Céline's Update: March Madness!

Hey Its been a busy few weeks. I went to Sugarloaf for J2 Nationals. I went into it feeling pretty confident. We start with the SL one of the only beautiful days in Sugarloaf and I had a good chance but unfortunately went out about 3/4th down in the first run. Then we had our GS which got pushed back 2 days. I went out in the second run and finally had the SG which I made loads of mistakes and still managed to finished 15th.

Overall Sugarloaf was very frustrating, because we had 7 scheduled races and only got 3 because of the weather. But when I got back it was time to move on to Winter Park. We had 4 races 2 GS's and 2 SL's. I fell every single run but the runs where I didnt fall I had some good runs. The first day was GS and I won the first run and fell the second run. The next day also GS I fell on the first run.

After the GS's it was time for SL. In SL the first run I fell again and hiked and got 31st missing the flip by about a 2 tenths, then got second for the run. The next day I figured out my problems and put down a pretty good first run. I had over a 2 second lead. In the next run I was skiing even better and unfortunately fell 5 gates from the finish.

This past weekend I was racing in Beaver Creek. I had a pretty good weekend overall. The first day my first run wasn't very good I think I was a little nervous. But I managed to make the flip and run 5th. I had a nice second run and ended up finishing 21st. The second day I had a nice first run and my second run wasn't my best run but I finished 17th. So I'm pretty happy about my weekend but know I just have to get 2 good runs together.

I look forward to finishing the end of the season strong with U.S. National (SL), Spring Series and hopefully Western Spring Series in Mission Ridge WA.

.)) Céline Guilmineau

Au Revoir France

Hey SRD,

It feels like the season has been going by so fast. This past weekend I was racing in Markstein, France. We had 2 SL races. It's a pretty far drive about 6 hours for only 2 races. When we got there it was raining and very foggy but I was still really excited to race.

The first day it was really foggy all day and the snow was really weird. It was like really small death cookies. When I jumped into the trainer course I discovered this the hard way because right at the end I fell over so I was on my side and then my skis hooked back up the hill sending me on my back but I was alright. The first run I had a good run and ending up coming in 13th giving a very good start for the second run. The second run I kept to it and made some SL points. I scored 47 points which I am so excited about because its really hard to score points in Europe in general.

The second day I also made another result and scored 56 points, which now means I have 53 SL points. I guess the drive was worth it.

On another note I have a few days left training in France then I'm coming HOME! I'm very excited to come home but I'm sad to leave but I am looking forward to J2 Nationals. Good Luck SRD in all your races coming up!

.)) Céline Guilmineau

Céline in Tignes

It's been a little while since I lasted blog because I've been very busy and been doing a lot of races. I just did about of week of speed in Tignes. Going into it I wasn't too confident because we were only able to train SL. The first day we had a Super-G I went out and the second day a super combined (a super-g and SL) which didn't go very well. But I kept my head up for the downhill training. We had 2 runs in one day and then a post inspection which is nice because you remember exactly what mistakes you made and since you get a look at the course right after you can fix them. After the DHT it was another super combined but with a downhill. In the downhill I placed 36th just missing the cut by about 2 tenths. Then was the SL I had a good solid run making the 16th time of the run and moving me up to 21! Finally we had one last downhill and I placed 35. Overall I think the week went well I made some downhill points and super combined points. I think my downhill points lowered by about 25.

After my week of speed in Tignes I did a SL and GS race in La Plagne which was originally suppose to be in Villard de Lans but because of the lack of snow they got moved. Which I was actually happy about because we just did the drive in the morning and I was able to sleep in my bed. In the SL I had a good first run putting me in 16th but unfortunately my second run I made lots of mistakes and finished 21. In the GS my first run was alright nothing exceptional but i had tied for 27 meaning that I got to go 4th on the 2nd run. The second run I had a good run and had the 12th time of the run and finished 22 overall. I feel like my ski is finally coming together and I just have to put two runs together now.

.)) Céline Guilmineau

Bonjour from France!

I hope you have all spent some great family time during these past holidays I know I did but it was short. The 26th of December I left to go to France for some racing in training. Wasting no time I started training right away in Meribel which is very close to Courchevel and started racing. We had a full week of racing scheduled including 2 GS races in Morzine, 2 SL races in Châtel and 2 SG races that were originally suppose to be in Les Gets but because there wasn't enough snow they got moved to Tignes.

The First day I went out in the GS and the second day I finished with one of my best results this season but I'm not satisfied. I went out both days in SL but I used the opportunity to train and watch my team mate miss the podium by 1 place, 2 days in a row. Then it was off to Tignes and I decided not to race and train. Thankfully because I got food poisoning that night so I don't think I would have been able to train anyways.

Today I got back on my feet and did a little SL training and tomorrow we are off to the north of France for a week of training. Have fun and good Luck in all your races.

.)) Céline Guilmineau

Céline in Sverige! (That's Sweden)

Hi, lately I've been lucky enough to be in Sweden training. I was in Kåbdalis for about a week and half, which seemed to be much longer considering the population is about 500. There was one run and one chair lift where we trained everyday, when we wanted to.

While in Kåbdalis I got to see the women's World Cup team, the Swedish team of course. We even trained in their SL course after they were finished. The snow is all man made but while I was there it snowed about 2 ft which was exciting. It didn't effect our training because they injected the hill twice.

It was the iciest, most bulletproof run I've ever skied on. I think (for those of you who have on Birds of Prey during the World Cup) it was icier than that! I'm currently in Tärnaby which is the resort of Anja Pärson, and Ingemar Stenmark, skiing legends! I'm skiing here for one more day and then I leave for France.

The training has been great despite the lack of seeing the sun. We did manage to see it a few times. In France I'm hoping to do a few races and then it will be back Colorado for some races Nor-Am's hopefully.

.)) Céline Guilmineau