual parallel section. During inspection I noticed my ankle hurting..a lot. Did  my boot up tighter and carried on. For the parallel, they moved the jump somewhat and there was a bit flatter of a landing and that also really hurt my ankle. After 1 more lap slipping the hard icy snow wondering about my ankle I consulted with Ty (US coach) and Fabio (CAN). I think we covered just about all of the variables and I decided to hand my bib in before my qualifying runs. I was nervous because of my ankle and it hurt and I didn't want to take chances of hurting myself, or mis representing what I could really do.

It was however a really cool event to watch. With some great skiing, skating, Rap carrnage, and the semi's and finals held under the lights, it was a really neat event. There'll be more! Will re focus on the final 2 run sprint classic tomorrow and make top 20!!

Day 3 - Sprint

More snow overnight made for a pretty soft course. By the time bib 26 (me) was in the starting gate the course had some massive ruts and valleys. Off the jump was set with a right foot turn and during inspection this worried me a bit. I am okay landing tele with my left foot forward, but because of my weak and sore ankle, there was no way I could land with left foot forward. I tried on the practice jump and even without jumping huge, it was hard. I decided I would land left forward (to make sure I didn't loose a tele stance point) and then switch immediately. Needless to say, I didn't go huge but I made the next few gates. My first run was definitely the best skiing I've done in a long time putting me into 19th place after the first run. I was very excited. Knowing that I wanted to push my skiing even further in the second run, I did but had a few poor turns throwing me off the best line and into the soft snow. I finished in 23rd overall.

Later in the evening, the international Telemark commradery had the ski jumps opened and apprx 20 athletes went out to the 40m jump. I certainly did not, but I watched. It looked like so much fun, but I did not want to stress my ankle out any more. Had a lot of fun watching. Fabio represented Canada while he went flying off the jumps. Ski Jumping..what a great way to do jump training, also, an interesting idea for summer training as well.

Parallel Sprint tomorrow. 1 run in each course to qualify then the top 16 men...I better put the really really fast wax on!!

Day 2 Classic

Day 2 started out with less nerves, I was feeling way better and I believe I had smarter tactics going into the race. Yesterday was the first time in 5 weeks that I gave a race course 100% and look how it ended up - not as well as I would have hoped. I told myself I was going to give 80% in the course, not worry about the jump line, make sure to land tele, no gate penalies and give it all I got in the skating section. Other than 1 gate penalty, it all worked out the way I planned and I had a great run moving into 21st place. Also in mind, I was the last bib number to start the race..the course was a mess.

The announcer commented on the energy and push I had in the skate section, the Norwegian and US coach commented that I was certainly in the top 3 best skaters of the day. The coolest part of the race was in the skate looking up and seeing Fabio with my pole in his hand, chasing after me, yelling the whole way, and encouraging me. I defininitely didn't feel like I was alone. Having his help and consult during inspection and throughout everything has been awesome.

I was only about 20 seconds back from first place which I feel quite good about. Knowing I can ski harder and jump further is definitely motivating. My ankle was definitely sore after the day of racing.

Wednesday morning is off and we are training on the Sprint hill in the afternoon.

Jump practice picture below. I made the line during practice - they set it further up the hill with a much slower approach requiring more of a jump.

Norway, Canada, USA, France

Opening ceremonies.

Day 1 Classic

Why did I choose my first World Cup race to be a Classic? I really enjoyed the length, the challenge, and the self committment needed to finish the race. Although I did not meet all my expectations on the race today, I was not last, and I did finish. It seemed like it took forever to get into the start gate but once I did I was calm and focused. The first few gates felt really good but then somehow I ended up sliding out right before going into the rap, continuing on and loosing all my momentum going into the skate. I felt like I had a solid jump landing and the few turns after that but again (on the same turn as previously) I slide out. Fortunately I had not missed any gates at this point...so I kept going. Heading into the flat Rap...on the SAME turn..I slid out..again, loosing all my momentum going into the long skate section. HOLY..that was a tough skate. I felt like I could barely stand up for the last 10 gates. A few penalty points from my falls, and "pick myself up" time put me almost nearly at the back.

Everytime on the ground I had the split second choice to quit or keep going. I had to keep going. There was no way I was not finishing my first WC race.

Fabio - The TD for the races (from Canada) was quite impressed with the skiing - while I was on my feet. He also said that everyone seemed to impressed that I am out skiing considering the ankle situation and happy Canada is back on the circuit.

Race tactics have changed a bit for tomorrow as well as intentions!


All the new snow being slipped aside

A look at the course from the list.

Opening Ceremonies



Something I have never seen before, something Telemark World Cup has never seen before... 7000 people out and cheering at the Opening Ceremonies. Granted, the organizers were wise to hold the opening ceremonies amongst the opening for the annual winter carnival - nevertheless, the thunderous cheer that was let out as the US Telemark Team gave me shivers.

Although it would have been nice to think, the celebratory antics were not all for the Telemark group. The annual winter carnival opening had all the athletes from the Steamboat Wintersports Club doing something up on the hill, in the dark, with lights or flares on them. Freestylers doing back flips, young racers doing a torch light, older racers skiing down with toboganns of fireworks going off behind them, and ski jumpers with flares jumping through a ring of fire. The most incredible firework show I have ever witnessed. A very cool night.

As the only Canadian competitor, carrying the flag and walking across the stage..it finally seemed to clue in to me what I was actually doing. I am skiing at World Cup, wearing the logo for Canada. Hmm...that's pretty cool! I am skiing with, and competing against some of the most amazing Telemark skiers in the world..I'm stoked!

I know, however, considering the circumstances with my ankle (which is really tired from the last few days of training) and the fact that this is my first year on the circuit, there should be a limit to how much I should expect out of myself..and THAT..is hard for me! 

In Steamboat and Positive

It's been a few days now since arriving in Steamboat and beginning my training. Getting back in gates and training hard has not only been a physical struggle but also mental. Convincing myself that I am strong enough at this point to charge down the course is tough. My ankle is certainly getting stonger everyday, after 5 runs it still gets tired and sore. I am certainly not strong enough to be skiing at the level I would like, but I said before coming down here that I do not have incredibly high expectations for myself. Perhaps it is a good thing, it will allow me to take in the full experience without having the sinking feeling of being unable to meet the unachieveable expectations I've set for myself. Nevertheless, every race I will be giving it all I got.
Training has been going well. It feels so good to be back in gates. The people I'm training with as well are absolutely fantastic! Members of the US team, 1 racers from Great Britain, and one from Denmark. Super fun and I am learning a lot from everyone. The jump...well I was worried about the jump, about the landing of the jump. Suprisingly however, it has been pretty good so far. The rap (360* berm) is what hurts the ankle the most. I'm still learning lots, skiing hard, and having lots of fun.
Last night there was a fun race as part of the Steamboat Winter Carnival. There were 4 WC competitors (including myself) that went out to race and a variety of local recreational tele skiers. Lots of fun, and a great intro to racing on the terrain.
We spent the afternoon (yes I skied from 1 - 7..I was tired) up at the big ski hill (there are 2 here) and there was about 15 cm of snow overnight so had a few soft turns. Here's a pictures looking back into town.

Travel and Arrival

As I write this I am sitting in Steamboat Springs Colorado, excited, nervous and full of energy to get on my skis. My travel was certainly an adventure. From cancelled to delayed to changed flights and arriving at the airport at 3:30 am and not getting in a bed till 2 am the next morning, it was a long, and at times stressfull day. Nevertheless, I arrived and I am excited.

There is unfortunately not a lot of snow in Steamboat itself. The big mountain seems to have pretty good snow coverage, however, the smaller mountain in town is looking pretty bare, although I'm sure it will be enough to sink gates in. It's a pretty neat town here..it almost reminds me of Fernie, the shops, the brick walls, the vibe, and the social energy. It's pretty neat and everyone I've met so far seems very nice.

After not a lot of sleep the last few days, I had a pretty nice sleep in and a relatively relaxing day. Out for a bit of a walk, catching up on emails, out for lunch..just hanging out. Will unpack my stuff later, and get set up for the day of skiing tomorrow.

Oh..and my ankle. Well it was a bit sore and puffy yesterday from the travel, walking, stairs and stress. Today it's pretty comfortable actually...that is unless I try to roll it over. I feel okay about poppin it in a ski boot tomorrow!

Will grab some pictures tomorrow while I'm out and skiing!