Friday, March 30, 2007

Laser Eye Surgery a Success!

Here I am, sporting the new high fashion, post-op, laser eye surgery sun glasses! No matter how dorky I looked on that day, it was definitely worth it. I can now see better than 20/20 and feel great! This whole process has been a long time coming as I waited for my vision to level off before I could consider laser surgery. Under Dr. Donna Mockler's guidance, an optometrist and a sport vision specialist, I was sent to Dr. Lin at Pacific Laser Eye Centre. There I received the best treatment possible when it comes to laser eye surgery. The results are perfection. I couldn't be happier.

I will be back on snow next week to test the new vision, new skis, and new boots. Next season is quickly approaching!....yes, I know, this one just finished:)

With Big Smiles and Clear Vision,

Kelly

Friday, March 23, 2007

End of Season Wrap Up

Spring is on it's way!!!!! As much as I love winter and skiing, I am really looking forward to getting some colour on this pale body of mine!

Well, another racing season has come to an end! Every year it never ceases to amaze me how quickly time flies by or how quickly you get wrapped up in the preparations for next year. Already, ski testing, training camps, and travel plans are set in place to get us set for next years races. It's a whirlwind of a lifestyle that can, at times be exhausting, but also unbelievably rewarding. This season I finished with a world ranking of 8th in Downhill and 8th in Super G. By FAR my best season finishing with just under 400 world cup points (a plateau I hope to surpass next year). Although I didn't end my season as strongly as it began, I am thankful to be healthy, and looking forward to an off-season to recharge the batteries. I have to admit, my batteries are very low after this season and I look forward to this time at home.

An exciting new part of my life right now is preparing for eye surgery! This Monday I go under the 'laser' and hope to come out with perfect vision! This will mean no more contact lenses drying out and folding in the middle of a speed race (yes, this has happened 3 times in World Cup competitions), better depth perception, and no more hassle with glasses ever again...if all goes well:) This is the reason I will not be competing in the National Championship this year. I needed a two week window in order to do the surgery with no contacts.

Now, I'm enjoying time at home with a few visits up to Whistler for media events and meetings with the girls as we try and help set up the best possible program to ensure many, many more podiums in our future.

Other exciting news includes me receiving a GM vehicle for a year because of my top ten world ranking on the World Cup! I have chosen a white Envoy and I look forward to ripping around in it.

As always, success isn't possible without the support of so many people around me. And of course, it also takes those special few who know when to kick me in the butt when I need it!

With Smiles and Best Wishes to Everyone,

Kelly

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Look like anyone you might know?....


Carbon Neutral!

It's official, I'm carbon neutral! Thomas Grandhi and Sara Renner have been strong advocates trying to get the Canadian Alpine and Cross Country athletes to become Carbon Neutral. With the obvious affects of global warming I'm excited to be getting an education in how to do my part to offset my carbon emissions. I hope my children's children will get to experience the joys of skiing, and now is the time to make the necessary changes to ensure we'll be ski racing for generations to come!

5th in DH - Best Donwhill Result of Career


I know it has been a while since my last blog, my apologies for those avid readers! :) Currently I find myself in Burgeis, Italy for a few days of training as we head into the World Cup Finals next week. Looking back on this season, in some ways it's hard to believe it's almost over, yet I am getting a bit run down from the travel, so it's nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Lenzerheide was a blast from the past. The last time I was there was for the World Juniors 6 years ago! I had my first World Junior Championship podium there and so I was excited to return. This time we got to see the sun from time to time and what a view - the mountains were beautiful. It was also a great weekend for the Canadian women! 5 top tens in two days, including a podium by Emily Brydon! I was one of the top tens with a 5th place finish, but unfortunately I had one heck of a mixed up run in Super G putting far back in the feild.
The picture above is of the little village built on the top of Tarvisio! It's a very beautiful place.
I promise to write more next time!
Big Smiles,
Kelly