Silverstar, British Columbia

Silverstar, B.C. has become one of my favorite places to hang-out as a nordic skier. There's freshly groomed skiing from our back door, the people are jovial, and Sovereign is a quintessential world class racing venue. There are superlative views as depicted by Miss Valaas's photo.

This last minute trip to race Silverstar and cancellation of our plans to stay in Utah and Whistler has destroyed our team's travel budget and left us impecunious... but we are all still happy to be here, nonetheless. The village has its own funky style. According to Jeff Ellis, our trusty Canadian teammate, there was once a rule that every new house must be painted with at least five colors.
Ronsse and Rorabaugh looking as spastic as the team's condo-- thanks to Colonel Fitz for the photo.

Due to the lack of snow the races were changed to skate, but they were still held on the tortuous World Cup courses. Personally, I was disappointed with my performance in both races because I feel like I am capable of skiing much faster. I realize that I may be flat due to the high load I carried longer into the pre-season, but I hope my sedulous training in the summer and fall will pay off. There's a plethora of things I can work to improve.

It has been encouraging to see my teammates race well. Kikkan had her best distance race on the World Cup last week and my teammates with me on the NorAm circuit have been had laudable performances.
Jeff Ellis and Anders Haugen hammering down the finishing stretch of the Men's A final (Fit's photo). Jeff finished 2nd overall and Anders was 4th (2nd in the prelim) and the only American guy in the top 10. Way to go guys!


Jeff Ellis, Laura Valaas and Anders Haugen.

And then there's Laura Valaas. If Valaas doesn't inspire you, I don't know who will. Yes, Laura won each of her sprint heats--including the final-- and made it all look easy. But results aside, Miss Valaas sets a good example of how being active in the pursuit of academic and personal goals can compliment a full-time athlete's training routine. She also has a way of encouraging me to be a better athlete and person.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this ski trip even when I am not racing my best. Part of this is because I have been able to hang out with such amazing people--like Laura, Nat from New Zealand, Heather from CXC, etc. And then there's the fun factor. There are times when I think, "if any team can have as much fun together as we do, they're going to accomplish amazing things together". I felt this way on the DU team at times too. I don't find it coincidental that during the years where our entire team could amalgamate and have a ridiculous amount of fun together were also the seasons where the team won NCAAs.
Rorabaugh and Ronsse enjoying the surroundings and each others' company on our recovery ski this morning.

Becca and I have been on a mission to practice our tele turns on every downhill we can find lately. Several of my lady teammates have been great dancing buddies on this trip as well-- whether it's at the "Moguls" pub or outside in the middle of the Silverstar village street, next to the "caution: video surveillance area" sign. Our men's team has also really bonded on this trip. They band together and think they are ingenious when they ingenuously use Montreal Steak Seasoning on EVERYTHING-- including apples. Becca Rorabaugh taking in the Canadian scenery.

In the next three days there will be three races, where it won't be aberrant for athletes to pick their two favorite events out of the three offered. Tomorrow, Becca and I will be a hortatory spectators and have extra poles for the hapless racers of the mass start skate race. On Friday there will be a classic sprint and Saturday night will feature an individual start classic race.

I hope you don't find this post to be too bombastic...with the help of Laura and Becca I have been trying to aggrandize my vocab skilz. Thanks for reading!