Maui, Collingwood, Las Vegas, Canmore

Right from Vancouver MP and I headed to Maui. 

To be specific, we were staying in Paia and then Haiku, which are the less touristy parts of Maui.

I will let some of our pictures speak for themselves.

One day we decided to have an "active day" away from surfing. We decided to rent one paddle board between two of us and brought our snorkelling masks. We realized that this was the most efficient way to do two things at once.

We saw turtles almost everyday, whether it was while snorkelling, or while surfing. The turtles love to float near the surface of the water, just before the wave is about to break. I guess they too love the feeling of the water freely moving their bodies. 

 Mp and I thought that we would be able to both stand up and paddle. In between giggle fits and falling in, we realized that we were wrong.

Hookipa

 I got burnt the first day... I wasn't going to let that happen again.

The best teammate and travel companion!

One morning we woke up very early to drive up the volcano, Haleakala, to watch the sunrise. Although it was an early morning, it was worth every second of it. 

We met a few new friends and spent many hours exploring Hawaii and attempting to become locals!

Maui was an amazing experience. After I stopped waterskiing, I lost my love for the water. I forgot how much I love the sound of the waves smashing against the sand, as the birds sing in ecstasy. I missed the feeling of the waves rolling under my body, knowing that the ocean is more powerful than I am, but if we work together we can accomplish great things. Now, when I see a river, I think of surfing; when I make a GS turn, I feel like I'm surfing; when the sun comes out, I know that it is a good time to surf. I am hooked, and I bet you can see why!

After Maui, I went back home. First order of business was to sleep for 13.5hours and catch up on my sleep debt. Next, try to get the sand out of my hair and clothes, and finally... make Boulder love me again.

 I was able to have some time to myself to reflect on the year. I find writing to be a way to escape. To put the words in my head on paper, seeing the words that are scrambled in my head, set straight.

I was able to run on my favourite trails.

And witness life from the uncomplicated mind of a dog.

Next up on the schedule was Las Vegas. 

I had a photo-shoot in Vegas for Sports Net Magazine, for the beauty issue. I had an amazing time and the photographer made sure that he got the shot no matter what. 

I have never done anything like this, but it was a great experience and I am excited (and nervous) to see the photos... I had just a little make up on.. 

 Oh and I got to ride in a Ferrari that they rented for James Hinchcliffe's shoot.

Next, I packed up my life and finally got back to the mountains!

Our team traveling up to Sunshine with all of our gear and spend 10 days skiing and staying up on the mountain. In the morning we would do about 10 runs of super G or GS.

In the afternoon, we would practice our skier cross starts and features! At first we were terrified, but slowly we started to get the hang of the rollers and the wu-tang.

 A few of the days we were towed up by a snow mobile, so we would maximize the number of runs we did and minimize our time on the chair.

Robbie Dixon volunteered to be our snow mobile driver for the day!

He made sure never to miss out on a google tanning session.

We were able to get a lot accomplished during these 10 days. We only skied GS and Super G and it was nice to think about skiing in different ways that I know will transfer over to my slalom nicely.

We felt like Europeans during this camp because we trained hard all week, but on the weekend we were able to head home to Canmore and get rested up for another 5 days on snow.

I've been skiing for a long time. I have struggled and overcome some of those struggles. This life is messy and beautiful. However, I can honestly say that I love skiing today more than I ever had and for that I am thankful.

Season Concludes- Ofterschwang, Finals and Nationals

The last few months have been very tough on me and have slowly taken their toll. It seems as if when this happens, I start letting my blog go a little bit. I am going to rewind to the last few races of the season, and then fill you in on my two weeks of rejuvenation! 

After a break at home, we headed to Ofterschwang for our last race of the year before finals. Ofterschwang is the place where I won my first World Cup race last March. I was excited to be back, and my body felt great. 

 We trained for a few days before the race and my times were in there with some of the best in the World.
Bib draw

My bib draw buddy! :) (I miss her already!)

I really struggled during the race. I didn't have a very good first run, but I knew what I had to change. I knew I had to let a few things go mentally, and I felt prepared to step up for the next run. However, very early on in my second run, I straddled. I took this hit hard, and knew that I would have to fully accept what happened and move on before finals which were coming up in less than a week.
However, it was a good day for Canada. Mitch placed 4th, narrowly missing the podium and Anna won the second run, during her first race "back from retirement".... also we lifted Tom.

After Ofterschwang, I headed to Innsbruck for a few days to collect my thoughts and get prepared for the last race of the year. It was a nice time to relax and enjoy a new city.

We headed to Lenzerheide, Switzerland a few days later to prepare for and race in the World Cup finals.
Every year at finals they have the Audi party, where athletes, coaches and anyone involved with FIS celebrate the end of another great season.

This year some of the big names were our musical entertainment for the season. (Ivica Kostelic and Andre Myhrer)

Leading up to the race I straddled almost once every single day. I tried to put this out of my mind, but looking back I did a poor job of this. After first run I was quite far back, however I held it together and I knew what I needed to do for the second run. I went out of the gate second run, knowing that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I knew that my family was at home, watching online at 5am.

In the last run of the World Cup season, I proved to myself that even on off days I can still be in there. I ended up 10th that day and 11th in the overall standings.

It seems as if I say that every year is a learning year, and I suppose that that rings true this year. I started my season strong, however I struggled near the end of the season and I had to fight my way back out of this struggle. I know what I need to change heading into next season. I know what I need to work on, and I know what I will never let happen again. I ended the season this year in 11th, where as last year I finished up in 15th. I didn't win a race this year, however my results were more consistent, which was my goal entering this season. 

I am ready for this season coming up. I will be stronger and I will be tougher. 

I will no longer have to rely on people like this to brighten up my day. 

The air show at finals

The finish area.

One of our European fans makes these collages for us throughout the year, I wanted to share mine with you! 

After finals we headed to Whistler for nationals, and we packed lightly of course.

Nationals are always thoroughly enjoyable because I get to see my family and friends, however they are difficult as well because we are battling the fatigue of travel and the season.

This year I was able to do a few free ski days with my family and old friends!

And I was reunited with my girls!

Including Kelly Vanderbeek, who officially retired during the Whistler nationals, and skied her last run down a race course. Kelly has always been an inspiration to the rest of us on the team. She is incredibly professional and is always willing to lend a helping hand. I am lucky to say that someone that I looked up to greatly growing up, became my friend and also my teammate through this amazing sport. We are sad to see you go, but I know you will be successful in everything that you do!

I raced my first super g and gs since the beginning of December.

Next year I will start skiing more gs again.

I fell in the slalom near the bottom... but Mitch took a well deserved slalom title!

Most importantly I was able to ski with my grandpa, who is one of the most inspirational people in my life. Sometimes you need days like this to put the rest of your life in perspective.

After Whistler MP and I had flights booked for Maui... we were only a little bit excited!!!

I will post about our crazy Maui adventures soon!!

(My new phone case)