Today I finished in 13th place, in the
Grindelwald World Cup, Switzerland.
It is the third time I have finished in lucky 13th this
season. Lets hope that things happen in three so I can break this trend and
finish in the top 10!
Yesterday was qualifications. The training day was cancelled
due to soft snow, so basically we had only two runs to figure the course out
before it was time to race. The track was extremely fast with some big jumps
and few turns…almost like a downhill. Speeds were estimated to be around the
100km/hour mark., which is very fast when you have three people racing next to
you!
I qualified in 13th position (out of a field of
30 girls), so I was happy to be well within the top half of the field. Top 16
women and top 32 men went through to finals the following day.
Unlike any other World Cup, the Swiss decided to do it in
style and use a helicopter (instead of a chairlift) to transport the athletes
to the top of the race hill during finals. The last time I rode in a chopper
was three years ago in Meiringen when I injured my knee. It was a trip from the
race hill to the hospital and all I could see was the ceiling of the
helicopter, strapped into an ackea. So as you can imagine I was pretty excited!
The helicopter ride, although short, was a lot of fun.
Flying through the Eiger and the Jungfrau, some of the most famous mountains in
the world, was spectacular. It definitely made my day!
We are now in Meiringen, Switzerland, for the next World
Cup. Again we have no training on the course due to warm snow conditions, so
tomorrow is inspection only. Training is on Saturday and finals on Sunday.
Let’s hope for another great result!
(Hitching a ride back into town with the Americans and Frenchies after training)
(Above the clouds in Grindelwald)
(The Eiger)
(Switzerland's most prestigious DJ)
(Public bib draw. Qualified 13th)
(Finals)
(Chopper rides for finalists)
(View from the helicopter)
