U.S Training

Training is going well here at Lake Tahoe, California.
The majority of my training so far has been my favourite discipline Slalom, we've been training gates four days a week on the Alpine Meadows Race Arena, a great facility closed to the public.
Snow conditions are lacking as far as free skiing goes but are perfect, hard and fast for Slalom Training, just the way I like it :)

New Boots / Thanks Dalbello

I trained G.S today at Squaw Valley breaking out my new Dalbello Scorpion Boots care of a Race Department Sponsorship direct from the factory in Italy.

The difference is amazing, they are much quicker edge to edge with a very precise fit and much closer contact to the ski.

I then headed over to the Start Haus in Truckee for a custom footbed fitting this afternoon and can't wait to head out again tomorrow to see the improvements.

Merry Christmas everyone, be sure to make some turns on Christmas Day :)

Training In The U.S

We arrived in the U.S on Friday afternoon and after a reasonably uneventful drive from San Francisco across to Tahoe City we settled in and got some rest.

I've been training SL at Alpine Meadows for the past two days, conditions are perfect with hard packed snow, two courses set one after another in the shade and a dedicated chairlift just for the race course!

I've made some new friends and worked hard over the past couple of days so I'm feeling happy with where I'm at after three months away from the snow.

We're training G.S  at Squaw Valley tomorrow then a couple of days off for Christmas, I'm looking forward to skiing with the family on Christmas Day :)

Summer Training

Thanks to my amazing Trainer Braden Lee at Fight Science here in Queenstown for keeping me

in shape before heading away to Squaw Valley in a couple of weeks...

Thanks Dalbello

I'm stoked with my new Dalbello Boot Sponsorship direct from the Race Department at the factory in Italy.

It will be interesting to feel the difference skiing in a full blown race boot once I get to Squaw Valley in a couple of weeks time.

Thanks Reno, Ivan and the Race Dept Team at Dalbello :)

The Daniel Keys Foundation

Wow, I'm so proud to be the recipient of the 2013 Daniel Keys Foundation Grant, I've been awarded funding by the Foundation to help out with my training costs in the U.S this summer.
The Daniel Keys Foundation is a Charitable Trust that supports and encourages young people throughout New Zealand, motivating them to push the limits of ones capability, achieve personal goals and chase their dreams!

Audi FIS World Cup 2013/14

Wow it was so cool to see the first Audi World Cup Race from Soelden last night, so inspiring, can't wait to be back on snow...

Squaw Valley

Eight weeks and counting until I head away to Squaw Valley, California for the Summer.
Really looking forward to a White Christmas, training in a new environment, racing in the U.S and making some new friends :)

Spring Training

Now that all racing has wound up for the NZ season and I've had a good weeks rest it's back into the gym twice a week with my amazing trainer Braden Lee mixed up with some cardio and core classes with my Mum.
So cool to be training alongside my Mum :)

Mikaela Shiffrin

So cool to have met Mikaela Shiffrin earlier in the season when she was training SL right beside us at Coronet Peak.
Thanks for your inspirational advice and encouragement Mikaela, you'd have to say it certainly paid off!

2013 Sponsors

I want to say a big thank you to my 2013 Sponsors - Gerald from Bobo Sports / Dynastar New Zealand, Ivan from Outside Sports Queenstown, Davey from Atlas Cafe Queenstown and of course my Parents ( MAP Productions Queenstown ) for always being there to support me and drive me forward :)
Your support and belief in me has been both awesome and inspiring allowing me to achieve my goals and perform to the best of my ability throughout the season.
Here's hoping your generosity extends into 2014 and beyond.

Squaw Valley 2013 /2014

A weeks rest and some fun with non skiing friends in the last week of the school holidays then it's back into the gym before heading away to the U.S / Squaw Valley on December 20th to train and race with the Squaw Valley Ski Team, can't wait....

South Island Champs / National Points Races Mt Hutt

The Final Round of competition for the 2013 Season took place at Mt Hutt over the weekend with the South Island Champs taking place on Saturday and the last of the National Points Races on Sunday.
With spring conditions the decision was made to race Slalom on both days which very much suited me as SL is my strength :)
After the first run on Saturday I was in 1st place but my QAST team mates Alice Robinson and Alex Hull both skied exceptionally well, both with faster second run times than me which pushed me back to 3rd place and a Bronze Medal Podium finish with just 0.41 seconds separating the three of us!
After the first race on Sunday I found myself once again in 1st place with a fraction of a second ( 0.12 sec ) lead over my team mate Sophie Thompson, the second run saw my QAST team mate Alice Robinson ski a phenomenal run to take another 1st placing pushing me into 2nd place and a Silver Medal Podium finish with Sophie T finishing in 3rd place - QASTies take all three podium positions on both days, well done girls.
A great weekend of competitive ski racing and team fun, thanks Mt Hutt for a great event :)

National Youth Series - Cardrona SL

What An Amazing Day :)
We raced the Final Round of the National Youth Series Slalom Races which also combined as the New Zealand National Title Race at Cardrona on Saturday in tough, spring conditions!
The first course set was quite technical the second course flowed more I thought both suited me and I put in two solid runs.
After two tough runs ( A 2nd & 3rd placing ) I finished 3rd Overall picking up a NYS SL Bronze Medal.
Taking into account my National Slalom Points ( 80 Points after Round One at Coronet Peak ) and with Round Two at Mt Hutt cancelled due to bad weather it all came down to this Last Round at Cardrona!
My overall 3rd place finish gave me another 60 Points therefore I finished the NYS with a combined Slalom Points Total of 140 Points enough to take out the Joint 1st Place U14 Ladies New Zealand National Title with my QAST team mate Alex Hull, no better way to wrap up the season than with a National Title.

National Youth Series - Cardrona Super G

Some very early starts ( 5:15am ) made for some long days during the Third and Final Round of the National Youth Series Races held at Cardrona last week.
We raced Super G early on Friday morning to ensure we got the speed event finished before the snow deteriorated, it was a well set course raced in good visibility.
With Super G not my strongest event I finished in 6th place with work still to do!
Overall I'm happy with most things just need to dial into speed mode a little more, only 1.05 seconds off a podium finish :)

Cardrona Interfield Race

All started well with an early alarm, a good breakfast and Dad and I got away early to Cardrona.
It wasn't until I got into the Cardrona Base Building that we realised I'd forgotten my ski boot shells!
Good ole Dad made a quick trip back across the Crown Range to meet Mum for a tag team hand over and then back to Cardrona in time for course inspection, whew....
Racing got underway but wasn't the easiest on wet, slushy spring snow with variable visibility for the first run, the second run was delayed while a well coordinated course slip and salting took place, surprisingly we then raced on a reasonably good surface :)
My performance was average, we're still awaiting official times but I think I placed either 6th or 7th which was a bit disappointing but not as bad as Dad losing the car keys.....
Overall a disastrous day from start to finish!

Crazy Weather!

Wow, what a crazy week of mixed weather, snow, rain, wind, thunder and lightening and now snow again....!
It all makes for an interesting week of training but none the less we've managed to train all scheduled days except one this week.
The Remarkables turned on excellent conditions for Slalom training yesterday and with 7cm of fresh snow at Coronet Peak overnight training there today should be fun too.
I can feel an Atlas Steak coming on tonight, oh yeah :)

SG and GS Training At Coronet Peak

A really great day of SG and GS training at Coronet Peak today.
My new Super G Skis were so amazing, so stable and so fast.....!
Thanks Gerald, Bobo Products and Dynastar New Zealand :)

Southern Region Inter - Field Races / Remarkables Dual SL

After a week of ideal training conditions at the Remarkables we raced a Dual SL on Sunday.
A good field of U14 Girls ran both courses with close results, just 2.41 seconds between the 1st and 5th placed podium positions.
The U14 / QAST Girls did well picking up four out of the five medals with a fifth placing going my way.
Next up are the Southern Inter - Field Races at Cardrona.... :)

Training At The Remarkables

I'll be training at The Remarkables Ski Area this week in preparation for the second Southern Region Inter-Field Dual GS Race on Sunday 25th August.
I'm looking forward to a good week of training and a pleasing result this coming weekend....
Happy Birthday for tomorrow to my wonderful coach Celine :)

Round Two NYS - Mt Hutt - GS / SL

Gurrrrrr!
Both the GS ( Saturday ) and the SL ( Sunday ) events were cancelled due to poor visibility and very wet snow conditions, a little frustrating but that's ski racing....
Next up is the Southern Region Inter-Field Race ( Dual GS ) at The Remarkables next Sunday, hopefully we get some cold weather before then!
Thanks to our Coaches for a great trip to Mt Hutt and doing an excellent job on and off the mountain.

Round Two NYS SuperG Mt Hutt

Surprisingly today dawned calm and warm allowing for ideal race conditions!
I on the other hand wasn't on fire, I skied OK managing a 9th in my first race and a 10th in the second race, not my finest day on snow by any means but none the less two clear runs in a new race environment so happy with some aspects but still a lot of work to do on my Super G....!
My QAST team mates all skied well, especially Alice, Alex, Rose, Sophie and Carmella, well done girls.
We're scheduled to race GS tomorrow but lets see what the day brings in terms of weather, it may be a SL day instead :)

Two Day Speed Camp - Mt Hutt

After a day and a half of Speed / Super G Training in almost perfect conditions on dry, hard packed snow with excellent visibility at Mt Hutt and considering I haven't really trained or raced Super G since my last speed event at SilverStar in Canada ( 4th Place ) back in February, I'm feeling pretty good with where I'm currently at :)

The QAST team trained and worked hard yesterday and again today until lift operations were halted due to near gale force NW winds so we bailed back to Methven for an afternoon of Dry Land Training before Mum and Dad arrived to pick me up.

We relocated for some pre race day home comforts, roast lamb, a soak in a hot bath and a Coronation Street session on the tele at the apartment at Terrace Downs.

Fingers crossed for less wind and clear skies tomorrow allowing the races to get underway.

I'm heading to bed for an early night while my ski man ( Dad ) tunes my race skis for morning :)

More tomorrow....  

Mt Hutt Speed Camp / NZ National Youth Series Round Two

I'm soooo excited to be heading to Mt Hutt with my QAST team mates tomorrow for a Super G Speed Camp ( Wednesday / Thursday ) and then Round Two of the New Zealand National Youth Series

Races will be held at Mt Hutt over three days.
Super G - Friday.
GS - Saturday.
SL - Sunday.

Fingers and toes crossed for good weather / racing conditions and hopefully another podium finish....

Southern Region Inter-Field Race - Treble Cone

Another good week of training on hard, compact snow at Coronet Peak and some last minute gate training at The Remark's was a good way to prepare for the second, Southern Regional Inter-Field Race at Treble Cone yesterday.
We raced in good conditions, had loads of fun and some stiff competition from the other U14 girls from the Southern Region.
I was pretty happy with my two combined run times picking up a 5th place medal and making progress with my GS skills, small improvements and hard work are starting to pay off...
Looking for to Mt Hutt next week :)

Julia Mancuso

Wow, spent some time riding the T-Bar at Coronet Peak last week with my idol Julia Mancuso!
Jules gave me some good advice, signed my helmet and wished me luck with my season :)
So cool to be surrounded by such legends while training myself...
Thanks Jules, and all the best for your upcoming season and the 2014 Winter Olympics!

QAST U14 Girls / Ted Ligety

Midweek training at Coronet Peak saw Myself, Alice, Alex and Rose bump into the current Men's World Cup Champion Ted Ligety training with the U.S Team.

It's very inspirational to be training alongside the best in the skiing world!

New Zealand National Youth Series - Round One Coronet Peak

Round One of the New Zealand National Youth Series was held over three days ( Aug 2nd - Aug 4th ) at Coronet Peak.

I raced in both GS and SL events against the best U14 athletes from throughout NZ, Chinese Taipei and South Korea, the conditions we testing to say the least but we all raced well on long, testing GS and SL courses over the three days of competition.

My GS result was an average performance but I ticked off a few goals and felt happy with my overall early season performance picking up a 7th place on Day One and an 11th place on Day Two.

My SL result was a lot better, finishing in 2nd place after two clear runs on a long, tough course that challenged a lot of very good SL skiers.

Overall a great three days of competition, lots of laughs and tons of fun :)

QAST Junior Academy Training - Coronet Peak

Hi there;
Here's an update on my season thus far - I've been training with the Queenstown Alpine Ski Teams Junior Academy Programme five days a week ( Tues / Wed / Thurs / Sat / Sun ), we train mostly at Coronet Peak but also at times across the valley at The Remarkables.

I train from 8am to 12 Noon during the week then head back to school after lunch and then catch up on my school work in the afternoons while at home, training takes place from 8am to 2:30pm on weekends.

Queenstown Primary School and my teacher are really supportive of my training schedule and I work pretty hard to maintain my grades, staying up to speed with my school work via my laptop and the  QPS internal Ultra-Net System.

Generally the snow has been pretty good for race training and considering the lack of regular snow fall the NZSki Race Dept has done a fantastic job of keeping the snow that we do have in great shape allowing us to train and race as scheduled.

We've had a fairly balanced training schedule so far this season with an even mix of both Slalom and Giant Slalom gates and technical drills and also some speed ( Super G ) work too.
Our Coaching Team is amazing and it's great to be part of a hard working team that's focused on achieving our goals, making podiums and getting results :)

Hi there

Mikaela Shiffrin and me

Welcome to my new blog! I'll be posting regular updates here about my progress on the NZ Junior Ski Racing Circuit and about my skiing in general.

To start off, here's a picture of someone I was very pleased to meet the other day... 

US Ski Team member, Mikaela Shiffrin! 
Mikaela won the Slalom Gold Medal at the World Champs in Schladming, Austria this year along with three World Cup SL Medals in the 2012/13 season.  An inspiring person to bump into whilst training at Coronet Peak for sure!