Merry Christmas, Fröhliche Weihnachten & Buon Natale
December has been a busy month, with 5 World Cup Ski Cross events in about 3 weeks. I am pleased to say that I have had a great start to the season with a 6th placed result, two 7th place results, a 13th and a 17th.
Every race I am feeling stronger and stronger. I am getting further exposure to racing heats and learning how to be decisive under pressure. Ski Cross is a high pressure race environment. The track its self can be intimidating. Add in the three competitors you are racing against- each one wanting to win as much as you do. Then add adrenaline, your desire, emotions and anxiety to the equation and you have yourself a ski cross heat. I am loving this racing cocktail more and more.
Unfortunately, Europe is experiencing a rather spring like December, so we have been lucky to have no races cancelled in December. The outlook for January is unseasonably warm. We are hoping that the temperatures drop and our next World Cups in Watles (ITA) and La Plagne (FRA) are not cancelled. Our events have literally had snow on the track, and grass everywhere else. So my Christmas wish this year is for snow!
I am spending Christmas in Austria with Ben and Shawn at our friend Lu and Steph’s apartment. It is so nice to be in a ‘home’ for Christmas, and not a hotel. The Gingerbread house has been made and I am looking forward to eating Shawn’s famous Turkey and I am making a Pavlova! Aussie/Canadian Christmas in Austria!
For now, I am having some rest before getting back into training after Christmas, whilst crossing my fingers and toes for the white stuff to begin to fall.
Thank you for the countless messages and continuing support of me and my Ski Cross career. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2016 be a year full of fun, love and snow!
Sami
