Here we are….The Last World Cup of the 2010 season and the last world cup of my long and rewarding career.

On the eve before my last World Cup downhill race, nothing but excitement runs through my veins.  After a challenging, stressful and exhausting Olympic experience I was quite happy to get back on the World Cup tour and finish off the season with a smile on my face.  It is all about soaking up the atmosphere and moment.  It is about the pure passion of ski racing and sport. It’s about living my dreams and acknowledging the journey.

Since the Olympic Games it has been a balance between sleep and coffee.  After a big event there is always a huge “low” I not sure if it is just all the anticipation or a combination of that and effort.  I thought that I enjoyed coffee before but know I truly live for it.  It is funny but when you are so tired you prioritize your day much differently. You don’t have time for stress which makes racing quite fun and you quickly adopt relaxation on all levels.

Crans Montana was officially our “lottery race” of the year and unfortunately I didn’t draw winning numbers on either of the days.  The course was in great condition but the wind and Mother Nature were just too much.  The track there is fairly easy but it has some good terrain and nice jumps but with the serious head wind on race day, those jumps became hops. I was happy with how I raced though and that is all that I can control.

So here I am in Garmisch, Germany which will be home to the World Championships next year.  After racing the Super-G last year here I was a little apprehensive about having such a difficult track to race at the end of the season but due to favourable conditions it is actually quite a fun and chill course.  Tomorrow is going to be a great race and a great way to end.

It is not yet time to sit back and reflect, that will come in April, but a time to live in the moment and appreciate all the opportunities that have been given to me over the years.

Dear Fernieites,

I am so proud to be from Fernie; I always have and always will.  The town and its citizens have truly embraced my dreams, goals and ambitions.  It is town who shares the value of the Olympic spirit, values the importance of sport, and has embraced my career for well over a decade.

The Olympic Games has the power to transcend culture, religion, and diversity. It has the power to unite a nation or a community.  It has the power to change lives and it has the power to bring friends, families, and people together.

The 2010 Olympics have been a dream of mine since they were first announced over 7 years ago.  A seed was planted at the time and even though many ups and downs have occurred over the years, that seed grew and grew.  Today I can say that seed became a flower.  The flower is everything that I have ever dreamed of.  It is a culmination of all the hard work, determination and passion that I put into the sport of ski racing; it represents my dream.

I would be lying if I said that I was not crushed by my “lack” of results at the Games.  I truly believed that I could have stood on that podium.  I not only wanted to stand on that podium for myself but for all the people that have supported me over the years; I have always believed that the best way to thank people is by showing them a great race.  Unfortunately that great race didn’t happen.  I was heartbroken and devastated but I can honestly say that I have no regrets.  I gave it everything I had each and every day. I just didn’t have “my” day on the day I needed to, in order to stand on that podium.

Although much disappointment and sadness came from my results, I truly believe that it was the most amazing journeys any human can take.  I was given the gift to compete for my country, in my country doing what I absolutely love to do.

After my Super-G race, I met up with my friends and family behind the stands and was absolutely amazed and speechless by the group of people who surrounded me.  All of those people have supported, loved and believed in me from near and far but never without fail. It was the best gift that the Olympics could give to me.  It was the perfect ending to one of the most challenging, exhausting and emotional experiences of my life.  It is moments like that where you realize that there is more to the day and your life than the result on the score board.

Standing in the start gate of each and every race will forever be etched in my memory.  The cheering, the support and inspiration that came from every volunteer and every spectator inspired me beyond words.  Knowing all the support coming from Fernie, inspired me to keep fighting when times were tough and results became my identity.  My friends and family reminded me of the true value of sport and the power it holds above and beyond the medals.

I have been programmed for many years that results are all that matter but thanks to the community of Fernie, you are showing me the bigger picture. I am so humbled by all the well wishes that I received. I am so proud of all the students and teachers for taking the time to embrace the Olympic spirit. I am so inspired by a town that has grown, adapted and evolved while keeping its identity and roots.   

The way that Fernie united for these Games will never be forgotten.  I watched in awe, alongside millions of Canadians, during the morning show on Canada AM the true spirit of our small town in the East Kootenays. I am so proud to be from Fernie and I want to thank you for supporting me over all these years, through thick and thin.

I would like to thank my Mom for her love, belief, support, joie de vive and her humour. I would also like to thank all of my amazing friends from Fernie and afar who have inspired me, driven me and supported me endlessly.