The new training season is off and running, so to speak, and I figured it was as good a time as any to post a winter recap. I've put off writing because the task of summarizing my winter, including a month-long around-the-world racing adventure, has felt quite daunting. Therefore, I’ll be brief and include lots of pictures because that’s all anyone really wants to see, right?
It was a busy, snow-filled, whirlwind of a winter. The first half of my season was spent traveling the US and Canada racing the SuperTour circuit which is always a fun experience.
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Catching up with friend and
former-teammie, Heather, in
West Yellowstone! |
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Sprint-day Suburban lounging with Ben and
his Hammer products |
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Silverstar sprinting
(photo: Jim Fredericks) |
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Racing at home in Craftsbury
(photo: Kris Dobie) |
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In addition to racing, I got to catch up with some
friends/Bowdoin-skier alumni at
Nationals in Anchorage |
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My friend and former-coworker,
Niccole, came out to cheer! |
Following January’s US Nationals in Anchorage, AK I was named to the US Olympic Team. I was very excited to go PyeongChang as a member of the cross-country team even though I knew my chance of getting a race start slim. And while I did not end up racing the 30k, I still had a memorable experience and thoroughly enjoyed cheering on my teammates. I was in PyeongChang for less than a week and while I struggled with jet-lag in the beginning, I did get out and experience the games and some of the local landscape while still recovering and preparing for my possible start. I was struck by the seemingly endless enthusiasm and helpfulness of the Korean staff members and volunteers working the games. I was greeted with a smile everywhere I went which never failed to brighten my day. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have gone to Korea and for everyone who helped me get there. The outpouring of supportive messages I received when I was named to the team was touching and something I will never forget.
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Sunrise in Seoul. Are there two suns?!
Or am I just jet-lagged... |
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| The very tall buildings of the Olympic Village |
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| Previewing the cross-country courses in PyeongChang |
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| Greeted by lots of flags at our village entrance |
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A rare foggy moment. It was sunny nearly the entire time
I was in Korea! |
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Watching some curling during my bus ride to the
coastal village |
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I could also watch the curling match in the bus window
thanks to the reflection! The surrounding landscape reminded
me a little bit of Vermont with rolling, snowy,
tree-covered hills. |
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| Made it to the coast and found a wooden skull! |
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There was also a metal skull if you weren't into
the wooden one |
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I enjoyed wandering along the beach near
the coastal village on my morning off
checking out the various artistic sculptures |
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| Squid for sale! |
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| and some small fishies |
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| and a few stingrays |
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There were a lot of bike rental shops mixed in between
the fish shops |
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| Watching the women's 30k |
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So many lights and colors and people and music at the
Closing Ceremony! |
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The whole Craftsbury crew in one spot
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| Hi Suz!! |
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My cousin Jill came all the way
to Korea and it was so nice to
have her there |
I arrived in Korea a week into the games because I chose to stay in the US to continue racing the Super Tour circuit to try and qualify for the final World Cup races of the season. These races included seven Scandinavian World Cup starts and they ended up being my first opportunity to race in Europe! I traveled with the US Ski Team to Lahti (Finland), Oslo (Norway), and Falun (Sweden) and got a good taste of European World Cup racing. The icing on the cake was getting to compete in the famed Holmenkollen in Oslo. Despite the fact that I was recovering from a cold, it might still be the most fun race I’ve done. In what other race do you have strangers chanting your name as you climb the same hill three times in second-to-last place! Plus there was an awesome contingent of Bowdoin skiers and my best friend from home out on course so I even had a personal cheering squad!
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Racing in Finland!
(photo: Toko/NordicFocus) |
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| The Holmenkollen ski jump |
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| The jumping stadium |
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| The cross-country stadium |
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| Small school children out for a ski |
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| Some rather unique Norwegian architecture |
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And of course no trip to Norway would
be complete without some yarn shopping... |
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| And then it was onto sunny Sweden! |
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| Downtown Falun |
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Drooling over the large ribbon collection I found at a
small shop in town during an afternoon walk |
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| And some beautiful fabric |
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Despite my already bursting duffle, I couldn't
help but get a half meter of fabric to make
some napkins |
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Racing in Falun alongside Canada's Dahria Beatty. Despite a
long time on the road, I felt my best in Falun which was an
encouraging way to end my time in Europe.
(photo: Mathias Eriksson) |
The SuperTour circuit wrapped up in Craftsbury this year which made it possible for family and friends to come watch and cheer. It was a really nice way to finish out the season.
Before I sign off, I want to thank my family, friends, coaches, wax technicians, and teammates for their help and support not just this past season but through all my years of racing. I also want to thank my sponsors: the
Craftsbury Outdoor Center,
Concept 2,
Fischer,
Salomon,
OneWay,
Julbo, and
Toko. I couldn’t have done it without all of you!
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Nick, our wax tech, hard at work making speedy skis
(photo: NNF) |
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And coach Pepa who's been there for me since
my junior skier days! |
That’s all for the time being. It feels good to be back home in Vermont. Training and work are ramping back up in Craftsbury and we’re welcoming new members to the GRP team. It’s shaping up to be a good summer!
