Happy Holidays!
I’m currently writing this blog from Idre Fjäll, Sweden as we’ve commenced the 2024-25 FIS World Cup Season. We flew from the States to Ruka, Finland on November 12th, competed in the first World Cup in Ruka on November 30th, and then traveled to Idre Fjäll to compete in the next competitions. The start of my season has been really successful – I made both super finals (top 6) in the Ruka and Idre Fjäll single moguls events, placing 5th and 6th respectively. Currently, I’m ranked 5th in the world and am thrilled for the next opportunity to compete in Bakuriani, Georgia on December 20th and 21st.
Each year, we train our hearts out from May to November in hopes of it all paying off during the winter competition season. This past preparatory season was really productive and fun for me with camps in Chile, Austria, and Mt. Hood, and I’m happy to see my hard work already beginning to pay off in my first few results. I’ve incorporated a new trick into my run (a cork 720 with a grab on the top jump) and have improved both my speed and turn technique, which make up the three components of our overall score for each run that we perform.
The Ruka World Cup is always one of the most exciting events of the year since it’s the very first one and happens under the lights. This time of year, Northern Finland is extremely dark with the sun rising at 10 AM and setting at 2 PM, so while the qualification round happened during the most gorgeous sunrise I’ve ever seen, the finals were filled with a different magic under the stadium lights that line the steep and challenging course. While the snow conditions in Europe this year have been extremely icy and firm, the event was still amazing, and I put down three great runs to ultimately place 5th. My final run specifically filled me with immense pride – when I crossed the finish line, I knew it was one of the best, most fun runs I’d ever skied, and this is only the beginning. I built on that momentum for the Idre Fjäll World Cup and improved upon some mistakes I wanted to correct. While I wasn’t able to execute my last run in Idre as well as I’d hoped, I had no regrets because I was really going for it. Sometimes that’s the price you pay for leaving it all out there, and all there’s left to do is improve for next time! I also got to ski in super finals with two of my teammates in both events, and since we are all so close, it only makes the experience that much more inspiring and memorable. Overall, I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams in spectacular places with incredible people.
I couldn’t do any of this without the support of my teammates, coaches, the US Ski team, my family and friends, and of course, my community. That being said, I’m really lucky I get to call the Vail Valley my home. It’s the best place to come home to for the holidays after six weeks of competing on the road, and I can’t wait for epic powder days in the back bowls, gorgeous winter hikes, and cozy evenings at our favorite restaurants with my family.
I hope everyone enjoys the holiday season surrounded by loved ones and good vibes! Thank you so much for reading.
