After some excellent training and testing conditions we did not capitalize on the weekend in Adelboden. Bode skied with a lot of intensity in the GS but also with a lot of risk in the transition from the 1st steep into the flat. Had the conditions been smooth he could have pulled it off, but there was a big roll and some chop which made it too extreme for where he entered the turn with the speed he was carrying. Bummer…Bode has shown speed all year but has had difficulty putting the pieces together for 2 solid runs.

Part of the picture as well is most likely the mental game that Bode brings to races. He has shown consistency and fast skiing in most of his training but this is also a place where there is no pressure and often conditions and training venues are not that similar to world cup competitions. Bode has the ability to ramp his intensity up to incredible levels for races so the drill can become balancing this with smart tactical decisions which give him a chance to be a contender. It is not an easy equation because the high levels of intensity he brings on race day also allow him to accomplish super human feats at times.

The SL was especially a bummer as bode only made it 8 gates. He approached this race differently than he the race in Alta Badia, where he was pinning his feet on the pole with high risk and ended up hooking a tip. On this day Bode skied a bit lethargically and without intensity. His intent was to find a more consistent and conservative avenue for the 1st run but also assure a second run. Unfortunately, the stiff skis he skis on do not respond well to inactive or passive skiing. He needs to really be in a dynamic, well-balanced position and continually move forward and down the hill to make this ski respond. Enough said…the weekend was a kick in the balls but it is over and time to move forward.

Aside from our skiing follies we had some great hockey matches in the outdoor hockey rink in Adelboden with all the local ankle biters showing us up. We stayed an extra night in Adelboden hoping to train the following morning on the race hill but it rained all night and was still pouring the next morning so we pulled the pin and headed for Wengen.

It was also raining in Wengen when we arrived but it cleared up and got cold enough to freeze and set the track up. Training conditions were excellent today and Bode skied well feeling the hill out and tried a new model of ski which may have promise. The weather forecast looks a bit dicey for the week so we are glad we got a run off today. We will be looking to bring the smile back on the crew as Showtime has proved before he can inspire all of us with his skiing in Wengen. I have enclosed a few pics. One of the middle section of our bus with vibration plate,bike and free weights. Second pic of lifting on the agaton eccentric machine in our trailer and one of our hockey crew in Adelboden.

Think fast, ski ya later, Johno

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