Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Back in Winter!


Hello Everyone!

 

I hope you’re enjoying some golf, sunshine, beachside views, and all the joys that summer has to offer.  Although I may no longer be able to work on my tan (ok, let’s get serious….I only ever get as far as looking less pale) I am enjoying the feeling of being back on my skis.  I’m now in New Zealand and hard at work.  Although I enjoy the training throughout the summer, this is what I love and this is the kind of  work that will get me on the podium. 

 

The last month has certainly been busy though.  Here are a few updates of what’s been happening.

 

Fitness Camps

 

Our team has had several training camps this summer.  Two in Calgary and one in Whistler that totalled well over a month of training together as a group.  We’ve done some great work this summer and I certainly enjoyed the program.  There was a lot of creativity in our programs that kept it interesting and challenging.  It was fun to switch things up a bit with things like; log rolls; bungee jumping; mountain biking; paddling; etc.  There was still the base work in the gym and on the bike, but switching things up now and then has kept it interesting.

 

Some Fun Extras

 

Two weeks ago I had the honour of being asked to speak at an event in the Vancouver Olympic Village.  What an amazing site and one that is leaving an incredible legacy as it sets the bar in sustainability.  There was a crowd of 1,400 workers and this event was to recognize their hard work. On stage with me included Premier Campbell and Vancouver Mayor Robertson among many other distinguished guests.  This was an electric moment for me and likely one of my favourite speaking engagements that I’ve done (having 1,400 hundred people…mostly men…cheering certainly didn’t’ hurt!) 

 

 

Media’s Ramping Up

 

There has also been a lot of media as the Olympic fever is taking hold of Canada.  Although a lot of the work I’m doing this summer will show up sporadically over the next 6 months, we’re getting request almost daily for all kinds of events.  Having to keep a hold of the reins I’m not able to do everything, but it’s been great to see the kind of attention Olympians are currently getting.  CTV and it’s Olympic conglomerate (TSN, Sportsnet, etc.) recently aired one of my Olympic profiles.  Here is the link if you’d like to check it out: 

 

CTV link:   http://www.ctvolympics.ca/video/index.html?assetid=0c79f4a2-44d2-4cb6-bba5-5bd680b3b946

 

 

Charity Events Update

 

I have also been busy with charity work when I can fit it in between the training and travelling.  David and I both helped run a Boot Camp for kids ages 13 – 18.  We both really enjoyed this challenge of adapting to a variety of skill levels but also getting the opportunity to connect with kids that age.  It was great fun as we saw them open up, push themselves, and laugh while doing it.

 

I am also helping Canadian Athletes Now Fund get a Nationwide Snowball fight happening!  This is a new initiative they are doing to raise money that goes to Amateur Athletes across Canada.  You can buy snowballs and ‘throw’ them at anyone you like! 

 

Feel free to check it out:

 

www.snowday09.com

 

New Zealand

 

Our training camp in New Zealand has started up in Tekapo and our first five days of skiing are at Round Hill ski club.  It’s literally is a round hill and their slogan is, “Round Hill, for the newlywed and nearly dead!” .  So, I guess I fit in here since I’m a newlywed!  It’s a great hill to start since it has a fast turn around on a t-bar and the hill is just the right level of difficulty.  We’ve jumped right into training with two days of slalom and now we’re into GS.  I too was in the Slalom gates yesterday doing full length courses even!  It was fun to be back in a Slalom course.

 

Otherwise, I’m healthy and looking forward to a long camp of training. 

 

I wish you all many Smiles,

 

Kelly

 

Canadian Alpine Ski Team

Olympian and World Cup Medalist

Right to Play

Play it Cool

Team Darfur

www.kellyvanderbeek.com

 

 

 

Tekapo n RoundHill NZ (4).jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Tekapo, New Zealand.  We’re here for our first 5 days of training. We’re skiing  at Round hill and it’s literally is a round hill. Their slogan is, “Round Hill, for the newlywed and nearly dead!” .  I guess I fit in here since I’m a newlywed! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whistler Olympic Track Hike 2009 (8).jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is me standing at the top of our Olympic Downhill track after hiking it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whistler Dryland Camp 2009 (4).jpg

 

 

 

 

 

My first time Bungee jumping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whistler Dryland Camp 2009 (15).jpg

 

 

 

 

 

This is Emily Brydon as we enjoyed our active day off in Whistler which included a fun canoe for a couple hours then some bbq and volleyball time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whistler Dryland Camp 2009 (32).jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This log exersice was part out our agility circuit in Whistler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whistler Dryland Camp 2009.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is this is a girls team or what!  Our bags were all lined up as we got set to go for a 4 hour mountain bike ride which finished with bungee jumping.  I guess we’re girly in Pink but no so girly in action!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olympic Village Speech (8).jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was a guest speaker at an event held in the Vancouver Olympic Athletes Village.  There was a crowd of 1,400 workers and on stage with me included Premier Campbell and Vancouver Mayor Robertson among many other distinguished guests.  This was an electric moment for me and likely one of my favourite speaking engagements that I’ve done (having 1,400 hundred people…mostly men…hooting and hollering didn’t’ hurt!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olympic Village Speech (7).jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The men and women who built the village.