Week one in Sochi

I have now been living in the Sochi Olympic Village for one week. There's so much happening here I don't know where to start!

Our ski cross team arrived three days after the Opening Ceremony. At first I was a bit disappointed to miss the Opening Ceremony march, but given the scheduling of our event right towards the end of the Games, it didn't make sense to fly into Russia so early. Instead, I was lucky enough to catch up with my parents in Innsbruck for a couple of days before my departure to Sochi. It was great to watch a few Olympic events together, including Britt Cox's stand-out performance finishing 5th place in the women's moguls. A great start for the Aussie Olympic Team!

Arriving into Sochi was very exciting. We were greeted by a crew of Australian Olympic Committee officials to help make the trip easier from Sochi airport up to the mountain village. It took about three hours to pick up our athlete accreditation (which also doubles as our Russian Visa whilst in Sochi), take various buses, and pass through numerous security checkpoints, including scanning every bag we were taking into the village. By the time we arrived to our rooms it was well past midnight. Awaiting us on our beds was a suitcase full of Australian Olympic uniform. I remember from my first Olympics in Vancouver that this was one of the most exciting parts of the Games. It all finally settles in!

The first two days in the village was spent familiarising ourselves with the place; the layout of the athletes village, the mountain, the gym, dining hall, medical clinic etc.

The Australian Team occupies an entire 5-level apartment building. With 60 athletes on the team this year, plus coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, sports psychologists, nutritionists, admin and officials, we are a team of well over 100. The majority of the Australian athletes are located in the mountain village (freestyle skiing, snowboard, alpine, skeleton, luge, bobsleigh) however also we have short track, long track and figure skaters in the coastal village, and cross country and biathlon athletes in the endurance village.

It was great to catch up with fellow Australian teammates from different sports in those first few days. With such different training and competition schedules, it's not often we all get a chance to get together in Australia. The only exceptions are at the State Institutes training facilities, physical training camps or the occasional Olympic function; and rarely do we cross paths during the northern winter. So we had plenty to catch up on!

The weather in the first week has been incredible. Sunny blue skies, and temperatures closer to that of a summer Games than a winter. Temperatures reached as high as +12 degrees C on the mountain, and close to +20 in the village. It's the first time I have really seen the sun since I left Australia in early November last year, so I have been trying to make the most of it! Skiing in a t-shirt, working on my goggle tan, and afternoon dryland training sessions outside in the sun.

The mountain is closed to the public, so up at the peak where are no Olympic events, it is eerily quiet. I have never experienced anything quite like it, and don't think I will again. Yesterday's training session was just myself and one of the ski cross coaches skiing groomers all to ourselves; literally no-one about.

We had our first training session on the ski cross course two days ago. The course layout is similar to the World Cup race last year, just bigger in every aspect. Bigger jumps; bigger berms; bigger features. I was terrified and excited at the same time. The adrenaline rush I get from skiing this thing is huge. As soon as I had completed one run, I wanted to head straight back up for another! The feeling of pushing yourself past your comfort zone and coming out on top is addictive, and probably why I love this sport.

I have been trying to soak much of the the Olympic Games atmosphere without getting distracted from my task at hand. The most enjoyable aspect of the Games so far has been watching fellow Australian athletes compete in their events, either live in the stadium or back at the athlete lounge on TV. The vibe is incredibly positive on this team, and it is contagious. Everyone is backing eachother, and feeding of eachothers' enthusiasm and excitement. I am very lucky to be apart of it. We have had some solid results so far, with a silver and bronze medal from Torah Bright (snowboard halfpipe) and Lydia Lasilla (aerials), and multiple top 10 results Hopefully there is plenty more to come!

The Womens Ski Cross event will be shown on Channel 10 on Friday 21st February. The seeding run (individual time trial) will be at 6:45pm Melbourne time. Finals start at 8:30pm. 

http://miss-snowitall.com/2014/02/01/olympic-viewing-guide-for-aussies/

I could easily keep writing, but instead I will let my photos from the past week do most of the talking.....

Sami and I excited to finally arrive into Sochi airport.

The Australia House. Like in Vancouver, the infamous Boxing Kangaroo flies high.

Yes, a bit cliche but had to do it....

The Russian Babushka!

View from the summit....

Team spirit! Cheering on Aussie athlete Scotty James in the snowboard halfpipe from the Australian athlete lounge.

Perfect crisp groomers all to myself...

The start of the ski cross course. Looking good!

Nice solid wu-tang in the start section.

A ski cross playground!

Going to have fun on this one...

Final jump into the finish area.

Where my family will be cheering me on from!

Marcos the man at work.

Drive-through race skis. Brilliant.

Afternoon recovery sessions in the ice bath. Brrr....

Georgia and I excited to ski the track!

Cheering on Torah Bright at the womens halfpipe snowboard.

Sochi Olympic mascots. Gotta love being a tourist....

Me and my girlfriends.

The Police mean serious business in Sochi.

Some motivation from kids back home. Thanks!

Make-shift stairs.... Still a little more work to be done in Sochi.

Final races before the Games

This weekend, the Australian National Ski Cross Team joined forces with the Development Team for two Europa Cup races in Orcieres, France. It was a really enjoyable weekend of racing, and ideal training for the 'big event' in just under three weeks time.

Both mens and women's fields were very strong, with many World Cup athletes attending the races for pre-Olympic training. I finished 6th in the first race, and 5th in today's second race, winning the small final. Team mate Anton Grimus was on fire today, winning the qualification run by seven tenths of a second, and taking out the overall win in finals. Congratulations! Also well done to Becc Wyatt who had a solid 7th place finish today.

We are now on our way to the other side of Europe: Obertilliac, Austria, where they have just had two metres of snow in the past three days. It seems as if winter has come very late in Europe! Better late than never. Building of the ski cross course starts tomorrow. Hopefully we can put together something that comes close to the course in Sochi!

For those that will be glued to their TV screens in Australia during the Olympics, here is a complete viewing guide of the Aussie athletes competing...
Put your favourite Olympic events in the diary... And make sure Feb 21st is in there! (Women's Ski Cross).

http://miss-snowitall.com/2014/02/01/olympic-viewing-guide-for-aussies/

The Australian contingent (coaches and athletes) in Orcieres, France.

Anton Grimus takes the win.

Back on-track in Kreischberg

Things feel like they are finally back on-track after my 16th place World Cup result in Kreischberg, Austria, on Saturday. This was the final World Cup before the Olympic Games, so it was great to take some confidence from the race with me to Sochi.

My qualification run on Friday wasn't my finest, and I only managed 27th place. In finals however, I came out of the start gate raring to go. In my first heat, I had a great start and took the lead. I finished second in my heat and progressed through to the next round. Unfortunately in the quarter finals I didn't manage to finish in the top two, therefore I was knocked out of the next round and finished in 16th place overall.

A big congratulations to Australian Development Team member Rebecca Wyatt who qualified for her first World Cup finals, and finished 23rd. Awesome effort! And to long running team mate Jenny Owens, who competed in her 101st and final World Cup Ski Cross event.

The plan now is to head to Orcieres, France, for two Europa Cup ski cross races prior to the Games. From here on, I need to stay on my toes and in peak mental and physical condition for the Games. For me, racing head-to-head is the best type of pre-Olympic preparation I can get. 

After France, we will travel to Obertilliac, Austria, for a pre-Olympic training camp. We will be joined by the Austrian, Polish and Czech ski cross teams for our final preparations. 

Then on to Sochi!

Around the first negative turn: Myself, Marielle Berger (FRA), Alize Baron (FRA), Julie Jensen (NOR). Photo by GEPA

Fighting to stay in front. Photo by GEPA

Qualifications. Photo by GEPA

Olympic Qualification period comes to a close

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 20^th, these were the final two qualifying races for Ski Cross.

I finished 21^st and 26^th 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 4^th in the second World Cup (a PB!), and Anton Grimus who qualified 1^st 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 20^th. 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.

Pre-Christmas World Cups in San Candido

After a small setback with a tweaked knee in Canada, I had my first race starts for the season last weekend in San Candido. It was great to be back in such a familiar place. This is the fifth consecutive year San Candido has hosted the Ski Cross World Cup event. So let's just say; besides knowing the course very well, I also know where to go for the best coffee and pizza. All important things.

Europe is struggling for snow this season; the Dolomites included. The course had the bare minimum of snow, meaning that features were small. For me, this doesn't necessarily make it easier. I generally prefer bigger, more difficult courses. It separates the girls who are willing to take risks, and go hard and fast on what can be a very intimidating 90-second course. One mistake on an easier course like this and you suffer severe consequences (it generally means not qualifying!).

I finished 21st and 34th respectively. I am disappointed with my performance, however I am looking forward to proving that I can in fact definitely mix with the best in the world at the next World Cup in Megeve, France, in the new year.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Also wishing my teammate Scott Kneller a very hasty recovery from his crash last weekend. Get well soon and looking forward to having you back on the team!

Jenny Owens, Marielle Thompson, Sami Kennedy Sim and myself enjoying the warmer weather.

Qualifications

Finals Day. From left; Katya Crema, Fanny Smith (SUI), Marielle Berger (FRA) and Julie Jensen (NOR).

Third place finish in my heat in finals... A little disappointed!

Tweaked knee forces me out of the first World Cup

After two solid weeks of training in Nakiska, Canada, it was time to race. The week of the race saw an unusually extreme cold front pass through the area. Temperatures plummeted to -40 C on race day, despite it being sunny and blue skies. Quite a change from summer in Australia a couple of weeks ago!

Unfortunately for me, the first World Cup of the season didn’t quite go to plan! On the first training day, I had an awkward landing off the final jump. I didn’t crash, it was just an hard, painful landing. I felt pain rush through my heels and into my right knee. I immediately assumed the worst; I’ve re-blown my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). I had a knee reconstruction on my right knee after tearing my ACL just over four years ago now. Re-tearing the ligament at this stage in the season right before the Olympics would have been a disaster and my dreams would have been shattered. An ACL reconstruction takes you off skis for 6-12 months. You can get an idea of the anxiety and anticipation I felt in finding out the damage I’d done…

After an MRI scan in Calgary and the opinions of the Australian Olympic Winter Team sports physician and an orthopedic surgeon in Canada, the verdict was bone bruising and an irritation of an old injury. As painful as it is, bone bruising will usually heal itself with time. The timeframe depends on the severity, and fortunately mine was definitely not season-ending.

The bad news; I wouldn’t be racing the first World Cup of the season. The good news; I would be back on snow within 2-3 weeks. A huge relief!

Anton, myself and Scotty facing the cold.

Proof of cold temperatures.

Cheering my teammates on from the side lines on finals day...

After the race, the team and myself headed to Europe. Bad weather in Chicago meant our flight was cancelled after taxi-ing on the runway for over five hours. I spent the night clung to my suitcase, attempting to get at least one hours sleep on the floor at Chicago airport (definitely a first…). I then spent the next two days making my way to Milan. I think I had about 3 hours sleep in 48 hours. Let’s just say this travel experience was ‘character building.’

The team getting cosy on the floor at Chicago airport at 3am

I am now at the AIS European Training Centre in Varese, Italy, doing rehabilitation for my knee. Whilst the team is currently in Val Thorens, France, for the next World Cup, I’m getting my knee 100% before I race again (which looks like it will be the double World Cup event in San Candido just before Christmas). The knee is progressing very quickly, and I am feeling very confident on it now. I am back to full strength, and the pain has almost completely gone. The facilities here are incredible for training and rehabilitation. I have access to a physiotherapist, a brand new gym, recovery pools, and a supportive team of people who work here at the ETC… not to mention a stunning lake to ride around as apart of my training.

Lake Varese

Rowers on the lake at sunset

My cycling tour around Lake Varese. It was incredibly easy to get lost, but I made it in the end!

I wish the team the best of luck this weekend in Val Thorens, and I am looking forward to joining them next week for the races in San Candido.

Back in The Canadian Rockies

I am now back in the Canadian Rockies training for the first World Cups of the season in Nakiska.

I have been here for two weeks now, training out of Lake Louise, Norquay and Nakiska. Temperatures have been very mild in the mountains until today. The Chinook weather system is now long gone (a system of warm winds), and we are expecting temperatures as low as -30C this week for the race. Brilliant timing!

Nakiska is situated in the Kananaskis area of southwest Alberta, a couple of hours from the British Columbia border. The resort was home to the the 1988 Calgary Olympics, so has a great recent history associated with it. It is also the training base for the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. 

Its great to back to this area. Not only did we race a World Cup here last season, I have also spent plenty of time here back in my Alpine racing days. 

Interestingly, yesterday I took my Garmin GPS device up to the training hill. In a very short 2.5hr training session, I covered 32.6km on snow, hit a max speed of 94.82km/hour, and skied 4780m vertical. And that was a short day. Can't wait to clock up the results after a full day's skiing!

Training for the World Cup commences Wednesday. Unlike last year, this season we have back-to-back World Cups; one on Friday 6th December, and another on Saturday 7th December. So plenty of World Cup points up for grabs! It is also one of seven Olympic qualifying events, so the pressure is on!

Loving the new "Crema Mitt" by XTM... Perfect for freezing temps in Lake Louise.

Celebrating American Thanksgiving in style..

The Rocky Mountain Bagel Company's famous bagels. Definitely a favourite lunch spot in Canmore.

Some inspiration for the bathroom at home perhaps?

Marcos taking some time out of the ski room

Thanks Garmin for the multi-use GPS device! Not only useful for training sessions on the bike...