The plan for my start of the race season was to head over to Mt Hotham, Australia for the first of the ANC races, however with not enough snow these races were cancelled.  Instead, our team along with the Australians who had stayed on for training, headed over to Treble Cone and Cardrona.  First races of the season are now out of the way with mixed results but it worked out well for me, with a win on my 21st! The Wanaka Tech Series started with two slalom races down Big Skite at Treble Cone on the steep pitch, pretty challenging conditions.

Mike Rishworth, Adam, Craig Marshall. Slalom

with Mark Engel

First day was a personal best result with 17.35 points and first place against some top racers.  Day two I came out in the second run while ex training buddy from Sugar Bowl days and US Athlete, Mark Engel took out gold.

Cardrona always throws out some surprises, good and bad so it was a really mixed set of results for a lot of people with the two days of giant slalom down Sluice Box.  It’s a pretty flat hill and even the slightest deviation from the best line can take seconds off.  Top racer Adam Zampa from Slovakia took out first place on day one but slipped to 6th on day two.  I made points both days with the best being 22.20 on day one.  Really enjoying a couple of days off after four days of way too early starts at 5.00am and a lot of travel.

photo Jane Sinclair

It’s been a little bit too warm and no new snow so our training area is looking a bit thin.  Working on some new HEAD boots, getting the most comfortable fit out of them ready for the next races at Coronet Peak coming up soon.