Sunday, December 31, 2006

Happy New Year!!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!!!!!! I just spent the last two days up in Whistler training with my coach Rob Boyd and David was along as well. It was great to get on a hill with SO MUCH SNOW!!! It was also extremely fun for me to train with the kids from the Whistler club. Plus a bit of smack talking in the start got us all going that little bit faster:)

I wish you all a wonderful 2007 with many magical moments!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Merry Christmas to All!

Some have suggested that my recent success has made me too big for my britches....

Or this is just a really small toilet! :) It was so cute, I had to take a picture of this fully functioning kids bathroom at a gas station in France.

Ok, back to my blogging now. It's Christmas again! This is a time of year I absolutely love, cherish, and, look forward to. I just arrived home last night from a short whirlwind tour in Europe as races were being moved around regularly due to lack of snow. So far this season I've had a pretty impressive start! My first Podium in Lake Louise is the obvious highlight, however, I'm very proud of my consistent skiing. Currently I'm ranked 11th in the Overall World Cup (which is pretty good considering I've only been doing 2 out of the 4 possible disciplines on the circuit), 8th in overall Downhill and 7th in the overall Super G so far this year! I can't wait to continue racing and being in the mix. It's great fun to be up there in the front of the pack!

I'll be in Chilliwack with David this Christmas enjoying time at home, eating home cooked meals, and with no duffle bags in sight! I'm sure I'll be hitting the slopes at some point here in BC since there is so much snow!
This December I was reminded of how big peoples hearts and understanding can be. I have never felt so supported and loved. Thank you to everyone who has been there to catch me as I fell. I love you all.
Merry Christmas!
Kelly

Thursday, December 07, 2006

A Quick Thank You!

I just wanted to thank everyone who has signed my guest book! I love reading the notes, it fills me with so much passion and excitement to keep on racing!

Unfortunately I don't have the time to reply to everyone, so this is my mass reply:

THANK YOU!!!!! :)

Monday, December 04, 2006

Making History at Lake Louise!





My First Podium on the World Cup!!!
I have to admit, everything feels like a blur as the reality of my first podium beings to sink in. There are so many reasons for this podium to stick in my mind and mean so much. Most importantly it was my first podium ever! Also, as I said during many interviews, the best possible first podium would have been at the Olympics (where I was 4th)but the next best thing was for it to happen in Canada. But probably the most lasting impression this podium has left is the history I am now a part of. I was the first Canadian female to stand on the podium at Lake Louise since it started running in 1989! That felt pretty cool.
I was lucky enough to share this weekend with my boyfriend David Ford, and Both my parents! My parents watched my first ever world cup race here in Lake Louise and now they were there to share in my first podium. It was extremely special.
Since the podium I've been doing interview after interview. It's been such a treat to see how the Canadian media has received the great results by myself and Michael Janyk (he was 2nd yesterday at the men's Slalom race in Beaver Creek).
Today I had a day off which has helped everything sink in. David and I went up on the hill to freeski and have some fun. It was such a treat to check out this great mountain! It was my first time skiing more than the two runs used for the races! It was great.
Otherwise, I'm doing well and looking forward to more racing! Next week we hope to be in Val D'Isere for another series of races....as long as the weather gets colder and the snow starts falling!
Thank you to everyone who has helped me achieve this dream!
I know it's only the beginning.
Smiles,
Kelly

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Kicking off the New Season

Racing!!! We'll finally be Racing!!!!
I have to admit, I'm slightly excited to get the season underway after so much intense training. I was in Lake Louise for a few days with the men checking out the track and getting a feel for the hill as a forerunner. Now home in Chilliwack for a few days of rest, I'm gearing up to start racing next week. Lake Louise has been blessed with lots of snow this season so everyone may enjoy some great racing and skiing this weekend and next!
The last couple of weeks I've been training hard in Nakiska and Panorama. Doing some of my best skiing in both Super G and GS I'm looking forward to racing. Although I've had a few pulled muscles here and there, I'll be ready to go by race day!
I hope to see you there :)
Kelly

Friday, November 10, 2006

From Galas to Snow

Currently I am in Nakiska training again. After the hectic Gala and media tour that took me from Toronto, to Vancouver, and finally to Calgary I am happy to be back on snow. All the events were huge successes and I'm sure things will only get better next year!

Since the Gala tour has come to an end I'm happy to say that we're back on snow! I have to admit, I'm extremely happy to be back working again....at my real job:) We are now training in Nakiska, Alberta doing mostly GS until Panorama is ready to have us.

This picture is of Gail Kelly and Anna Goodman at the top of Nakiska - what a beautiful view!
We are all looking forward to the racing season (staring off with the Slalom tomorrow in Levi, where Brigitte Acton will be racing). Lake Louise will be my first World Cup this season and I know, as always, it will be such a joy to race in front of a home town crowd! (Or as close to a home town as I have on the World Cup circuit)

I'm now starting my journey through a new season that holds nothing but possibilities. I am excited and nervous as always. It never ceases to amaze me how a year can pass by so quickly. Although I know the alternative just wouldn't be appealing to me. Life is meant to be lived! Take care and I hope to see many of you in Lake Louise to cheer us on!!!!!!

With Big Smiles and Fast Skis,

Kelly

Friday, November 03, 2006

Galas and Packing


Recently in Toronto, I enjoyed a great day and evening full of events! Early in the day Alpine Canada held a press conference at the Toronto Stock Exchange. Following this event, I did an interview with Sportsnet. For lunch I met with great friends, Erica and her two little girls! In the evening Alpine Ontario hosted a Gala dinner to help raise money for all the upcoming ski stars. It was an amazing event that I'm sure everyone enjoyed. I was
'lucky' enough to be a part of the fashion show - a skill I have yet to master! :)

Now back home in Chilliwack, BC it has dawned on me that I'm hitting the road, tomorrow (Monday), for 7 weeks! It's amazing how it always sneaks up on you. So, I've been caught up in a whirlwind of trying to get myself organized and ready to head into the racing season. My bags are now (mostly) packed, laundry done, and the 'to do' list is getting smaller. Tomorrow evening I will be attending the Vancouver Gala then I'll be flying to Calgary for pictures, clothing pickup, fitness testing, and another Gala. From there, I will finally get back to the slopes....where the real work begins!

Friday, October 27, 2006

Home Again


This is the amazing view from an Airbus as David and I flew over Baffin Island upon my return trip from Austria and David's return trip from Holland. All I could think seeing all this snow was that we should be racing up here! The World Cup GS in Solden was canceled due to lack of snow, the first time this race has ever been canceled. It definitely makes me reflect upon the global warming situation!

In the end I'm really happy with the training and progress I made in Pitztal. We had a good balance of time spent training Super G and GS, with success in both disciplines. Our team is skiing extremely well and the competition will be thick! I am now at home in Chilliwack enjoying this time to relax before the season begins. This morning I went for a wonderful run along the river in my backyard, the scenery is beautiful with all the colours changing. Up next...Halloween....what to wear, what to wear:)

Monday, October 23, 2006

Rising Sun


This was a picture I took as the sun rose on the Pitztal Glacier, it's a beautiful place.

Today we're taking a day off. Instead of skiing we'll pass our day catching up on e-mails, rest, and physio. We also have a hike planned this afternoon that will take us up to a restaurant where we'll eat lunch. We're staying in a great hotel but it's always nice to get out for a change in scenery. On the hill things are going well. In the last 3 days we did one day of GS and two of Super G. The entire Canadian women's world cup team is now here in Pitztal, it has helped up the intensity on the hill. Our whole team is skiing well, it will be an interesting season!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Pitztal, Austria Training Camp

We are currently half way through our camp here in Pitztal, Austria where we have enjoyed some great weather and snow. Although there isn't much snow, and lots of rocks at the top and bottom of the training sites, the snow on the course is amazing! Hard, grippy, snow with some icy patches has made for efficient yet challenging training. So far we have split our training time between the GS and Super G events. The technical girls have been in Solden training these last 5 days but have now joined us for the remainder of the camp in Pitztal. October training camps are always interesting and fun as the racing season nears. Virtually every World Cup team is training in either Pitztal or Solden and everyone is scouting out the other athletes, catching up with friends, and getting excited (and some nervous) for the upcoming races. I'm definitely getting excited! So far this camp I've trained with the Italian, Slovenian, and American women. It's been great to train with the best in the world, it keeps you honest. - K

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Hanging Out in the Airport...

Well, I'm currently sitting in the Montreal airport trying to pass the time during this 4hour lay-over. So far I've chatted with my Mom, checked e-mails, enjoyed some pea soup, watched Dr. Phil, sent some texts....all this and I still have 3 more hours to kill! Please don't worry though, I'm a pro at killing time! Up next, picking my nose....ha ha, just kidding.

I actually had a very enjoyable flight here with Rob Boyd sitting next to me. I'm excited and a bit anxious to get back on snow. I have really enjoyed my time at home, more than I can say, but I now look forward to getting back to work. While home I met with my mental trainer, Roger Friesen a few times. After my sessions with Roger I always felt so excited that I wished the first race was now! Luckily though, I still have time to hone my skills a little more before I stand in the start gate. Currently I'm heading to the Pitzal glacier in Austria for the next two weeks. I'll update you on how the training goes! - K

Friday, October 06, 2006

Speaking Engagements

Recently I enjoyed being a guest speaker at two speaking engagements. David and I spoke as a team with some Pacific Sport athletes and their parents from the Fraser Valley region about Media Training. This evening was a rather informal session that really turned out well with great stories and interaction between David and I and the crowd. In an intimate setting at the the University College of the Fraser Valley it was well suited for the topic and the people attending.

The next morning I was up bright and early to join the Chilliwack/Mt Cheam Rotary Club for breakfast and a speech. This was a particularly fun (and funny) group of people. I really enjoyed being there as there guest and I hope to connect more frequently with similar groups in the Chilliwack community.

Magazine Cover



The new SRC - Ski Racing Canada magazine is being launched October 12th and I have been lucky enough to grace its cover! It was amazing fun doing the photo shoot and I look forward to seeing how it turned out! Join SRC's launch party:

At C Lounge -456 Wellington St, Toronto - next Thursday at 9pm for SRC Launch Party along with our friends from Marker Technical Volkl, Karbon, Lange and Grand Marnier.

You will be able to order your own subscription soon on their website: www.srcmag.ca. Unfortunately I won't be at the launch party since I'm on my way to Europe on that day. But knowing these guys it will be lots of fun!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

November 2nd - Toronto Gala

Notice:

November 2nd is the date to mark for the Toronto Gala. I just thought I'd let people know that I'll be making the trip to Toronto for this event and that I hope to see many of you out there! Alpine Ontario/Alpine Canada always put on a nice event and all the proceeds go to support our dreams of Gold! :) (recognize the skier in the background?...)

Saturday, September 30, 2006

It all began at Tojo's....

David and I were celebrating our 4th year together with the best sushi possible at Tojo's restaurant in Vancouver. David has become friends with Tojo (a world renound sushi chef) and we were lucky enough to be his guests. Sitting at the sushi bar, enjoying a meal to die for, we got to know two gentlemen sitting next to us, Chris and Rick. They happened to work for Elton John and invited us to Elton's concert in Vancouver two nights later. Of course we were excited to be asked and accepted the offer! So, on Wednesday night, after I wrote my final exam for Commercial Law that morning, David and I were given a back stage pass to Elton John's concert, shown a grand tour of the stage and crew by Chris, and Rick showed us the works of art he takes care of - the guitars. To top off the night we were sat in the front row, only 10 feet from Elton. We enjoyed a 2h 45min concert where Elton played non stop. Elton's abilities and the whole evening simply left David and I speechless.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

An Artist's Take

Upon my return home from Portillo, Chile I opened a package that held a special gift within. I had heard a while ago that there was a group of artists interested in making medals for all the Canadian athletes who finished 4th in Torino. I nearly forgot about this entirely....until a packaged arrived with my name on it. It was a medal made by Peter MacLean and the strap was made by Holly Carr. They are two artists from Nova Scotia. This medal is perfect in so many ways, I am honoured to have received one. All the medals were made by different artists and Holly Carr made the ribbons. These artists felt a kinship with the athletes who work, often alone, towards an ideal. These medals were a way for them to recognize those who might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Go Check Out.....

Also Check Out:

Schedule for October


October 12 - Fly Vancouver, Canada to Munich, Germany
October 13-25 - Training in Solden and Pitztal, Austria
Ocotber 26 - Fly Munich, Germany to Vancouver, Canada

A Picture to Share






A Fourth Place Finish in Torino Olympics, 2006

0.03 seconds from a medal

First Blog Entry - Sept 2006

Hello and welome to my new blog. This blog will have a link from my main website - www.kellyvanderbeek.com. I hope this blog will help everyone keep in touch and up to date with my crazy life as an Alpine Ski Racer! Since I barely know where I am when, I thought this may help you and I stay up to date.

Wish me luck as I learn the world of blogging!

Cheers,
Kelly