Listen Feel Listen

Hello Tree Hugger's! The season has started, but I wouldn't say it's in full swing. Eric Hayes, a memorial race, held on my home hill has been moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Mother Nature hasn't been bringing us the snow needed to hold some training on home turf. Therefore, going into the race next week is going to be an eye opener. I'm thinking...new skis, new radius, different venue, no gate training...how am I going to pull this one off? Keeping my mind in the right place even if things don't work out will be important. Luck won't cut it, just approaching it just alike you've been in the flow for a while. There's some nerve coming into racer ready...10...5...4...3...2...1 Go! This will be a completely different situation than ever before. It's time to make the best of it; take advantage of scared and complaining teammates.  Put everything out there, and tree's will always be there.  Something that doesn't make a sound unless someone is there to listen.

Changes have been made and my skiing is completely different. Being able to work with some of the same coaches, but also different perspectives has been game changing. New topics have arisen and been THE FOCUS. I've been working on a narrower stance and flexion. Let me explain, through my exploration during the 2 weeks of free skiing I have gotten a better understanding of EVERYTHING! Through drills incorporating stance I have learned having to big of a stance will only allow so much angulation, and too narrow same thing. Keeping my stance narrower will allow better positioning for flexion and movement. Along with easier and full angulation. That is if I keep from dropping my hip into the turn and pressure too quickly. To do this I need to become more square and trusting the ski. My 185 FIS GS with a 27 meter radius skis are all about feel. Listening to the ski, and you'll know whether your doing something correct or wrong immediately. There's very little forgiveness.

Teammates are always there, just like trees! PC: PCMR

I have come to realization. The better your understanding of skiing the better you can assess yourself.  Your best coach will always be you. Someone can tell you everything it looks like you need to fix, but they will never feel for you. Watching teammates and assessing them will help you understand better, and they may be a good example for something that you are currently working on. Let's say someone has the same focus, and they are able to get it.  You could always watch and ask how they were able to achieve the same thing. "Ski racing: 3% talent, 4% environment, 34% passion, 59% effort." -SMS It has been an amazing few weeks, the skiings been productive, the snow has been cooperative, but I will tell you skiing the same green and blue 4 runs gets old quickly.  PRAY FOR SNOW!

BISOUS,

LYSS