Last weekend was spent in Tarvisio, Italy were I almost had a taste of the podium again but unfortunately it was not to be and I had to finish the weekend with a 15^th in the DH, 12^th in the SG and 20^th in the Combined.   The conditions were great for racing and it was so nice to compete under blue skies and sunshine.   Having been on the podium in Tarvisio a couple of years ago, I had high expectations but it was not to be and I must continue to strive and fight for the top. I feel like I have my race gear back and I am excited that there are quite a few more races left in this season.

Yesterday, after almost 12 hours of travel, we arrived in Bansko, Bulgaria and our next World Cup competition.  I didn’t really have any expectations coming here but was definitely surprised by what I saw.  We flew over the most spectacular mountain range and landed on the plains that surround Sofia, the capital.  Unfortunately, it was near dusk by the time we set off in our little convoy of buses with a nice little police escort.  What I do know is that we were driving down some streets that I would never have thought a bus could make it through, drove beside random luxury car dealerships covered by decrepit buildings, and sign posts that I couldn’t even begin to pronounce.  I wish that our route had taken us through the capital as I have heard that it is beautiful. From the airport we drove around the outskirts of Sofia and then ventured into rural Bulgaria and then back into the mountains.  When we arrived in Bansko it was dark so my first impression wasn’t until this morning.

My first impression of Bansko was amazement. I didn’t expect such big and beautiful mountains and such a big resort. There are nice hotels, a lot of developments in the works and you can see that Bansko is really trying to become a world class resort. Having said that, I can imagine that what I am seeing is not the reality of most of the country and that is unfortunately that harsh reality of what I do and see most of the time.  There were a lot of people skiing and I have never seen so many volunteers and workers for a World Cup; the people here are really passionate about putting on a great race and showing the ski community what they can offer. The track is technical and challenging and I am really excited for the upcoming races.  I am sure that this is going to be an experience of a life time and I hope to make the most of it. I will bring my camera with tomorrow and take some pictures to show off Bansko.

February 14^th, 2009

The World Champs of 2009 have come and gone already!   I am now sitting in front of the computer trying to recall the last week of my life. It is so funny how such “big events” in your life loom with such anticipation but happens and then passes with the blink of an eye.

The race after the Super-G was the Super Combined which consists of one run of Downhill and one run of Slalom.  I always enjoy this event because I don’t put as much pressure on myself as I do in the downhill and super-g; I think that might be in part to not having the same expectations. My mind set entering this event was that anything can happen, and that is literally what happened!!! I was really charging the downhill and trying to build as big advantage as possible entering the Slalom. Unfortunately, this lead to another spectacular crash! The good news is that I walked away with only a bruised rib and cartilage, the bad news was I knew that a mental hurdle was forming.  This crash also confirmed that I am not a very nice daughter…..my poor mother and cousin were in the finish innocently cheering me on and they had to witness the crash; I have decided that it is easier to be the “faller” than the spectator of the faller!!!

I took the next day off in order to help prepare for the Downhill two days later. I knew that somehow my body would be able to do the race and do what I needed it to but I knew that I had a lot of work to do mentally to get ready. I have had three big crashes this year, when on average I usually have one.  Each time to you have big crash is makes it a little harder to push the line and really take the risks which you need to do in order to win.  Having said that though, walking away from three big crashes gives you confidence that you can handle anything; it confirms my strength and my body’s resistance to injury!

The planned downhill day was cancelled due to bad weather and postponed until the following day which was a blessing in disguise because it gave my body one more day to heal and my mind one more day to come up with a solid game plan.  By the time I stood in the start gate of the World Champs Downhill, I was ready to take on the world.  I had a solid run with fast sections but one crucial mistake that ended me up in 11^th place.  At the moment I felt frustration and disappointment as I knew that I could be on the podium and do a lot better but when I stepped back and looked at the big picture I knew that I should be happy with 11^th.  My sport psych, Diana McNab earned that result as much as I did because that was a race of the mind.  I realize that you are not always going to enter a race in perfect form.  You are not always going to be able to execute your game plan ideally.  Sometimes you “fake it to make it” and have to ski out of your head instead of your heart and soul.

The World Champs was record breaking and exciting for the Canadian Ski Team with John Kucera becoming the Downhill World Champion and Mike Janyk earning an unexpected but impressive bronze medal in the slalom.  The men’s team definitely held up their end of the bargain but now it is the women’s turn to get back to where we belong (on the podium) and show the rest of the world that we are ready for 2010 in Vancouver.

Originally I was supposed to stay for the team event in Val D’Isere but it was decided the night after the downhill that I would take some time instead to heal my body and get ready for the next World Cup in Tarvisio.  Initially I was a little disappointed not to be racing in the event as it is a lot fun and a different sort of race but it worked out perfectly because the team event was cancelled in the end due to bad weather and I got to spend a couple days with my Mom and Cousin in Annecy, France doing a little retail therapy and relaxing.  I have spent the last couple of days in Mals, Italy training at my coaches’ place and feel ready and rejuvenated to take on the rest of the season.  Thanks for all your love and support!

 The Worlds is a “pinnacle” point in the year for all of us. It is a time to really shine, it is time to clear the slate of past results, and it is an opportunity to shine when the World is watching. Today I competed in the Super-G race and placed 13^th.  Let’s just say it wasn’t the race of my life and it wasn’t exactly what I had had in mind but I gave it my best and 13^th was what it was worth.  Am I disappointed? Definitely. Did I expect more?  So much more, I was going for the podium. For in my career right now I need to go for the top every race.  Today’s result was a disappointment for sure but maybe in hindsight I will be able to appreciate it more.   Having dealt with sickness for the past 10 days I knew that I would have to dig deep and give it my all and when I think of what my body has been through, 13^th isn’t the end of the World!

The team, in general, had a really tough day; with me as the top Canadian, reflecting that perfectly.  It is always tough when you enter these “big” races with high expectations.  Every girl who goes out of the start gate deserves to be there and is there because she had proved herself against the world leading up to the Championships.  With every one of us shooting for the podium, you know that it is going to be a tough competition.  Today’s race was one of the most challenging and difficult SG races that I have ever done.  Yesterday I had the chance to make 3 free ski runs on the track but that was all and definitely not enough to be comfortable on the track.  Usually there are World Cups, Europa Cups held on a hill before a Championships or Olympics competition but in this case there was none.  A few athletes had a couple of training days on the track last spring but it was definitely not made readily available to all.  The race today totally reflects the challenging aspect of the Super-G discipline. The  girl who won today (Lindsey Vonn) did so because she skied better than anyone else in the World.

Today was a “character building” day as my old coach used to say.  Tomorrow is a new day and a downhill training run.  Anything can happen in the Downhill and that is the mentality I need to take going forward!  I have two training runs, then the Combined race on Friday and the Downhill on Sunday.

PS: Garmisch last weekend was not what I had in mind finishing in 25^th place; chalk that one up as a “learning experience”!