Hinterstoder, Austria - We’re here in Hinterstoder the site of the last GS before World Champs in two weeks. The last month of racing Europa Cup and FIS races was mighty painful for this guy. However, after Meribel we had three good days of training in Hinterreit. I found a new focus and went back to my old model GS ski. The last month I got pretty lost. It’s quite easy to do that as a GS skier in January when there aren’t any races that really matter and you’re constantly rotating thru different groups of athletes and coaches. I was convinced a different model of GS skis was better, but I was wrong. At least for me, they were fast, but not very forgiving. Oh well. The last few days, I watched a lot of video mostly of French guys that are killing GS right now and a little of me. They are skiing really open in their stance – especially at and after the gate – and are even skiing with some counter at the top of the turn. So that’s what I’m working on and it feels pretty good so far. It’s really nice to have a new focus and feel like I’m coming out of the woods.

This season my best results have come after bad training and races so I’m not too worried and just fired up to get after it tomorrow.

Tommy Ford had a career day today when he finished 11^th in the SG here after starting in the 60s and Bode was on the podium for the second time this season so it was a good day for the Americans tech team. The race hill here is pretty flat with only one relatively steep pitch right out of the gate. It suits me so it should be a fun one.

Hope all is well. Time to make things happen. w