Pique Magazine, published 07.01.04

Okay, I’m back! First of all I am sorry for the delay in articles but sometimes it can be very, very difficult to find a connection to the Internet. Not all of the hotels in the small ski areas are equipped with what you call “up to date” phone systems.

Since my last article the holiday season has passed and a new year has begun. My holidays went something like this: my days off were in Switzerland, where I caught up on some sleep, Christmas day was in the car driving to Austria for our races in Lienz, and New Years day was in the car traveling to Italy where we had training before the races in Megeve, France. Things have been busy, as they always are at this time of year.

I was able, however to enjoy my time in Switzerland and got up for some free skiing on my fun skis on the 24th of Dec. I spent a couple of days about an hour from Lausanne up in the Alps. I don’t know if any of you know Gstaad but I was in a town just near there. Gstaad is a very interesting place; it is very similar to St. Moritz, very posh and ritzy. I took some good pictures of ladies in their furs with their dogs in tow looking very prim and proper.

So, what has been going on, fun and excitement, hmm. Well i’ll be honest; things have been tough on the road for me recently, and for everyone on the team. We are learning to be patient as we continue to work hard together to reach our goals and results. I have being going through periods of frustration because of my struggle for results on the World Cup, and it hasn’t been easy. I have a little message that I would like to share. It came from a friend a couple of days ago over text messaging and it went something like this, “ Remember the most meaningful triumphs are through struggles-learn and accept the process. It should not be easy cause then anyone would do it”. It takes hard work and constant focus and I know that’s what I’ve got. And along with that I have great support from my staff. Soon I am heading home for a week of rest and recovery but still have a few more races at the end of this week in Germany. I am definitely looking forward to getting home for some good skiing; someone (mom) has been rubbing it in my face every time I call home about the endless powder skiing!

In other news a brother of mine has been kickin some butt in the recent NorAm slalom races. Michael won the first race and finished in second in the following day’s race. Both days he got points results which moved his world ranking up considerably in slalom and he will now fly to Europe and race in the next World Cup which is being held in Chamonix, France. Racing with him will be Thomas Grandi, JP Roy and Julien Cousineau. In the women’s NorAm races being held in Quebec City our development team has also been challenging the podium. Brigitte Acton won a slalom race and her teammate Anna Goodman was in the lead by .80 after the first run in the giant slalom race and was leading the second run when she went out of the course just short of the finish.

The women’s speed team is now in Veysonnaz, Switzerland for the upcoming downhill and super g races. I was able to pass a couple of days with them in Megeve-the technical and speed teams don’t always run into each other very often during the season. They are doing well and seem confident going into the next races. They have a big month of racing coming up: every weekend for the next month they will be racing!

I will be in touch and talk to you in a couple weeks, enjoy the snow and welcome the New Year, it’s 2004!

Britt