Yesterday I had a solid run in qualifications, posting the sixth fastest time amongst the ladies. A good confidence boost coming into finals! Today I was excited to race head-to-head on what has been one of the best tracks on the World Cup circuit. Telluride did a great job in building a world class course, with some of the biggest and most technical features we've seen since the Winter Olympic Games and X Games.
I had a great quarter final heat, finishing in second right behind Fanny Smith of Switzerland. In the semi finals, a couple of small mistakes and some aggressive skiing from the ladies meant that I didn't make it though to the big final. I finished second in the small final, putting me in 6th place overall. A great result for the second World Cup of the season!
The Aussies had four athletes in the finals today, so a great day for the team. Well done to teammates Scott Kneller, Anton Grimus and Jen Owens who finished 11th, 18th and 11th respectively.
Tomorrow we fly to Europe where the Aussie SX team will prepare for the next World Cup in Van Thorens, France, on Wednesday and Thursday of next week (18/19 December). No time for jet lag on this schedule!
Here are a couple of shots from today. As you can see I'm elated with the result. Hopefully there are some more good things to come this season!
Relieved with a 6th place finish from bib 24 in the qualifications yesterday.
The race with the finish right in Telluride Mountain Village (courtesy of Jeff Books).
Second in the quarter finals.
Marielle Berger (France), Fanny Smith (Switzerland), myself and Karolina Reimen (Poland) in the quarters.
Making Tommy proud.
Small finals finish; Marte H Gjefsen and Julie Jensen of Norway.
Marcos, our ski man, hard at work at the top (courtesy of Jeff Books).
Enjoying ourselves at the top of the course; Jen, Marielle, myself and Sami.
Nothing like a little head-to-head go karting before the race in Grand Junction to get us ready (courtesy of Jeff Books).
