Scheduling a series of speed races, despite the level or location, has the uncanny ability to generate snow storms. Like Cortina and Zauchensee before it, the speed races in Mammoth Mountain, CA were plagued by blizzards. Of course, for a month before the competition it was bluebird skies and precipitation free, but as soon as the motley crew of Canadian and American elite trudged onto the scene flurries began to fly. The conditions were more favorable for powder skiing than racing. Long story short, the weather did not cooperate. Out of five scheduled races, we got in one. Not an outstanding ratio. I hadn’t been to a NorAm in a while, so, because of the scant racing opportunities, I had ample time to bond with some of my younger teammates. It was refreshing to be around a new group that is so dynamic and excited about skiing. I may have been the grandma of the troop, but my maturity level is that of a 14 year old, so, it worked out. They were very tolerant of my silliness and graciously received me with open arms. The World Cup circuit is where I want to be; however, being at the NorAms was a nice departure from the intensity. The athletes are just as focused at a NorAm. The stakes run high just like in a World Cup, but the environment is different. It is a younger crowd of people, and, although I was a participant in the races, I also was an observer. I was not far enough removed to feel out of place; I felt right at home, but having done this crazy dance longer than most of the racers there, I had a different perspective. It reminded me of when I was on the NorAm circuit full time, still so unsure of myself competitively. I still have heaps to work on mentally, but I have come a long way since then. It was enlightening to watch and discern the different steps girls were on in their development. There was a broad spectrum, from girls racing their first year FIS to 24 year old veterans still pursuing their dreams. As far as I was concerned, my prerogative was to build them up and cheer them on. It was a privilege to translate some of my experience into encouragement and advice for them.

I also was reunited with some old coaches that have watched me evolve over the years. The most ironic part of it all is that I still am, more or less, trying to right the same weaknesses, and I still fret about basically the same things that I did years ago on the Development Team. Like I said before, I have come a long way, but it is a constant work in progress. The key to that battle is admitting there is work to be done and to be willing to actually put the time in to improve. I had a wonderful conversation with an old coach and friend. When I mentioned that I have been struggling with self- doubt he reminded me that I can’t be afraid of failure. That is true not only in ski racing but anything in life worth doing. I needed that shot of insight. To excel at anything you can’t focus on the what-ifs; you have to go for it 100%. When you let go of the apprehension towards failure it is a freeing sensation.

One of my all- time favorite movies is “Little Miss Sunshine.” If you have not had the viewing pleasure, I highly recommend it. It is the circuitous story of a lovably dysfunctional family that takes a road trip to the Little Miss Sunshine Pageant so that the youngest of the Hoover clan, Olive, can compete. My favorite scene occurs when Olive is about to go to bed the night before the pageant. As her Grandpa is tucking her in she admits she is scared about the next day’s competition. She says, “I don’t want to be a loser.” One of the most poignant exchanges in the entire film follows as her grandpa replies, “Whoa, Whoa, back up a minute. You know what a loser is? A real loser is somebody that’s so afraid of not winning that they don’t even try. Now, you’re trying, right?” Olive nods her head yes. And then her Grandpa confirms it, “Well then, you’re not a loser. We’re gonna have fun tomorrow, right?….”

Get in the proverbial game! You may fail, but you will NEVER be a loser.

Have a great week!

-Kaylin

PS- if you want to see a great example of two athletes that put it out there and had amazing success, check out Lindsey Vonn’s and Stacey Cook’s World Championship Downhill runs right here on this website. They finished first and ninth respectively.

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