My Northern Hemisphere season is at an end and I am enjoying being back home in Queenstown. I had some amazing experiences attending my first Olympics, met goals and once again met amazing people and visited some great places. Thank you to all my sponsors and supporters who make this possible, especially my parents. Huge thanks to my coach, Nils Coberger who goes the extra mile – looking forward to the coming seasons. Also many thanks to Zobri Trust, Adastra Foundation, Community Trust of Southland, Skeggs Foundadion, Wanaka Ski & Snowsports Club, Guenther Raedler, Hefin & Christine, Snowvision & Browns Ski Shop, NZ Skimasters, XTM, POC Australia & NZ, HEAD, Komperdell, Alpine Health & Fitness Queenstown, NZSki.com, and all my supporters out there. I’ve put together a few photo below from my time in Europe and Sochi, enjoy!
Tag Archives: Sochi
The Olympics
What an amazing experience it has been to race at my first Olympics. From my arrival in Sochi through to the closing ceremony, I have enjoyed the full experience. Many thanks to all those on the team who supported me – Ginny Rutledge for the physio, Chris Mosaed for ski prep and support, and all the staff involved behind the scenes making life run smoothly for all of the athletes.
The slalom was my final event and consisted of a night race on the 22nd February. First run started 4.45pm but it took a bit of time to my start with bib 63 out of a field of 117. Moved up a few spots to 50 for the second run which was quite late with my run around 9.00pm. The 2nd course set was by Croatian Ante Kostelic and had a very high attrition rate from many of the top guys through to the last. I had a plan but ended up just surviving and was very pleased to place 25th at the end of the night.
The giant slalom race was on the 19th with 109 competitors from all over the world and I finished in 44th position. By the time my run started the conditions were quite rough and the course was very long. I was happy with my second run and in general with the course – stoked to have finished where I did in this Olympics. My body felt pretty sore by evening from the bumpy ride and the long day.
Another new experience was the volume of interviews that had to be done.
Now back in Austria and will be getting back into a busy race schedule over this next week.
Sochi – First week
After a very long day from leaving Saalfelden, Austria 6.00am to Munich, flying Air Siberia (with a hefty excess luggage fee) via Moscow, I’ve arrived safely to the New Zealand House in Sochi in the early hours of the following morning. Pretty neat set up, lots of good gear from MonsRoyale, Peak and Samsung and working internet in the bedroom we’re good to go! Have had a bit of a chance to walk around and get my bearings then training got underway the following morning before the Opening Ceremony in the evening. What a fantastic feeling to be part of such a Ceremony! Definitely not something I will ever forget. Back on the bus at midnight to take us back to Kiwi House.
2014 Olympics – Sochi, Russia
Final count down is on as I pack my bags ready for the journey to Russia! I will arrive in the early hours of the morning which I’m not looking forward to but I will be in Sochi in time for the opening ceremony which will be an amazing experience.
There are complicated regulations around what athletes can and can not do during the Olympics. Because of this I may not post a great deal over the next few weeks but hopefully I can get a few pictures to put up here or at least on my facebook athlete page.
I have had an amazing journey getting to where I am today and it would not have been possible without the support and generosity of so many people, sponsors and coaches along the way, thank you one and all, and especially my parents, Marty and Anne and my coach Nils Coberger.
2014 Olympics, Sochi Russia
It’s official! I have been named to the 2014 New Zealand Olympic team. Super excited to ski as fast as I can in Sochi. A big thank you to all who have helped me along the journey. I will be racing the slalom and Giant slalom and will be leaving on the 5th February from Austria.
In the lead up to my departure I have several more races that I will be competing in including my World Cup debut in the slalom night race at Schladming in 4 days time, which will be another amazing experience. Then two FIS races in Piesendorf. As well as races I will have a few more training days at Reiteralm and Hinterreit.