My Ski History

Similar to several other skiers I know, I grew up skiing at a very young age. I started in my dads backpack and by the time I was three I had my own skis strapped to my feet. My family and I went on day-long trips to Hatcher Pass and skied for hours, or maybe what seemed like hours to me at the time. By the time I was six, I was old enough to join the local Junior Ski Program known as the Jr. Nordic League. After a few practices I was hooked…so hooked I convinced my sisters to join me!

My family and I posing for a Christmas Ski picture in 1989

My enthusiasm for skiing did not carry me all the way through elementary school. I was more intrigued with playing soccer than skiing. By the time I was in my “cool” junior high years, I decided that I really did not like skiing and after doing my first ski race I was sure that I would never race again! While my parents did not force me to keep skiing, they encouraged me to stick with it.

My sister and I decked out in our "cool" spandex

By the time I got to high school I joined the cross-country running team and right after joined the cross-country ski team. At this point, I enjoyed these sports from more of a social aspect. The more I skied and raced, the more I learned to enjoy it. As I got better and better, I produced improving results, which fired my desire to keep skiing. My parents and coaches were very instrumental in supporting and encouraging me and they continue to do so to this day!

Racing for East High School my freshman year

After completing four years of racing on one of the best high school ski teams in the state, I decided to continue my ski ambitions as I pursued college. After skiing one year for Alaska Pacific University, I transferred to the University of Alaska Anchorage and skied for four successful years. Each year I produced improving results. As a result of my performances, I was asked to join an elite Olympic Development Team in Sun Valley, Idaho when I completed school.

That is where I am today! I currently live and train in Sun Valley and I am a member of the Sun Valley Olympic Development Team. I can honestly tell you that I am very passionate about skiing and I am so thankful my parents introduced me to the sport and encouraged me to stick with it!

My First World Cup!

This past weekend I raced in my first World Cup in Whistler B.C.! Despite a smaller than usual field of racers, the competition was strong and fierce! I raced in the classic sprint on Friday with hopes of qualifying for the rounds with a top-30. Unfortunately, I did not ski anywhere fast enough and saw my name at the bottom of the prelim results.

Start of classic sprint quarterfinals.

In my mind, I used the classic sprint as a warm-up for the 15k duathlon race on Saturday. A duathlon race is where you ski the first half of the race with classic gear and then you switch to skate gear for the last half of the race. The night before the race I talked to my coach about the duathlon race and he simply told me to ski my own race. He told me not to let my adrenaline push me for the first couple kilometers of the race, but to ski where I felt comfortable. I have to admit I had a lot of adrenaline pumping when I was at the starting line and had to force myself to hold back! I went out with the pack and stuck with the top American skiers throughout the classic portion of the race. At the exchange zone I was the 2nd American, 3 seconds out! I went into the skate leg still feeling pretty good but realizing that I was only half way through the race. The course was lined with spectators and the cheering was loud! It was exciting to hear people cheer my name all over the course. Someone informed me that I was in 30th place...the last place to score world cup points! I knew I had to finish strong in order to hold my position. With less than one kilometer to go, I powered as hard as I could to the finish…just 2 seconds ahead of 31sts! Yay, I scored my first world cup points! I was happy with my result.

View of men's sprint relay through the stadium.

With the sun blazing and temperatures in the 40's, I watched the sprint relay on Sunday. The women's final was very exciting. Sprint partners Kikkan Randall and Liz Stephens, skied to an amazing 4th place finish! The best sprint relay finish by American women! It was very fun to watch!

Crystal clear veiw of Black Tusk.

I am back in Sun Valley for a few days before heading to the Midwest for a few SuperTour races next week. In the meantime, I will get in some good training in the sun!

All for now!

U.S. Nationals Recap

Quite a bit has happened since my last blog! To catch you up to date, I will continue where I left off…

Monday, January 5- Temperatures warmed up to -3 F and we were able to race the 5k skate. With built up excitement and energy from the previous two days of not racing, I bolted out that start gate. A 5k race is short and I pushed every part of the course. I ended up in 12^th place, just 4 seconds from 10^th!

Tuesday, January 6- Woke up to another day of subzero weather! The race got delayed two times. I began my warm-up and soon found out that they canceled the race. Another day gone! Due to the cold weather, I chose to run indoors on the treadmill. It was a good little L3 workout and it felt good to run.

Kate Arduer and Laura Valaas waiting to hear if the race is on.

Wednesday, January 7- Even colder today…-18 F at my house this morning! Races were canceled and this time I didn’t even have to go out to the race venue. I ran on an indoor track at the “Dome.” My workout included a 1x5min L3 with 6x15 sec speeds. Feeling ready to go!

The dome has 4 soccer fields and has the largest indoor track in North America.

Thursday, January 8- Woke up to a -12 F…knew there was a possibility of racing! Went out to Kincaid at 12:30pm and heard the word that the race was on! I immediately was in race mode and began my warm-up. Along with a temperature of -3 today, there was a wind chill which created a temperature of -25 F!!! Brrr, it was cold! I completed the qualifying found feeling like I had gone slow. Without knowing where I ended up, I began my cool-down. When I returned to the stadium, my name was posted in 7^th! I was very pleased and figured that if I felt slow and got 7^th, then I could got fast in the rounds. I ended up 9^th overall. I was pleased with my result…I wasn’t expecting that in a classic sprint of all races!

That evening the pre-olympic world cup team was announced. I was not sure if I made it, but was excited to hear my name announced!

Friday, January 9- Woke up and didn’t have to mentally and physically prepare of a race! I enjoyed an easy distance ski on some of my favorite trails at Kincaid. Friday evening I helped out with an event called Fast and Female. This event was for 9-19 year old girls and it included a ski session from elite female skiers, snacks, inspirational speeches, videos and autograph signing. It was a huge success! There were over 160 girl participants.

All 160 Fast and Female participants and the 25 elite female skiers who volunteered.

Posing for a picture with Jamie and Annie.

Saturday, January 10- I raced in the 10k classic UAA invitational at Kincaid. I felt pretty sore and tired going into the race but thought I might be able to ski it off…that did not happen. I finished 10^th despite feeling flat and tired.

Sunday, January 11- Took today pretty easy. I still felt a little tired and sore from the races. Resting up for next week!

Monday, January 12- It finally warmed up to above zero! It’s 13 F today! I went for an easy distance ski.

Tuesday, January 13- Left Anchorage and flew to Whistler.

Wednesday, January 14- I was informed that I get to race the pursuit race as well as the classic sprint this weekend at the World Cups in Whistler. Yay! I skied the pursuit course and included some speeds. I am feeling good and I’m very excited to be here! It is sunny and 32 degrees!

Thursday, January 15- Tested skis at the venue…it is full on klister conditions. Getting ready to race tomorrow!

Tomorrow I race in the classic sprint race. I am very excited to race in my first world cup and I am aiming for a top-30 tomorrow!

No Go!

It’s another subzero day in Anchorage! After yesterday’s race being canceled due to cold weather, we are giving it another try today. It is currently -13 degrees at Kincaid and the 11:30 am start scheduled for today has been delayed to 1:30 pm this afternoon. We will see if it warms up 9 degrees!
Despite the frigid temperatures, it has been beautiful up here! I guess thats easy to say that when you are from Alaska. This past week has brought a brutal week of subzero temperatures, well below the average temperature for this time of year. I’m not sure why Anchorage seems to be cursed every time we have a big ski event up here…either there is not enough snow and it rains or it is really cold. If I had to pick between the two, I would definitely prefer the cold weather over the warm, rainy weather. Think of it this way, it makes for easy waxing.

Hopefully temperatures will warm up as the week goes on. I will keep you posted on how things unfold.