Pique Magazine, published 16.12.03

The Circus!

Welcome to the fun, where the action is constant and where the race schedule is ever changing. I call the World Cup the “circus” because sometimes that’s what it feels like. We move from ski area to ski area constantly. We stay just long enough for a couple runs and we put on a show for the crowd. Then in a flash each and every team is packed up and moving on, like we were never there. Here’s how our schedule has changed in just these short few weeks:

The women’s circuit was scheduled to race in Slovakia for a Slalom and in the Czech Republic for a Giant Slalom and Slalom, but because of a lack of snow in both areas the events were cancelled. The FIS organization then began to scramble to find new venues that would be able to hold the races. The men’s circuit also struggled with some race changes and in the end we have ended up in the same areas racing one after the other. When everything was finally decided the new schedule had us racing a Giant Slalom in Alta Badia, Italy and then going to Madonna di Campiglio for two Slalom races on a Tuesday and Wednesday, which followed the men’s night Slalom on the Monday.

The first make-up race held this past weekend in Alta Badia, Italy saw the woman racing on the Saturday and the men followed on the Sunday. It was really exciting because for one we got to race a classic World Cup hill, which has only be raced by the women once before, and we also got to be there to watch the men’s race. Alta Badia is a classic race on the men’s circuit, it’s one of those hills that twists and turns down the mountain, never letting up. On the Sunday we went and watched our men race and, of course the rest of the field too! As a racer it is always good to get out there and watch the top level in your sport, so much can be learned from just taking the time to watch! Whether it’s live or on TV, or from a taped video, there is so much to be seen. I for one like to watch the intensity in the skiing of the other racers. Also when watching a race live you can see who runs the fastest line or who handles the tough sections the best and then carries their speed the best. By watching the other racers, I can take what I have seen and learned and use it to help me with my own skiing. A great example comes from today. We raced Slalom here in Madonna di Campiglio and I unfortunately, along with Allison and Emily, did not ski fast enough to qualify for the second run. I was of course disappointed, but there was no sense in taking that disappointment and worrying over it. Instead, myself, Ally and Emily went out and trained some more slalom gates and then returned to watched the second run from the finish area. It gave us another chance to see the speed in the hill. I also took the chance to watch the men’s night slalom the day before, well the first run at 3:00pm. The men are of course stronger and it is good to watch their powerful skiing. Tomorrow we race again on the same hill, and I am thankful that I took the time to watch and learn more about the hill from the fast skiing in today’s race.

Since I have been in Europe with the team, we have stayed in five different hotels and have skied at five different areas! I also only left home a week and a half ago! First stop was Davos, Switzerland for two days of training with the Finnish team and the Spanish team. A beautiful ski resort in the Swiss Alps, definitely one of my favorites and the training was great too. We then traveled across the border to Italy, the land of al dante pasta, delicious “vino” and the beautiful Dolomites. I have been in Italy since: two days in Alta Badia, three days in Madonna di Campiglio and a whole four days in Passo Tonale. Oh and I forgot about a one night stay in a small Italian town before Alta Badia! You see, the fun never stops… well maybe the constant unpacking and packing isn’t always fun but it is always neat to see a new area.

We will have a few days off just before Christmas to enjoy the holidays and then it’s back to work for some races in Lienz, Austria on the 27th and 28th of December. I will be spending Christmas in Switzerland, so to everyone at home, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. From what I hear the snow is falling at home and Christmas will be white. Hmm, maybe you could send a little of the white fluffy stuff over to this part of the world!