With less than 30 days before the opening ceremonies of the
2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, it is time to really ….. do nothing different
from before!!
I find it so funny how people really think that big changes
would happen weeks before a big event. In truth, these changes and hard work
happen months and even years in advance.
At the point I am at now, it is all about fine tuning, gaining
confidence and setting yourself up mentally and physically for the event to
come; not the time to panic or change things
I have three world cup series this month before heading back
to Canada and doing the final prep for the Olympic Games. One series took place last weekend in Haus,
Austria where it neither went how I expected or how I wanted: possibly not the
most idyllic scenario but definitely not one that is stressing me out. Maybe it
is denial but I think that every race experience I have this year is only going
to help me be a better athlete and more prepared for what is to come in
February. It could be a good thing that
I had a bad weekend. It was another little kick in the butt to really show me
what it takes to be on that podium. A
true blessing with the speed disciplines is that when you go to the next race,
it is like starting afresh; a clean slate.
The track will be totally different, the snow will be totally different
and I know that anything is possible.
The next stop on tour is Cortina, Italy, one of my favourite
stops on the circuit. Cortina is nestled
in the heart of the Dolomites, where fashion, food and scenery have given it is
notoriety. The track in Cortina is nicely suited to me and the snow is “Emily”
friendly which is how I refer to hero snow.
This year my Mom and family friend will be attending the race. I always
told her that Cortina was one of the races she needed to experience before my
career ended so finally she is making the trip.
There is truly something majestic and special about Cortina and the
mountains that surround it.
I kicked off the New Year from a memorable ski hut on
Kitzbuhel mountain called Pinkies!!!. I spent the evening with Julia Mancuso
and her family up in the truly Austrian ski hut where I enjoyed a traditional
Austrian New Year’s Eve meal, amazing fireworks and debilitating “mountain
water”. The New Year has proved to be
all that a new year is set up to be; exciting and unpredictable. I look forward to how the next couple months
unfold.
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