It’s been a crazy few
of weeks here in Europe.
After the two late-December
World Cups in San Candido, Italy, we returned back to the AIS European Training
Centre in Gavirate, Italy. Here we had a week off to rest, recoup and
recondition in the gym. This facility has been an incredible asset for our team
this year. Rather than going to unfamiliar hotels in between races, we get to
come back to a place that feels like a home away from home. We can return to
the same familiar bedroom, unpack, do our laundry, cook healthy meals and use
the world-class gym and recovery facilities. It sounds pretty simple, but a lot
of these things are surprisingly difficult to find whilst on the road in
Europe.
We celebrated Christmas
day in style at the European Training Centre with a big lunch. To be honest
it’s always tough being away from home on such an important day. I’ve spent
only one Christmas at home in Australia in the past 13 years. And I’m sure
every athlete there on Christmas day was in the same boat. Being amongst fellow
Australian friends, however, was comforting. There were 25 of us in total,
including National Team athletes from cross-country, skeleton and ski cross, as
well as AIS and coaching staff.
Sunset over Lake Varese outside the AIS on Christmas afternoon.
Gavirate, Italy.
Training in Domodossola, Italy, over the Christmas period.
Refreshing to be able to cook again at the European Training Centre.
Physio sessions in the afternoons... Gotta love needles in the back of the knee!
Following our
Christmas / NY break, the lack of snow in central Europe resulted in the
cancellation of not one but three consecutive World Cups; one in Megeve,
France, and two in Bischoffsweisen, Germany. As a replacement, Val Thorens
hosted two World Cups this week. With the official closing date for Olympic
qualification period being January 20th, these were the final two
qualifying races for Ski Cross.
I finished 21st
and 26th at the races, which for me was quite disappointing. I know
that I am skiing fast and the elements are all there in training. It just
hasn’t quite come together in the races for me. My knee is back on track and
I’m feeling physically fit and strong. It’s just a matter of putting everything
together on the race run! The important thing is I am confident in myself and
my ability, despite the injury setback and average results to date this season.
A big congratulations
to my teammates Sami Kennedy Sim who finished 4th in the second
World Cup (a PB!), and Anton Grimus who qualified 1st in the first
World Cup. Two great results.
On the positive side
for me, the Olympic qualification period is now closed and I have finished with
a world ranking of 20th. It is still ‘unofficial’, but I can now
safely say that I have qualified for my second Winter Olympic Games. The
Australian Olympic Team will be officially announced within the next few days,
and will include five Australian athletes for Ski Cross… our entire team! After
years of hard work, it’s a huge relief that we have all made the Olympic team
and will have the opportunity to represent Australia at the 2014 Winter Olympic
Games in Sochi. It is also exciting to be apart of the biggest ever Australian
Winter Olympic team in history.
Nice view for the coaches up on the cliff.
The finish jump in Val Thorens. A solid 30m from takeoff to landing.
The Germans excited to hit this jump!
Val Thorens start gate. Image by GEPA
Flying high above the mountains in my qualifying run. Image by GEPA
Race 1 against Marte Hoeie Gjefsen of Norway and Ophelie David of France. Image by GEPA
Racing it out for the top two finishes. From left: Reina Umehara of Japa, Katrin Offner of Austria, myself and Danielle Sundquist of Canada. Image by GEPA
The ski room.
Anton at the bib draw.
Sami and the team after her fourth place finish.
I am now on my way to
Kreischberg, Austria, for the final World Cup event before the Olympics. Even
though it’s not an Olympic qualifier, I see it as a great opportunity to
practise race strategy, and hopefully lock down a good result before the Games.
