Although it wasn't a triumphant day, it still felt like one.

To give you all an idea of what transpired on the Beaver Creek slalom course during my 1:07:87 seconds run- it went a little something like this…

I jumped out of the gate with the all or nothing attitude realizing I didn't have anything to lose. The course was choppy and rutty after
68 damn good skiers took a shot at her before it was my turn. I went out of the gate pinning it as hard as I could, which is never a good idea on such an icy, steep, and rutty course, but I didn't care. The rhythm was quick and after five gates of generating speed on the pitch I jetted out of a right footed turn losing valuable time. The course report (the coaches on the hill radio a course report up to us before we start to give us an idea of what to expect) was to finish and stay in it at all costs so I did. The next two sections I dropped the hammer and skied really well trying to make up time from my mistake at the top, but I pushed too hard. Coming out of a combination on a roll at the end of the course I tried to cut off the line and ended up leaning in on my hip and slid past the next gate. At that moment I realized it was the end and all I could do was give the college try (hike and smile the rest of the way down). So I finished way off the pace, but it didn't matter.

It was not a glorious day, but it certainly was a moral victory. The
experience alone was priceless and it's given me a new respect for the sport.

Not to mention all of the extra perks I picked up over the last few days (new skis, helmets, goggles, GS suits, among other things).

I'm home for a few days to rest, do some dryland, and wax my Super G skis for two Nor- Am SGs at Panorama which is just outside of Calgary.

Take care and it's nice to be home. w