From Kazui

I have had a busy week so far, having 3 races in 4 days. My first SG race this season was last Friday. I came into the SG event feeling very nervous for two reasons, it was only my second day on the skis this season, and it was my first race back from my injury I had in the state SG last year. I came in 2nd and I was pretty excited about that because SG being my least favorite event, I didn't have a lot of confidence in doing that well.

I had a slalom race 2 days after that at Bromley mountain. The hill was fairly flat and turny and it was a really nice hill for my first SL race back. Even though my ankle was sore, I finished 1st that day and gained even more confidence on my tech events. The next day I had the State SG at Okemo mountain. Very ironically, I went down in the training run and got taken down in a sled once again, the third time this season. WOOHOOO! Two years straight I have unsuccessfuly finished a State SG run. It turns out I had sprained my same ankle, but on different sides. It was red and swollen, but I got back on snow in less than two days.

On Friday I had a SL race at mysterious Willard Mountain. From stories that I hear, lots of crazy stuff goes on at this mountain. This time it was everything a racer could ask for; ruts, ruts, ruts. It had been raining the last couple of days and on the forecast it was suppose to dump rain. But as mysterious as it is, the day turned out to be 60 degrees, clear blue skies. I ran 158th out of 160. And the last two people weren't here so if i'm doing my math correctly, I was selected to go last. I waited about an hour after the boys start due to the many DNF's and DSQ's. By the time I went, the trail was qualified more to be considered a mogul field rather that a race course. I tried to throw a clean run down but no, that didn't happen, actually the exact opposite happened. As embarrassing as this sounds, I fell on the 2nd gate of the course. Yeah you heard... the 2nd gate also being a hairpin.I had to hike myself up while about 2 dozen people watch me. I went further down and then straddled, I would have usually hiked but the hike before just killed me. So then again I started DFL second run, and yes this time the ruts were worse. I started and made it through the first gate and hairpin, but as lucky as I am I straddle the next gate. So I hike and make my way up the hill, the exact same spot where I fell before. That day was a mess and I hope I never have to go through an experience like that ever again.

That race was the last for the qualifiers, so they announced the State team there. I had all first place results but in the tie breaker, my fellow teammate beat me out. I ended up 2nd overall. The Tech State events are next week at Okemo and I hope I make my way into JO's! Peace out.

.)) Kazui Kusumi