And that's a wrap!
Wow. What a busy World Cup Season this has been. But alas, the 2013/14 season has drawn to a close. The highights for me this season have been returning to competition after having a stroke in April of 2013 , achieving a 4th place result at ValThorens in January and ultimately representing Australia at the 2014 Olympic Games.
Firstly, I would like to thank my family for making My Olympic experience so special. Competing in Sochi would not have been possible without the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, together with Ski & Snowboard Australia and the New South Wales Institute of Sport, who provided a supportive, high performance program that has enabled me to achieve so much in my world cup career so far, as well as Olympic representation. I look forward to continuing my development and I look towards the upcoming World Championships in Austria next year and to the next Olympic Games in Korea in 2018 .
Thanks to all the support Staff from the NSWIS and Australian Institute of Sport-especially to Shawn Fleming, John Marsden and Ferry Lee, lead by my coach of 4 years, Matt Lyons.
As most of you know, l had Some complicated health issues going into this seasonand I must credit my return to good health and to elite sport to all of the dedicated medical staff at both the AIS and NSWIS , as well as to my patient and understanding family & friends.
I have been lucky enough to be supported by some fantastic companies and groups- Such as Salomon , Komperdell , POC, XTM , Karbon , Southern Alps Ski Club, Perisher Ski Resort, High Country Fitness , Guthega Alpine , Manly Surf Lifesaving Club as well as the amazing communities of Jindabyne and Manly / Waringah.
I have been fortunate to find some great friends within my team and as some of them begin their new lives, I look forward to learning of their new successes in years to come.
I have been lucky enough to be travelling with the USA ski cross team post Sochi, competing in the remaining World Cup events and would like to say a special thanks to John, Joe & Chris for making me feel so welcome.Thank you to all who read my posts and for joining me on my journey to Sochi, Russia, and I hope you will join me again in the years to come.
l am now heading home and can't wait to spend some time relaxing before resuming training! It has been Such a privelage to represent Australia and I am excited for the future.
Sami :-)
