We wrapped up the trip with a week of speed in Aspen. The Super Gs didn’t go as I wanted with a 5th and a DNF. From SG we moved into DH on a track that I’ve done well on in the past. The training run didn’t go well at all as I missed two (!) gates on probably the turniest course I’ve ever skied, in soft snow to boot. The organizers adjusted a few panels to make it slightly less turny for the race the next day, and the snow got a little better as well. I ended up 3rd and 2nd in the two NorAm DHs, which I was pumped about. It was good to be back on the podium after a tough month in January, and awesome to see Conrad Pridy get his first NorAm win and podium!

The next day was the US National Championships DH with prize money on the line, so everyone was gunning hard for the win. Being the reigning Champion I definitely wanted the win pretty badly and was stoked when I came down and saw 1 next to my name. Elation didn’t last long though as my teammate and longtime friend Louis-Pierre “Lup” Helie came down next and took over top spot. Then a funny thing happened as Morgan Pridy came down and nipped the 3rd place by 0.03s! Can you say sweep?! Needless to say the US boys were pretty ticked, but we couldn’t have been happier. Handing over a title is never fun, but there’s no one I’d rather have take it than Louis. He’s had a rough go this season (and last) with injuries and it was cool to see him lay down a kick ass run!

Home now for a few days, then back over to Europe to ski the World Cup races in Crans Montana!

Sweep!

Handing the Cup over to Lup. Past and current Champs!

I had an amazing summer of training, both physical and on-snow. I dedicated myself to getting bigger and stronger like never before (I’ve always worked very hard on conditioning over the summer, so thats saying something). I made big strides in my technique on the hill, which led to consistency and speed like I’d never had before. I also did a lot of work on my mental approach to the sport, dealing with frustration and negativity, bad performances, etc. Everything was shaping up for a breakthrough season.

Needless to say I was pumped and ready to get the racing season started when November rolled around. Things didn’t start well in Lake Louise or Beaver Creek (fast splits, but in the end it only matters if you finish fast!). Then things never really improved or stabilized from there. This isn’t to say that I haven’t had any results, but my skiing on race day and consistency haven’t been where I want them to be.

To say that I’m disappointed with how this season has gone so far is an understatement. I know the skiing is there. I know I have the speed. I know I can do it. So why hasn’t it happened yet? Honestly, I don’t know. Everything feels like its in the right place, training continues to go well, but things are not happening on race day.

So, it’s time to buckle down, tighten up the mental screws, forget about whats happened so far, and start fresh. Get back to the basics of skiing fast and go from there. There’s still plenty of season left to turn things around, and thats exactly what I plan on doing.

The ‘inner sanctum’. We were told that almost no one gets to go in here, and many don’t even know it exists (I didn’t). Very cool with a ton of Kitz history.

Enter the Hahnnenkam

Howie and my Dad at the start

Track records proudly displayed on the start hut (click for bigger)

Red Bull athlete lounge at the top. RB knows how to do things right.

Dad and I at the start

Goons going over the Mausefalle. Yea right!

Super G start

One of the best views in the house. Exclusive Red Bull VIP stand above the sidehill

Someone built an awesome tree fort at the end of the sidehill. Pretty unique view from there.

Howie and I below the Kitzbühel logo

Stumbled upon the ‘bwin’ VIP tent during the day and became friends with the organizers of the event. Funny what doors a team jacket can open! Had a great time with these guys, thanks again!

bwin tent at night. Located just below the midway point of the track

View from my balcony a few minutes ago. Lots of schnee, not a lot of visibility.

I also just got my hands on my race helmet that will make its debut tomorrow. After talking with the fellow who paints them for me (LSDesigns.ca) we decided on tweaking the original design a tiny bit, but left it mainly the same. Threw some gold in, a couple orange streaks, and took out a graphic I didn’t like. I’m pleased with how it turned out.

Thats all for now. Hoping this weather blows through so we can race in the sun tomorrow!

I spent a nice few days at home before heading up to Mont Ste Marie with my family for Christmas. I was pretty burnt out from skiing after over a month of intense World Cup and NorAm racing, so I decided I wasn’t going to ski until at least a few days after Christmas. I had a great time lounging around and generally not doing a whole lot of anything important for a few days up there before going back down to the city for a couple days to hang out with friends. I had my now annual Christmas get together with my close friends, then went to see deadmau5 play at the new CE Centre.

I finally ended up skiing for a half day on the 29th, but the conditions combined with the fact that I only had GS skis quickly forced me back to the warmth of the chalet. Not to mention it was -22 that morning!! Yes I am now a wuss, too much time spent in warm European winters (it’s -2 right now here in Switzerland). I will however play hockey outside regardless of temperature! Got out on the rink almost every day at MSM to play with a good crew of parents and young racers, wicked times. It was really great to see everyone up at MSM. Everyone seemed in pretty good spirits even though there is a huge lack of snow on the hill!

On Christmas Eve my family attended the annual carolling held at the MSM lodge, and I was very surprised to be presented with a huge banner signed by a lot of the kids from the Club wishing me luck for the rest of the season. I was literally speechless when I took the mic to say thanks! I think pretty much all I managed to get out was just that, ‘thanks!’ So a huge thank you to all the kids and I hope it brings me some speed and luck for the rest of the year! I also had an extremely nice visit from our across the street neighbours, the Gilmour girls, Julia & Nicola. They came over the night before I left to wish me luck and give me a handmade card. It was really sweet, thanks a million girls! And sorry I don’t have the picture yet…

As I said I wasn’t quite ready to leave yet, but reality called and I flew out on New Years Eve (thanks coaches?!?!) to Europe. I’m currently in Veyssonaz, SUI, training for a few days before the Adelboden GS race on the 7th. It’s pretty warm here but we managed to get a decent, if a bit rough, session in today.

Hope every had a great holiday, and a happy (safe ;) New Year!

Snow! The most I can remember at MSM in recent memory.

Too bad not much of it was on the hill… Oh well, still looked cool covering everything else!

Got my hands on some pretty sweet shots from the past month of World Cup racing. Huge thanks to Agence Zoom and Malcolm Carmichael for the photos!

Beaver Creek DH Train © Agence Zoom

Beaver Creek SG © Agence Zoom

Beaver Creek GS © Agence Zoom

Lake Louise DH Train © Agence Zoom

Sölden GS © Agence Zoom

Lake Louise DH Training © Malmcolm Carmichael

Lake Louise SG © Malmcolm Carmichael

Lake Louise DH © Malmcolm Carmichael

Right now I’m in Tremblant to race the Super Series GS races here tomorrow and Tuesday. Its nice to be home(ish) and have a break from the super competitiveness that I’ve been around for the past month. Also great to see friends that I don’t get to see all year long!

Pano snow

Hot tub steam

Ted checking out the start

Start

Cuche gets his head into it

Papa Erik

Taking a peek

Astrid (Slovenian physio) & Julie (our physio)

Loopie checking out the brink

Semple

Lup discussing with Mr. Cuche

Jeff on the brink

Benny visualizing

Looking pretty in pink

Coolest section in skiing

Coach Johno

Erik, now focused

Rewk and Semple talking tactics

Uncle Serge wants you

If you haven’t heard yet, the GS race in Val d’Isere has been rescheduled to happen here next Tuesday. Actually all of the Val d’Isere races were moved here;

Tuesday: Men’s Giant Slalom

Wednesday: Women’s Super G

Thursday: Men’s Slalom

No complaints from this guy! Less travel for us, and even the opportunity to go home for a couple days after the race. Win win! Plus it gives the Euros a little taste of their own medicine, since we have to travel across the ocean several times a year and they don’t!

So the races in Lake Louise didn’t go at all as I had imagined. DH race was one of the worst I’ve ever had, and I blew out in the Super G. Not too bummed about the DH even though I obviously would/should/could have been faster. I haven’t trained that much DH this year but regardless I expect better from myself. SG I went a little straight into an extremely rutty gate, went out into the powder and couldn’t make it back in. A bit of bad luck, as if it had been any other day and there hadn’t been a foot of fresh outside the track I probably would have been fine. What makes it even worse is that I was 8th at the first split before blowing out. My best split ever at a World Cup. I know I have the speed to compete at this level, now its a matter of harnessing that speed on race day.

Now for the apology.. I had a little bit of a snap show near the finish of the race today.. To anyone watching at the bottom who saw it, I’m sorry. That is not how I want to be perceived as a ski racer or competitor, and is not a good example to set for younger racers. It is no excuse but it had been an incredibly frustrating week and I couldn’t hold it in any longer, and snapped.

As for now I’m moving on from this week mentally and heading over to race the NorAm GS races in Aspen. Long story short our flight was cancelled tonight and I won’t make it for the first race. Pretty unfortunate but gotta roll with the punches!