Austrian’s reflect their love for skiing throughout the whole country. There is no doubt that they place a high importance on the state of their ski areas and the quality of their runs. They were very accommodating hosts for the group of rowdy competitors that took over their town.
The run in Fieberbrunn was a great face but the snow was just too thin and the conditions were only getting warmer and warmer. After a ski cutter released a pretty sizable avalanche the organizers made the call that we were headed to another Austrian town Kappl two hours from where we were. After a day of what felt like spring skiing with my Dad we headed to Kappl.
Kappl is the definition of a quaint ski town. Since we arrived pretty last minute all the competitors were scattered throughout the town. I stayed in a small hotel right off the slopes. The women who ran the hotel showed us the good old fashion Austrian hospitality. She insisted I take a photo with her and her cat and showed me the numerous stuffed animals and birds throughout the hotel!
Her husband was a big hunter…
Inspection day was the same as arrival date. It was so cloudy that you could barley see the finish much less the run for inspection. At the riders meeting we learned that the start was to be at 9:00am so as the first to go as lady skiers we had to inspect just as the sun was raising and start our hike at 8:00. Seeing as visual inspection is new to me it was a whole new element to have so little time at a completely new mountain. But we were all in the same boat even the Austrian competitors had never skied the mountain. In some sense it made it entirely equal for new and seasoned competitor because no one had experienced a competition there. Check out the FWT edit of the inspection and riders meeting.
The morning of I was shaking with nerves but ready for my run. The early morning start was beautiful and we had a slightly later start meaning we had a little more time for inspection. When I saw my line I knew I wanted to do it and am glad for sticking with my intuition.
The hike was beautiful and you could see all the way to the valley floor but it was SOOOOOO WINDY. Luckily wind is one of my favorite elements and helped keep the nerves in check.
(Windy picture taken through haber lenses to increase the intensity!)
At the top I was ready to ski my hardest, almost forgetting about the spectators and really making it all about my skiing. I was the last woman skier to drop as soon as I did drop everything was silent and the noise didn’t switch back on until I was in front of the score board waiting for my result. Waiting felt like it took forever but seeing the 2nd place ranking was worth it.
The support I got from family, friends, and other competitors was very appreciated. Thanks to Amber, Cale, Madeleine, Cathy, Nol, Katie, Mimi, Mary, Jean, Brooke, Morgan, Ed, Will, Emma, Chris Mathias, Matt and more for constantly sending me good vibes and texts.
(Also thanks for the lucky jersey!)
Of course none of this is possible without the help from my sponsors: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Crested Butte Snowsports foundation, Haber Vision, Western State Colorado University, Western Mountain Sports, Rossignol, Mountain Hardwear, CO Freeskier, and AIARE.
Now back to some school work (the amount doesn’t ever seem to get smaller…)
