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
No comments:
Post a Comment