Morse Code: World Cup forerun!

On Wednesday I had the amazing opportunity to forerun the first ever women's super-g world cup at Beaver Creek. It was really cool experience in a lot of ways from just inspecting with all the world cup women to getting to run it.

As we inspected the course our coach Jonna Mendes was awesome, she helped us choose the fast and safe line. It was really cool because she introduced us to all of the U.S. Ski Team coaches and they would give us the run down on their section. Then when it came to the run we started around 10:25 a.m. and I was the last of the four forerunners to go. It was so awesome to enter the start house and see a the starter who was Bear Bryant who is a coach from Sunday River, this really helped calm my nerves.

As I kick out the start, the course was soon on top of me, with first two turns being extremely challenging for they were really steep and across the hill. Then the course really begins to pick up speed as it goes by pump house. The track then runs around the island trees and has a sweet 90 degree banked turn, following that there was a little air, I took it with a little bit to much direction and was a little bit to early. Then the course twists and turns, over some flats. This is when you have a little time to think, that wow I really am running a World Cup! Then it breaks over the pitch and has swing gates that get steeper and steeper with some terrain through in. Which leads into a big under gate going into the red tail jump with then 3 turning gates after it sending me into the finish.

As I came over red tail jump the thousands of people in the crowds fill the horizon. As I cross the finish line my heart almost stops, because it is so pumped with adrenaline. As I try to exit the finish an official asks me if the course is ready, for Stacy Cook who ran first. I was so pumped I could barely answer question.

Standing in the finish and watching Lindsey Vonn come down and win yet again was surreal. This was an once in a life time opportunity that I will never forget, so thanks to all who helped make it happen!

.)) Sam Morse

Birds of Prey!

Last weekend I was able to watch the best racers in the world shred at the Birds of Prey World Cup in Beaver Creek Colorado.

Most World Cups are in Europe so to have one just six hours away is awesome. The skiing was incredible, but being part of all the excitement was just as fun. My team rented a bus and 60 of us drove to Colorado.

Saturday was the men’s super G. With Bode’s downhill win the day before, the crowd was roaring when he pushed out the start. He had a jaw-dropping recovery part way down the course so he crossed the finish line but with a slower time then he had wanted. No Americans podiumed but it was truly inspirational to watch the skiing. They make one of the most complex and difficult sports seem so easy.

The next day was the men’s GS. Ted Ligety raced on the Park City Ski Team, so Park City’s corner of the stands was Ted’s biggest fan club. My friend brought face paint so we had ‘GO TED’ and American flags painted on our faces. Four of my friends also drew a letter of Ted’s name on their stomachs so when Ted came down they lined up and spelt ‘TED!’. His first run was practically flawless and put him in the lead. Hundreds of Cowbells echoed as Ted tucked across the finish line of his second run but he fell just hundredths away for first and into second.

Altogether, I had a fabulous time and it is an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

 .)) Molly Leavens

Breezin: Copper SuperG NorAm

Well I talked about it a lot. You, you probably got pretty sick of me. Well I am going to talk about it again. The season is almost here, tomorrow to be exact. Tomorrow I will throw myself out of the start of the Copper Super G and trust me. ‘Me’ does include my coaches and the people around me but I have to trust what I know. I have to trust my line that I have picked, my choices of spots to tuck, and most importantly my technique.

So here goes to all you guys who’s seasons are about to start. Trust everything you have done. Don’t worry about what you can’t control. Take everything you have and throw it into your race. Most importantly though give it everything you have. It would be silly to train the best before the season and then not use that work. Give it your all and know that you couldn’t have given it any more.

.)) Breezy Johnson