WRIST SURGERY

Photo Creds: the one and only mom.

Hello Tree Huggers, as some of you may know, I have been struggling with an injury to my wrist for a while now. Since, now I'm feeling slightly better I will give you an update. On last Friday, I went in to Park City Medical Center for wrist Surgery by Karen Heiden. I was in the OR for over two hours, but the result was good. Actually the best it possibly could've been. Which was good to hear, but she needed to repair some things that weren't expected. However, now I am on the road to recovery and ready to become stronger than ever!!

This is how it all went down. Last year, in Hawaii, I broke my scaphoid but there was other damage. Which we found out about a while ago, but skiing was more important and this wasn't urgent. In fact, we were trying to avoid surgery completely. That didn't work out so well so here I am having surgery and of course already trying to push it. Oops. I may need to be casted but not sure yet. If not, then a removable hard costume brace for a while. For rehab, I am waiting for the 6 week post op date to come to start strengthening. That is right when dryland starts so there may need to be some modification. 

FAREWELL 2014/2015 SEASON

I visited my team at ski testing the day after surgery, obviously drugged up and ready to go skiing even though I unfortunately can't. However, I went to get some coaches gifts together and take a look at the new skis. Cam, we won't be putting our pants down anytime soon! And farewell to Cam, Tina, and Colleen. Thank you to all my teammates for making this year amazing. Good luck next season to all the first years, and can't wait to spend another year with my 99 besties. That's a wrap and it's been rad winter! 

I AM A PARK CITY FIS WOMEN! OMG! I still remember those days looking up to them and thinking wow I would be lucky to ever get there. Well here I am, and even though I just had surgery I will be working with the team starting on June 1st for dryland. I will let you know my summer plan and plan for the upcoming years. I am lucky to be a freshie now so I will have 3 years still in school and skiing! Looking forward to see what the future brings but for now I'm going to live in the moment. 

BISOUS,

LYSS

Red Course, Ready? Blue Course, Ready? Go!

Hello Tree Huggers! Unfortunately, today is my last day here in Winter Park. Today I am dualing it out! Exciting right? Well, the course is a whole 13 paneled slalom gates. Anyway it was a really fun time! We didn't race for points but just for fun. We missed the point on costumes, but had a great time anyway.

See you later WINTER PARK!

The red and blue course were supposably the same, but the blue course had a very large roll and more of a left fall away. The course was set 15 meters gate to gate. The blue course was faster for qualifying but the red was faster in the brackets. This is how it all worked. For qualifying everyone runs the course. Then they take the top 16 from the red course and top 16 from the blue house. For the brackets they put the top 32 into a paired bracket then those kids run the course again. When there is a tie the racers have to race again. The first two rounds are done by time. Then they run head to head by eliminating from 16 to 8, 8 to 4, 4 to 2, and then 2 to the winner!

Overall Winter Park was absolutely gorgeous with incredible and lucky weather. There was supposed to be rain, but that ended up becoming sunny! No we are back into training for Last Chance at Snowbird. Last Chance will have 2 Super-G's, 2 GS, and 2 Slaloms. That series will be over our spring break from the 7th to the 12th. Then we are off season for skiing but it's time for wrist surgery then moving into the off season conditioning!

BISOUS,
LYSS

Probably the Longest Slalom Ever!

Hello Tree Huggers! Again I am in Winter Park, Colorado for the SmartWool series! Today we raced slalom, and luckily the women's course was skiers left. The course had a major left fall away, or the direction a ball would go if dropped at the top, but was much flatter than the GS run yesterday. All the races are being held in the same place. Here is a picture with the GS in black, SL in purple, and the Dual in red. The Dual is being held tomorrow.

This is just the base and beginning of WinterPark Photo Creds

Today I started in about the middle of the field. Which is expected with my extremely high points. First run, the course was set very simply with no tricks. Therefore, I was focusing on releasing under the gate, my focus, and flexing into the outside boot. First run was okay in general. I ended up running 2nd for second run. The set was a little more offset than first run but alike. Second run was better for me and overall I am happy with the results so far this weekend. I did end up with a finish that will drop my points by 20. Points are individual to each event and the lower the better.

Pulling the carts trough the parking lot....

Yesterday we found out these little carts existed for carry kids equipment. I mean we are kids right? Anyway, we used the carts to carry all our gear: two pairs of slalom skis, slalom poles, boot bag, extra jackets (since it was warm and there wasn't room in our bags,) and PROBAR's. PROBAR is a new team sponsor. Let's just say my back and shoulders needed the break so we took advantage of these "kids" equipment carts. TOMORROW IS THE DUAL!

BISOUS,
LYSS

WINTERPARK TRAVELS

Hello Tree Huggers! As some of you have requested me to blog while I am away in Winter Park. Today was considered a travel day and as some of you might know they are pretty boring. Since the majority of the team is away at other races we rented a van and towed a trailer. There are only three girls going from Park City comparing to the usual ten. Overall the day went well and here is how it all went down.

Photo Creds to our coach Tina Nardi!

Trips always begin with equipment preparation and packing the night before. Sometimes we use travel wax to protect our skis during travel then re-wax for the race. Usually for trips over 10 hours. Packing includes all your ski gear, either packed into a boot or duffle bag, then your personal needs and tuning gear. It may not seem like much, but if you aren't careful you might as well bring another human along. Then you get a full night sleep and depending on the time of travel leave between 6 am and noon.

For Winter Park, we loaded the van and trailer at 8:40am departing at 9:00, but knowing our team we didn't leave until approximately 9:30. So, that was the coaches fault. Wait who's fault? Oh right the coach was actually the only one late...when does that ever happen! The trip lasted about 7 hours which is about average. This time we are staying in a house which is actually really nice and modern. Not a house you would expect as a nightly rental especially for a ski team. Find pictures and information on the house at Trulia.When we arrived, Jason made a team dinner of spaghetti and salad, we went to the grocery store for lunch and breakfast meals, and scraped GS skis for tomorrows race. I'm running 19!

BISOUS,
LYSS

The Tetons: Snowking Qualifier

Hey Tree Huggers! I'm just headed home from Jackson Hole! It's been an interesting weekend with some good runs and sections, but nothing to be too excited about. It's time to focus on tactics...let's just say mine are SLOW. In racing the slower you are the worse you are. The past week I've been trying out some new boots which might end up working, but it's midseason equipment issues. Some people might not agree with that choice but it's been fine.

Pre UOP Jump Training; Photo Creds: Mom

The GS race was on Saturday and had a 9:30 Start. I ran bib 38 and ended up 34th which wasn't good at all for me. During races you can check the results in LIVE TIME online, it's really cool and how family can keep up with all the results! I was happy to finish but I didn't score any points except for JO points. So, JOs isn't going to happen because I just have made too many mistakes in races this year. I have had many other success points and huge improvements have been made. It is really exciting to think how far I've come! There isn't really words to describe it. Today I raced Slalom and skied with too much shape first run, but coming into second run I had a better idea but ended up hiking about 2/3 of the way down the course. Which I have done plenty of times this season.

It has been a mentally tough series for me and many of my competitors, but not all. Some of my teammates have had their position in JO's from the beginning and they're just having fun. Meanwhile, some of us are nervous, but I was excited to be there racing. There was a time when I wasn't sure about racing and if I wanted to continue, but now I have that back. My eyes were opened to what other people had been feeling as well. Alike how I was feeling and it was interesting for me to here their mindset. I learned I have come a long ways since rockbottom this season. That was right before bogus in a crash at the utah olympic park where I sustained a shin and head injury. I still have a ways to go, but looking forward to having a while before the next series.

BISOUS,
LYSS

Faster, Faster, Hold it Together, Faster, Faster!

Hello Tree Huggers! I have been quite busy lately keeping up with mid-season skiing and school. It has been a long rocky road in skiing but it is starting to come along. This season I have finished one of our 4 qualifiers so far....oops. That is not going to help my chances at making JO's. It has been frustrating, but I did have one of my best finishes ever. My points are still coming down (that's good, the lower the better.) This past weekend I just took an unfortunately too direct line straddling, look below. Yeah, so, that happened and it's not the first time, but oh well.

Upcoming we have the Bogus Basin Super-G's. It'll be really fun and challenging. I found this video of the course online last year before I injured my femur, but anyway it's pretty accurate. The video is from a while ago, but it is the same hills and jumps. I wasn't able to race Bogus last year, but watching was good for this year. I'm pretty fearless with the jumps and the speed, but hopefully I will be able to keep it together for one run. I mean it is only a one run race.

Photo Creds: Jonathan Mulford 

Injuries seem to always find their way back to me. Currently, I am waiting the season out before I have major wrist surgery in about a month or two. I completely tore the Scapho-Lunate ligament along with some others in that surrounding area. That is not holding me back coming into this next series and training blocks. When the time comes I will rehab back and become injury free. Lets hope to stay out of the netting and hospitals for the rest of the season. Get well soon to all my injured teammates.

This year, JO's are in Mt. Bachelor, OR and will be really fun! Since we have never raced there, or even really skied in their race arena it will be a new adventure, something I am always up for. Mt. Bachelor has training for racers in the summer, we spend some time their every summer. I don't remember the resort very clearly, but there is a lot of terrain. This upcoming summer, I am hoping on going to Mammoth and Chile for training. Maybe I will even be an athlete coach for some younger athletes for a week. That's something that would be a great experience to understand more about the sport.

Ski in Peace BA+RB

Hello Tree Huggers! So, I have been realizing that I haven't really explained the process of racing. It all begins with drills that are applied to free skiing and then free skiing to gate training. That's like the beginning of the season and then you have to look at racing as if it is another day of training. In training the focus stays simple but productive. It is all about making discoveries and learning from mistakes. We are ALWAYS GETTING FASTER! After progress is being made skiing, I start doing sports phycology and learn the mental aspect of racing.

RACE DAY! Races are rarely at home. Preparation could start weeks before to the night prior to racing. At away races we arrive at least the day before and usually train the venue. The night before races is all about the nutrition, hydration, ski preparation, and sleeping. The morning starts with a warm-up jog, breakfast, and loading the vans. Once at the resort we get our gear and head to warm-up again at the lift. Load and head to the top for free skiing and or training courses. Followed by one to two inspection runs, more free skiing, and then warm-up and ski preparation at the top. I tend to run within the top 30. Depending on the start interval you will run at different times. Start intervals are the amount of time between each racer. Usually between 30 and 60 seconds, but can be longer. It is now time to be IN THE ZONE. A time when you are thinking nothing, remembering nothing, and doing everything automatically. Then second run you start based on result from first run; top 30 flipped and then 31, 32, 33.... First you inspect, warm-up, prep your skis, and run again. In the zone again! Now the race is over. 

Points are complicated. You collect race points based upon the amount of time between you and first. These points are added to the USSA penalty. The USSA penalty is calculated by the top 10 point skiers in he beginning and in the final results. Usually the penalty is below 100 but not always. At open races better point profiles come to the race and get the penalties to about 50. The better you do compared to the winner the better your USSA points will end up. You want your points as low as possible, and there are penalties over the summer. The lowest two scores in each event average out to be your official USSA points at the end of each list period. The list periods usually last three weeks.  Any lower points scored in that period will change the next list period. That's about it for USSA points. 

Creds: United States Ski Team

Rest in Peace to Bryce and Ronnie who were killed in an avalanche this week. They were members of the US Ski Team and preparing for their first World Cup start the following day. Ronnie from New Hampshire and Bryce from Snowbird. Allow them to ski in peace. The ski racing world will miss them dearly. 

BISOUS,

LYSS

In the end, it's not the days that count in your year. It's the life in your years!

Hey Tree Hugger's! As the year is coming to an end we need to reflect on all those fun times in 2014 and dream about 2015. Tonight was my first night out in a while, and good to be around some of my best friends. Memories were made and will always be remembered. I've been making the best of everything and facing challenges as they reach me.

Uhhhh this was really fun! PC: Scott McCulloch

2014 went off with a bang of injuries last year. I was able to recover enough to win the first Super G race that I competed in last season, exciting! Then during the summer enjoying dryland training and ski camps, but also lots and lots of lacrosse. Then all those inside jokes...I just won't go there right now. You'd probably not really understand them; for example "Japanese flag" and going to the "orthodontist". 2014 ended with a bang as well; standing on a lake setting off fireworks and sparklers with friends at midnight. 

One of my favorite nights. 

Here I come 2015! Dreaming of all the fun times to come has been amazing, but to think that they will actually happen is incredible! I cannot wait to see what will happen with skiing this season. Bucket list items to be concurred! Heading to Mexico this summer for almost three weeks, training in Chile, and then hopefully going to Zermatt for next Christmas.  Lot's of traveling this year, and I'm due for another trip to live in Europe.

Zermatt! PC: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Update! So our next race is coming up on the 10th and 11th. It will be a Qualifier, you need to ski well to gather points so that you can get a spot on the regional team, at Snowbasin. I will race one day GS and the other SL. Hopefully be able to bring my new talent to the table, and ski well and fast. Break has been really fun! We had about 6 day off of training, and then luckily Payday opened and we have been able to train three hours every morning! We have upcoming training at the Utah Olympic Park as well, and of course cardio snowshoeing! Lots to look forward to in the new year! 

BISOUS,

LYSS

ERIC HAYES MEMORIAL!

Tree Huggers...10...5,4,3,2,1 GO! The racing has begun! Eric Hayes is a memorial race hosted by Park City every year. However, mother nature hasn't been helping any with the warm weather and NO SNOW! Anyway, the race has been moved to Jackson Hole for the series...unfortunate, but on the other hand the trams open!!! I'm going to focus this trip on racing, but maybe some powder skis next time ;). As you may know, I am fifteen now and really looking forward to driving. But if you haven't noticed there's no time for that. Working on getting my permit soon, but who knows how long that'll take. Since we have a week off of training and a couple weeks off school I'll be catching up on a bunch of work. I haven't exactly finished my geography yet..shhhh.

So, imagine this with everything white... PC: http://www.lexskisports.org/2015-jackson-hole-trip

This series started with two days of GS, Giant Slalom, then two days of SL, slalom.  The first day the weather was pretty cold just some cooler temperatures. I was surprised how much my skiing had changed since we had only been in the gates once....that's not the best preparation.  But that wasn't something to focus on.  You have to control the controllable's, and just go with the rest. Next, more racers came and the points were even lower the second day, but I didn't ski as well. The third day, the conditions became awful. The visibility and perception changed dramatically.  I had an amazing first run, but skied out second run. Today the rain came in, we raced, and drove home. The best memories were made driving home in our rented two wheeled drive minivan (do not try at home). Driving through below freezing snow and rain up and down the mountains and detouring around. The was a wrap for our amazing trip.

This first video is of Mikeala Shiffrin racing Giant Slalom.

The second video is of Mikeala Shiffrin racing Slalom.

Skiing has always been my passion, and now we can add to that. My passion includes everything that comes with skiing: racing, moguls, terrain parks, powder, and everything else.  Ski racing is 95% physical and 5% mental, but can grow to become 50% physical and 50% mental.  Think of it this way.  If you couldn't do it physically, you can't do it. Therefore, you have to have the physical to even worry about the mental aspect. So, I have the physical and usually the mental.  My skiing is really coming together. Eric Hayes has been just the beginning of a new me. 

BISOUS,
LYSS

YEAR 15 OF MY LIFE!

Sooooo... I was born on November 24th,  just a 32 weeker strong.  Skiing began ASAP.  I was in a backpack (not allowed anymore for safety reasons, oops.) My first day skiing was as a 18 month old, let's just say my parents were egger to get me on snow. I was exactly fond of of skiing, but over time it grew on me. My parents along with Diane taught me how to ski well. I had my first days at Canyons just minutes from my home.  Then as I grew I got better, and my grandfather pushed for racing when I was 5. Racing began as a J6 so I think that was when I was 5 turning 6, as the season usually starts before my birthday. I skied for Summit Ski Team for the next 6 seasons. Then moving onto Park City Ski Team where I have spent that last 3 seasons and more to come.

Ski racing starts young, and always has. Starting with just one day a week for a while and then getting a little older we start to travel with parents to other races in the YSL series (all in northern Utah.) We start skiing weekends which soon moves into 3 days a week, then four.  This is when you start racing in South Series.  Then merging into the Intermountain Division which is when training has grown to 6 days a week.  As a second year U16 now I will be moving into the Western Regionals and then JO's for championships this season.  The events and skis have grown with us, and of course everything is more competitive.  Skiing with friends and family is nearly impossible.  Plan on having your life revolve around skiing including school.  It can be overwhelming, but it's the life I have chosen.  There has always been a way out, and for me I just want to ski through high school and then move on in life. I couldn't imagine anything different.

Photobomb! Thanks to Sam! PC: Mary McCulloch

It's my BIRTHDAY! No, I do not feel any different! It's just one day after yesterday.  I could get my permit now, but I'll wait until I have room in skiing, school, and online classes.  I couldn't spend it skiing, but I got to pet penguins and my family planned a amazing private event for me in St. Louis.  Probably the best birthday dinner ever, and maybe birthday too! I got some incredible gifts and spent it with some of my favorite people.  Since, my parents have been divorced I get another birthday tomorrow when I fly to Chicago.  I'll celebrate again! My grandmother has had dementia for a long time, and is on her final years. Turning 89 this december. It would be incredible if she could recognize me.  I have grown a lot since she has been diagnosed.  She remembers me as an 8 year old.  To be recognized would be the BEST PRESENT EVER!  It'll be hard to see her suffering, and knowing there's lots of secrets in the family.  But she'll be so glad to see me every time her memory resets. It's one of the best times of the year.

BISOUS,
LYSS

Season of a Lifetime!

Hey tree huggers! As we are getting closer to ski season we have received our communication coaches.  It was the first time my mom has really stood up for what's best for me.  I have never had a mother who was really proactive in getting what's in my best interests done.  She had to get her hard hat on and push for what we want.  The divorce has been difficult and really took her off the map.  Always chauffeuring me around, but her life can't be completely surrounded by my needs.  She needs to be able to say NO! She has made a change in coaching that will benefit me.  Time to prepare for the season of a LIFETIME!

Season Preparation began with goal setting which gives an overlook for where we want to go during the season.  Do I want to be in the Olympics?  Of course, but is that really realistic?  No!  You want to set goals that you can reach.  Having success gives success in the future!  We are tapering dryland and starting to really prepare for the on snow season.  My Rossi skis are here and ready...we just forgot the lifters so that'll be a last minutes adjustment.  Rossignol has always made incredible skis.  The best feeling is being able to know your skis WILL make that radius you need.  Not having to worry about your skis being able to make that "next gate" is a game changer.  Locker move in is tomorrow and I'm being moved up to locker 14 in the team room! EXCITING!

Forget about the positioning and look at the CUTENESS! 

Life Update! So while I'm away, in St. Louis and then moving on to Chicago, Park City Mountain Resort will open. No matter what the conditions are skiing will be a challenge.  Let's think about what it looks like in New York City in all the traffic.  Imagine having to squeeze your way through all those cars on a motor cycle.  So, that's why I'm not too disappointed to miss opening week.  I will be spending time with those old people, and I guess, some young, that I've never met.  Then I will spend Thanksgiving with my Dad's family.  Can't wait to get back to our supposably "Best Snow on Earth?"

BISOUS,
LYSS

Gossip

Hello Tree Huggers!  As you probably know from experience, being the buffer in Drama is the worst.  I'm not someone who's going to tell your secrets, and spread all the rumors. But when it comes to needing someone on common ground to work everything out, it's me.  Last year, one of my good friends, Max Askmo, was my other half to problem solving.  However, he wasn't enjoying skiing anymore.  This season will be a chance to start over for all of us.  We've become the new "second years," and new "first years" have moved up the system.

2013 Gobblin Valley Camping Trip! Creds: Tina Nardi

Being Last season, we joined the team at the first ski camp.  It was in Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.  A beautiful mountain with a surprising amount of the snow so late in the season.  It was a really great trip with about 8 days on snow and one day off for rafting.  This was our first time really being on the "B Team," which is now the U16 Team.  Everyone seemed so mature and just got the hang of everything well.  Let's just say, us 99's, well, we don't follow in the path of our older teammates.  We are unique, and I'm sure no one will follow in our paths.

2014 Mt. Hood; After I ripped my pants under the waterfall :)

This season, our drama is out and our bond has taken over.  The first few years on the team there really isn't a spot in our circle, but we try to be nice.  It was hard coming into a team where the only people I knew were my lacrosse teammates.  As a U14 I had a good year, but didn't really become friends with the 99's.  Coming into last season everything had changed after Bachelor.  Some bonding and groups formed but mostly the drama had begun.  We are stronger than ever without our little clicks inside the circle.  Everyone who can be independent and take control over their experience will find their way through; just as I did.  We are starting strong.  There may be shifts to come but for the time being we are a hella good team.  Salsa is just the start of it all.

Testing at COE! Creds: Julia Chahine

It's time for an update!!!  Dryland has been going well.  We had our official testing at the Center to Excellence.  I was really nervous about testing, but it showed really good improvements on most tests.  Starting in June has really payed off.  We are a month away, exactly, before the resort opens.  Just add two more days after that and you get my BIRTHDAY!  I'm leaving for Copper in a week, and I got my skis today!  It's time to get the SKI on.  Still trying to think of a costume for Halloween.  Dryland has been getting hard and it's crunch time.  We've been building our power, and it should be great to see how my hard work will pay off on snow.  Things can change and I'm stoked!

BISOUS,
LYSS

Excuses Lead to Nothingness!

Team Stand Up Paddle Boarding at the Jordanelle                           

As summer began so did dryland.  It was time to push my limits off snow.  I started the year off with physical testing.  Results showed different areas to focus on.  It has been really important that I  separate my mind and ability.  Dryland began with only our core 99's family.  Having the best competition with me and around me all the time has been an encouragement.  Being able to have the same common goal within your team creates a competitive environment. This year the standards have risen, it's the last year as a U16.

The Park City Ski Team conditioning has been a place of pushing limits, not only physical but mental.  I would much rather be spending time on SNOW, but the gym, field, and aerobic days are worth it.  The biggest challenge has been getting past my thoughts, and what I think is enough.  I need to be pushing myself to the LIMIT.  This all began when mountain biking was forced upon me. Learning has been an experience that has changed my perspective of limits. Just because you don't want to do it However, going through different stages of training helps build a base to build on.  Previously, I haven't taken dryland seriously.

As dryland is continuing, I have been able to avoid all the excuses and push through.  Nothing has been easy.  Its been a long journey getting through one challenge after another.  Injuries have been one big set back in my skiing and training.  We have all been faced by different challenges, and every one has brought me back stronger.  Now, injury free, I have been able to start figuring everything out. The stars are the limit, and figuring out yourself allows expansion in limits.  Every challenge that I have had placed upon me has given me a new perspective going into the last few months before SKIING!  I'm really looking forward to our team bonding trips in October. It's time to be stronger than ever before.

BISOUS,
LYSS