From sunny Melbourne back to the freezer!

Three days ago I left sunny Melbourne, and arrived in the freezer of Colorado, USA. Quite a shock to the body going from 30˚C to -20˚C in less than 24 hours. None-the-less, it’s amazing to be back on snow again. The training conditions are pretty much perfect here at Copper Mountain, with hard packed man-made snow and sunny blue skies. Let’s just say thank god for snow making, because we wouldn’t be on snow for probably another few weeks without it!

Just a small recap on the past six weeks in Australia, since the end of the southern winter training season, I have been flat out with physical training and prep for the upcoming 2012/13 World Cup season.

Training has consisted of two sessions per day, six days a week, and has included mostly strength and power training in the gym, running, cycling, swimming, and sprint training on the track. I have worked incredibly hard over the past six months to put on some muscle bulk, and I’m proud to say that I have put on an addition 5kgs of muscle since May this year. A massive effort! It should make a big difference on the race course with the extra strength, power, and weight pulling me down the hill.

One week ago the National Ski Cross Team came together in Sydney for our final fitness testing camp before we left for overseas. I’m fitter and stronger than ever, and feeling ready to kick some butt on the World Cup tour.

Here in Copper Mountain, we are training GS and Super G at the official US Ski Team training venue. Three more days here, then we head to Panorama, Canada, for some more speed training; then onto Canmore, Canada for a final training block before the first World Cup in Nakiska. This is the first time Nakiska has hosted a World Cup, so I’m excited to ski a brand new track at a familiar resort.

I’ll keep you posted with showing times of the event on Euro Sport back at home in Australia, so hopefully you can catch me in action on the racecourse!

Making the most of my last Melbourne brekky and good coffee at Mart Cafe, Middle Park.

An early start to the day. 6am on snow and ready to start training.

 A decent sunrise in the Colorado mountains.

Thank god for snow making! 

 Myself, Scotty and Anton on our first ride up.