First races of the season!

Due to snow conditions and race quotas our race plans all changed last minute. We were originally all set to go to La Plagne, but there weren't enough race slots for the team. Then the races in Lizzola in Italy were cancelled so we ended up in Passo San Pellegrino for 2 Citizen slaloms. 

On the Wednesday morning we did a couple of hours of slalom gate training before the van was quickly packed for a 6 hour drive to Italy. 

Due to the Winter Universiade 2013 being held in Trentino just down the valley, the standard of the girls racing on the Thursday was really high. With national teams from Russia, Serbia and Czech Republic, lowest seed was on 13 FIS points. 

Unfortunately I didn't finished the first run on the Thursday, I was happy with how I attacked the top section but hip slid on the steeper pitch. 

Yesterday, I wasn't really happy with my performance. I skied solid, but too safe. I'm currently struggling with my race attitude and finding the balance between going all out and not completing or skiing safe but technically well. However, for the first race of the season with a small amount of training I think I can look at the positives. 

Back to hospital on Monday to see another therapist about my thumb which I injured again on the first run yesterday. Fingers crossed its nothing too serious and they can make me a better cast!

Now to enjoy christmas before I go back to Les Houches on the 29th!

Merry Christmas! 

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Back in Les Houches

There's not much snow in Les Houches at the moment. After arriving on Saturday we trained slalom gates on the Sunday on the bottom section of the World Cup hill. The snow was almost all artificial and we had to use the minibuses for the turn around as none of the lifts were open! Hard work but making the most of what we have. 

Monday, we went up the valley to Argentière to do some slalom free skiing, again most of the snow was artificial but it was refreshing to ski somewhere different to Les Houches. It was good just to cover the mileage on our skis and get some runs of drills in.

Today we went over to Italy to train in Courmayeur. The conditions were good enough to get out on the GS skis in the morning. I wasn't feeling particularly comfortable on them after the camp in Tignes. Now I've skied on them on hard packed snow I feel much happier.

Tomorrow we're running a couple of runs of slalom gates before we leave to go to San Pellegrino for 2 slalom races. So excited to get back into racing!! Fingers crossed conditions are good!

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Not long to go!

Haven't blogged in a while, I've spent most of my time since Tignes working, (run up to christmas in retail is a nightmare!) and in the gym. My sessions in the gym have mostly been focussing on strength and power, two things I consider to be my weaknesses, just hope the work pays off!

This weekend I went up to Chill Factore in Manchester to train with the Welsh team. The Saturday afternoon was spent free skiing with a few drills and video then  followed by a short fitness test. It was then an early start on the Sunday morning for some more drills and some runs in stubbies and gates. Although it was a good 4-5 hour drive each way, it was a good opportunity to get back on the skis and try out some new moves.

It's less than 2 weeks until I fly out to Les Houches to get the season started. Having watched the ladies racing in Beaver Creek at the weekend and seeing Mikaela Shiffrin, and Lara Gut's amazing performances I'm now inspired and excited! 

 A motivational quote for the season!

Thanks to Racer Ready for this photo from the English Championship GS last year!

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