Tomorrow Saturday, December 31st I will be competing in my first World Cup! This start has been a long time coming, and proof of all the hard work and commitment through my nordic skiing career, which over the past 2.5 years since graduating college has become my life! On Saturday I will start the infamous, 7 races in 9 days, Tour de Ski! The Tour consists of 5 distance races, and 2 sprint races. I would not be at the start line without the support of so many people, including my family, teammates and coaches, past and present, and the support of some many generous people and companies! My current coach, Andy Newell, has had the biggest impact on my career. The improvements I have made over the past three summers with him are massive. I have gone from being ranked 30th in the US, to currently being ranked 2nd!
I made The U.S. Ski Team this past spring and got to spend a total of 6 weeks with the team at training camps throughout the summer and fall. I have learned so much from my new teammates on The US Ski Team and from all the coaches and staff. Matt Whitcomb, Kristin Bourne and Greta Anderson during our on snow camp in Sweden this summer, gave me some amazing technique advice that has stuck with me through each and every practice.
Josh Smullin and Brian Tate from the Steamboat Spring Winter Sports Club have been dedicated to my skiing even after high school. They were there when I was struggling to qualify for junior nationals but believed in me and were the foundation of my nordic skiing career. Finally, I want to thank Patrick Weaver, head coach of the University of Vermont, for taking a chance on me and letting me walk onto the UVM team. I remember in an email to Patrick in highschool, I told him, I may not be one of the top 3 skiers my freshman year, but by my sophomore year I would be on the NCAA Championship squad. He gave me and chance, and cared about my skiing just as much as any other guy on the team! He helped me go from barely finishing in the top 30 on an EISA race, to fighting for the win every weekend, and landing on the podium multiple times, as well as being an NCAA All American!
No one would helped me get to the start line tomorrow than myself. I have believed in the process since day one and even through the lowest of lows, I knew I could become one of the top skiers in the US, and now I get to go prove to myself I can be a top distance skier in the world!
I am not treating these races any differently than before. I am here because I am meant to be here, and there is nothing I need to change now that I am here! I am excited, nervous, but most importantly, I am having fun. And if I keep having fun, the results will come! I look forward to keeping you all updated throughout the week, so stay tuned for race recaps, and cheer loud!
