Tuesday we got to do some warm up runs and then we inspected the course. We then had two practice runs that day. My first time down the downhill course I ran a 1.58.00. Pretty slow if I do say so myself but it was the first time I had ever run a downhill course. Here is my first start.
Wednesday was the same as Tuesday with an inspection and then two practice runs. I brought my time down to a 1.39.00 but it was still relatively slow. The top guys did it in about 1.08.00. Here is the start gate and then the last group of guys waiting for their turn to go.
Thursday was the downhill races. My first run I slipped out and fell and did not finish. My second run I was around another 1.39.00. Great experience on my first race in a ski.
On Friday we raced Super G. The difference between downhill and super g is the gates are closer together in super g and the turns helped me feel a little more comfortable. My first race time was a 1.33.00 and my second was a 1.28.00. The best part of the super g races was the fact that I was no longer last place. Here is Arly in the start corral.
Here is Arly on the first couple of gates.
It was a great week of training, racing and learning from the guys in the sit skis and the coaches giving feedback. Here is the downhill podium for the second race. First and Second were from Canada and then Third place was Tyler from the States.
We were able to train with a group from Aspen and really developed our skills. I learned so much and now I might be hooked to this racing thing so we will see. Here is my favorite picture though and one that never gets old to me. We had about 20 guys in sit skis and at no time do any of these guys ever feel sorry that they are in chairs but we hop in strap up and ski it on the mountain all day and the rest of our wheels just get a rest. Skiing has been the most freeing, enjoyable and biggest learning experience. I love what I do and am doing what I love. It was a great week skiing for sure.
Sweet man looks like a lot of fun
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