Finally I'm getting an update to you on my blog. I'm sorry to avid readers(Noah Hoffman) for the lag from my last post. A lot of exciting stuff has happened over the last couple of months. I got to spend some time at home in Washington with my family and friends and race my first, second, and third world cup races. I won my first national title, and now I'm in Czech Republic getting fired up for the Under 23 World Championships!
My debut to the World Cup was in early December, racing in Quebec City and Canmore. I had two events in Quebec, an individual sprint and a team sprint. In Canmore I had three races, a classic 15km, a skate sprint, and a 30km skiathlon. The 15km in Canmore was my best race, finishing in 36th place, 6 places out of making world cup points. Considering it was my first distance World Cup, I was super excited with that. The race was a mass start (everyone starting the race at one time), so I got to ski with the best in the world for half of the race before I just couldn't keep up with the pace. I now know what it is going to take to ski with those guys. To be honest, I thought it was going to be harder. I'm 21 and I seem to be improving, so I figure if I continue to train hard there is no reason I won't be able to keep up with the leaders in a couple of years. They carry a fast pace, but they aren't doing anything special. It's just a bunch of dudes that like to have fun, take their sport seriously, and train super hard,,,, thats what I like to do.
Being home at Christmas was so nice; it was a great time to replenish the system before heading out for the next period of racing. The Methow at that time of year is so great and being at home is always nice- the comfy warm house with a stocked fridge, clean clothes, comfortable bed, loving parents, oh and of course the best skiing in the world. It's the only place I have found that you can expect to have fresh grooming. I may have taken it for granted growing up there, but I'm learning to appreciate a lot more. I guess I just expected ski areas to have corduroy. After moving away and skiing all over the place, I now realize that nowhere beats the Methow.
Sadzarue skiing in the Methow.
Tyler took me snowmobiling and shooting.
While I was home, Sadie and I hosted a kids camp. This was our second year putting on the "Cascade Challenge Camp". It was very successful and I'm not sure who was having a better time, me or the kids. I realize how important this aspect of being a "professional" skier is and I really think that Sadie and I can inspire the younger generation. I remember when I was their age and there was a couple of older guys that I would love to hang out with at the swim practices and competitions. I hope I can be that role model for them. I want to show the kids that cross country skiing is a healthy and fun activity where you can mess around with your friends and if you decide to take the sport to the next level, there are some great opportunities out there. The camp sign up list filled up quickly and over a week before the camp, which tells me it's a popular event in the Methow. Maybe next year we will find a new venue so we can allow more kids to come. Just recently I scheduled another event in Alaska where I will be traveling around Alaska and going to some native villages to teach kids how to ski. I'm sooo excited to meet these kids and to explore new parts of Alaska. This event will happen after my ski season in mid April and the trip is sponsored by NANA Nordic.
Working on some waxing skills.
Thanks PowerBar for sponsoring the camp!
Max learned a lot and used his new knowledge to win a jeopardy question.
Just over a week ago, I finished up racing National Championships at Soldier Hollow in Utah. For me, it was the best nationals I've ever had. I ended up getting two silvers and my first national title. I have been feeling good this year and I have posted some good results, but I did not expect that to happen. It was an unbelievable week! I guess the hard training last summer payed off. These results qualified me for the Under 23 World Championships, I maintained the SuperTour leader position giving me 3rd period World Cup start rights and also it put me in the running for qualifying for the World Championships in Italy. They should name the team this week so keep your fingers crossed for me. Being named to the team would be a huge honor.
And the most exciting thing of all……………… we got one piece racing suits!!!!
Thanks for reading and your support!
