The last two days have been a lesson in patience as I have been competing against the deepest fields I've ever seen at a non-World Cup event. To have 18 GS points and start around 50th the last two days has been more than a humbling experience, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday I finished 36th and today I moved up to 34th. Yesterday I was the first non-USST (U.S. Ski Team) finisher and today I was the second. Today I had a great opportunity to put it down the hill, but unfortunately first run I hip-checked (i.e. I fell on my side for a fraction of a second losing elevation and important hundredths), but there were moments of brilliance. Second run was a bit too turny and I never found the rhythm.

Tomorrow's slalom is another great opportunity. The field is even deeper, but because of some good performances last year I have enough Nor-Am points to start in the first group (the first group is the top 15 start positions, which is based off of last season's Nor-Am events rather than FIS points). I drew bib 11 and I can't wait.

My slalom skis are prepped and ready. Tomorrow there is only one option: drop the hammer and go go go (to give some of you an idea of how stacked the field is a buddy of mine with 10 points is starting 52; his world rank in slalom is under 80).

My goal is to stay in the top thirty and pick up some Nor-Am points. It's all or nothing.