Julia Roth: Slalom, Slalom and more Slalom!

The last time I left off I was in Italy racing europa cups and starting in the back of the pack.Even though the second day in Tarviso Italy didn't go as well as I wanted it too I got the experience I needed to be able to return to that high level of racing with better points and more confidence in the future. I definitley took risks and skied the pitch with no hesitation but near the bottom I took a hairpin off my chin which made me scrub some speed on the flats (which is slow). We then traveled back to austria to meet up with the other girls from Alberta, Ontario and BC for two FIS level slalom races. I wasn't sure what to expect at these races. For some reason I feel like I ski a lot better when its against people that I know are a lot better than me. I guess you could say I rise to the occaction because I like to be challenged. Recently, I feel I've been skiing really well in training and just haven't been able to put it together in the races. Luckly, I did finish one race which helped me to realize that I can finish. It seems as though I've been really unlucky with all the straddling I've been doing in races but with a day off today and yesterday I am feeling less tired and more energized for the next upcoming races.
Yesterday JS who is the prospect womens coach told us that he had gotten VIP passes to the Kitzbuhel Super g race that afternoon so we took a train into town. So far, I've watched the Solden World Cup mens race two years in a row and of course watched Lake Louise live but I always seem to forget the excitement that European people have for this sport. Its amazing to see how many fans come out and cheer on there countries. If only it was like this in Canada... Experiencing a World Cup race is like nothing else; especially in Kitzbuhel as it is explained to be one of the toughest tracks on the World Cup means curcuit. Only 37 people made it down the course yesterday and watching it from the bottom is definitley nerve racking. I don't think you could pay me enough to ski down that icy, bumpy track. It almost seems as though the men are just happy to be alive at the finish. Erik Guay was our best Canadian and placed 11th after a month off due to a back injury. We cheered soo loud for all the Canadians even if they didn't do as well as they wanted. Erik saw us and smiled when he saw how excited we were for him! Maddy, Maddy Irwin and I were definitley the loudest cheers from the VIP box. I even think we might have gotten on TV. Marco Buchel was broadcasting on TV as that is his job after his retiredment last year and I screamed his name and he told me to come talk to him. He gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and said he remembered me from Zermatt! Cool to know people do remember you even if your not on the World Cup.
Today we also had a day off to drive all the way back to Pilla Italy for some europa cup speed events. I'm really excited to get back into the bullet to scare myself a little. My tactics change in speed from tech. In speed I focus on having a clean run and nailing the line I inspected but in tech I usually just go for it. In speed, regardless of my results I have tons of fun skiing fast and just enjoy the oppertunities that are given to me. Well, thats all for now... I gotta go sit in the car for 7 hours! Thanks to Maddy Irwin, the ride wont be as long with her new iPad and all its games.

Here are some pictures JS and Anna Goodman have sent me from europe...