Are, Sweden

Before heading to Europe we went to Panorama for a few Nor Am races. I raced these races for a number of reasons including lowering my points in GS, Super G and Super Combi, however I also switched to a different Rossignol slalom ski recently.

It was very fun racing the Super G. I had no pressure, and it was good to feel the wind in my face a little bit. I say a little bit because the Super G started quite a bit lower than usual and was quite short.

On the Super G, I surprisingly moved from 40th to 3rd! 

(photo credit for these 3: freshshots.com)

The slalom portion of the super combined was very tough! I ended up winning the super combined, which was the first one in 3 years that I finished! 

The GS days were filled with learning and trying to bring it what I learned from our training this summer. Panorama is an easy hill that becomes very hard to race due to the soft snow and fairly flat terrain. I raced hard and ended up 3rd on both of those days.

After our races in Panorama we headed to Are, Sweden! 

It got dark quite early in Sweden because it is so far north, but it's beauty never ceases to amaze me.

Before the race, I went to walk around town a little bit. 

I have always loved Are and it has always brought with it such an extreme of emotions.

Last year Mitch podiumed in Are for the first time in her career!!! It was an amazing day and she skied like a rock star.

However, last year in Are, I straddled. 

[Shattered glass and frosted panes
Alter the image beneath
Warped lines and distorted shapes
Morphing into one another
Unknowing, untelling, undefined
Blurry to the clearest of eyes]

(I wrote this when I couldn't sleep on the bus back from Are)

However, this year was a new season, bringing new things; new sun rises, fresh snow and beautiful places)

(photo credit for the next few: Eve Routhier)

Before the race we had a few days of training on the warm up hill.

Even though it was quite icy and difficult, we all had a lot of fun! .... photo bombing Martin

But then he threw my pole.

                                                                                                                See pole here >>

I started number 18 on race day. When I got into the start, I looked out at the lights and everything seemed so simple. There was a course in front of me and I got to ski it. I ended up 5th on the first run! 

I was a bit nervous on the second run, regarding my last two races, etc. I skied hard, but I held back the slightest little bit. I came through the finish line relieved; relieved and happy that I had come down with the green light, ensuring that I was guaranteed a 5th place finish.

My happy face is attractive, agreed?

Mikaela Shiffrin won her first race at 17 years old! It's nice to have her smiling face around pushing us all to be our best. Britt Phelan finished in the points yet again and experienced her first race standing in the leader corner! (photo: Eve Routhier)

Lastly, I want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you get to spend it with loved ones. It is hard for us on the road, but I know I am lucky to have amazing people waiting to celebrate with me in February when I head home. Hug your friends and family a little tighter today, because I wish I could!