3rd place in the first race of the season
Scotty and I taking out the bronze in Mens and Womens
Yesterday was a great day in the office (or rather in the Rocky
Mountains…)
We competed in our first race of the season, the Canadian
Ski Cross National Championships. Being the only race before the first World
Cup next week in Nakiska, it was the perfect opportunity to put our off-season
training to practise.
Like always, the first race of the season brings mixed
emotions. I was very excited to race, yet completely nervous and anxious all at
the same time. The first race is always nerve-racking. You never really know
where you stand amongst the other competitors after 8 months since the last
World Cup, and whether or not you’ve been doing the “right thing” in the
off-season. The Aussies obviously have been doing something right…
I finished 3rd in a field of 21 girls, 16 of
which were World Cup athletes. I had some great starts in my first two rounds,
progressing me through to the big final against Marte H. Gjefson from Norway,
Fanny Smith from Switzerland and Ophelie David from France. Starting with
yellow bib in the final (the slowest qualifier of the four and therefore last
gate choice), I didn’t have the best start however managed to make a pass on
Ophelie half way down the course and jump on the podium. I was proud of my
performance today, and I hope to bring this confidence into next week’s World
Cup. The hard work I’ve put in on-snow and in the gym is paying off and I’m
really happy with how things are shaping up this season so far.
Aussie teammates also had a great day, with Scott Kneller finishing
in 3rd place in the Men’s, and Anton Grimus making the small finals
and finishing in 8th. Unfortunately Sami and Jen didn’t have their
best day, but there’s definitely more to come from those two. Thanks for the
cheers in the start gate!
A big thanks to Marcos, our genius ski technician, for making
my skis absolute rockets on race day.
The Nakiska World Cup is this coming Friday and Saturday (7th/8th
Dec). I’ll be sure to keep you posted with results and broadcast times on
Eurosport back home in Australia.
