by Kimberly Joines on Tuesday December 29 2009
Hey Rossland,
I hope that your Christmas holidays all went extraordinarily well! I ate too much turkey of course… and continue to. As the family guests are heading out of town, I thought I should take a spare moment to catch up with you. In a week I will be heading to Europe for the first part of the World Cup Tour; so it may be a while before I have the chance to write again.
Since my last entry, I endured another ski camp at Panorama. I say endured because the temperature on the ski hill was -29 (before wind chill) for 3 days straight, preceded by one at -25 and followed by a balmy -22. Nothing like a little athletic tape across your face to avoid the frostbite.
My usual strapping process creates a situation where I am cold before I even start, so in an effort to get more runs in I spent the week strapping in while inside (ski and all attached), then my staff would throw me on a luggage cart and straight out to the snow; I love making a spectacle of myself!
I managed to work out a couple of more kinks with my gear and actually spend a few days skiing. Yes, I was skiing in previous camps, but when you adjust something every run, it doesn’t do much for building the miles. My shoulder did not bother me too badly while I skied… just the rest of the time. Maybe I should just ski for 12 hours a day; then I could live pain free!
Over the past 10 days I have spent some time at Red Mountain: in the rain, in the powder, and above the Kootenay sea… it’s always nice to ride at home! I’m trying to be on for a couple, off for a couple, to make sure I get some rest before race season.
I leave to Austria for the first two (primarily technical) races of the World Cup circuit on Jan 3rd. From there we will head to Sestriere, Italy for a few speed events. It should be a comfort to put on the long boards on a hill I am so familiar with; I think this is the 5th time I will have raced in Sestriere. I will be back in Rossland at the end of January just in time for the best snow of the season, I am sure!
For anyone paying attention to the Rossland Olympic Challenge… Please save the date and look for flyers: January 30th !!! This will be the final event, and a big party for George and I at the Miner’s Hall. There will be music by many of the local favorites, bevies, draw prizes, etc. Please drag out everyone you know, and come out to support us. I will be there, having just returned from being on tour, and would love the opportunity to party with everyone before the big event~!
Bye for now. Wishing you all the best for the New Year,
Kimberly
