Merry Christmas! - St Moritz

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!!

I simply cannot properly express how much I love this time of year. I love the festive feeling in the air, the time with family, the food, and the general good cheer all around. It’s even snowing here in Chilliwack today, a true white and Canadian Christmas. It is because of my love for the Holidays that the final races before Christmas are my favourite. I’m lucky enough that I will be home for Christmas and New Year’s! (In our world it’s a rare for a North American to be home at all during the Holidays) I will be in Chilliwack, Victoria and (powder) skiing in the mountains over the holidays.

Since Lake Louise we have been in St. Moritz. I always loving being in St.Moritz because I have a sense of home and belonging there. Many of you know Peter Bassin (my coach growing up), well he grew up in the village next to St. Moritz. This has always made me feel some kinship with the valley and a strong pull to my roots as a ski racer. Normally I get to Madulain to visit Peter’s Aunt, but I sadly didn’t get there this year. I didn’t want to show up with my big arm…(explanation to follow)..and during the race week things just got going in a hurry.

So, about the big arm. Well, the night after the SG in Lake Louise I up scratching my arm. Assuming it was an allergic reaction to the fish I’d eaten the night before I didn’t think much of it. I simply took lots of Benadryl and iced down my arm as it started to swell. Unfortunately, the arm simply continued to swell more and more…to the point that I ended up in the hospital in St. Mortiz Wednesday evening. As it turned out my arm somehow got a bacteria in it (with no cuts this was extremely bizarre…). So, I was on a high dose of Antibiotics and after a few days the swelling started to come down. I had some side effects to the drugs, but otherwise I was ok! I was thankful I didn’t need to race that week.

The start of the season has been a challenging one, with no summer training, crashing in Lake Louise, a bizarre infection in my arm, and more than enough snow for us all to say enough! Still, I’m feeling extremely strong on my skis and I’m working towards that level where my feeling and creativity can come out in my skiing. We’ve gotten three speed races in so far and we’ve had two cancelled. I’m feeling strong on my skis and my training runs and splits show the podium potential is still there! I’ll now have to hold my excitement in for a while since I won’t be racing again until later in January…hard to do when I’m just itching to go!

For now, I’m going to enjoy this break since I’ve been on the road nearly the whole time since September 15th. Turkey, gravy, cinnamon buns, and powder skiing here I come!!!!

As for the painting on E-bay, the painting raised over $500 for Right to Play and is going to an avid ski racing fan from Ontario! Thanks to everyone who bid!

Best Wishes to you all this season and throughout the New Year.

I’ll keep in touch!

With Smiles,
Kelly







Our coach Brett was ready to play hockey! The coaches has some exciting scrimmages happening on the beautiful outdoor rinks in St. Mortiz. Us girls got out one afternoon on our skates as well – we had so much fun!



















Britt Janyk held Canada up in the Super G with an 8th place finish. Emily Brydon, Larisa Yurkiw and I were DNF’s while Sherry and Emile failed to make the top 30. Emily and Larisa both had strong results the day earlier in the Super Combined – Emilie Desforges was a DNF in that race.