Year End - Bormio, Italy

Another World Cup season has come to a close and this year it ended in Bormio. It was a great week that, some days, felt more like a vacation than a race week! We enjoyed some wonderful days of sunshine but unfortunately that meant the course was unfit to race speed events and therefore the Men's and Women's final Downhill race was cancelled. One of those off days turned out to be extremely memorable after we decided to go to the Bagni di Vecchi Spa. It's an old natural spa built into the mountainside. I couldn't have dreamt of a better natural spa experience! It was amazing.


Luckily the warm weather put some moisture in the snow, and the night brought cold enough temperatures to set it up. The next day the men's and womens' Super G races went off. It was a fun course that I was excited to run. I was on that day but sadly I went too straight at one gate near the bottom that definitely cost me a top five and potentially a podium. Still, I finished with a 9th position which is a strong result and a reminder that I'm still very much in the mix in Super G.

Although exhausted and really looking forward to time at home, I'm sad to see the racing season end. I love racing and I look forward to next year. Looking ahead, I have many months of training camps and hours in the gym. All this time will be spent working towards the goal of being better and faster next year! I can't wait!

I'm now heading to Quebec City for the national Championships then I'll be in Whistler for a two week speed camp. I'll then have some time off before another training camp in Whistler at the end of April.

I finished this year ranked 5th in Downhill and with the most overall World Cup points I've collected yet, 445 (last year I collected 367). It was such a strong season for my whole team and the atmosphere is healthy and hardworking. Watching the crystal globes (they go the overall champions in each discipline) get handed out in Bormio was a great experience. It ignited that passion inside me that's kept me going all these years, I can't wait for next year!

Many Smiles,

Kelly

Crans Montana, 12th

After a few tough training days I was able to collect myself and turn out my best run of the week on race day. Although 12th isn't what I'm looking for I was happy to have a solid run, making all the gates, and finishing without the adrenaline rush from a near crash experience!

I came to Europe for the final World Cup races of the season full of desire to be on the podium, wanting to claw my way onto the overall World Cup podium. My focus became far too output oriented and I started to loose my touch and finesse, I was trying to force a great result. I was trying to be perfect to get that win, however it's letting go of that need for perfection that will ensure a good result, and someday that elusive win. It's unfortunately we have to keep learning these lessons, but that's life!

Otherwise I am well, feeling healthy, and surprisingly strong for the end of the season. Emily, Britt, and I will be heading to Bormio, Italy next for the World Cup finals. Things start quickly with the training runs on Monday and Tuesday and the Downhill race on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to getting on this track with the men, it's sure to be exciting!

Many Smiles,

Kelly