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Dec 26, 2009 11:55 AM Filed in: Personal | Photography
» Ottawa, ON
After being on the road for almost two months in a row this break has been very nice and was definitely needed. I've just been recharging my batteries for the last few days up at Mont Ste Marie. The lifts up there didn't open today due to freezing rain so I decided to drive back to the city and do some stuff I need to do. For example get in the gym, do some shopping and see friends. Hope everyone is having a great holiday and I'll see some of you up at MSM in the next few days. I'm going back up tomorrow morning to coach for the next three days, should be fun!
Here are a couple pictures from the Lake Louise DH a few weeks ago:
After being on the road for almost two months in a row this break has been very nice and was definitely needed. I've just been recharging my batteries for the last few days up at Mont Ste Marie. The lifts up there didn't open today due to freezing rain so I decided to drive back to the city and do some stuff I need to do. For example get in the gym, do some shopping and see friends. Hope everyone is having a great holiday and I'll see some of you up at MSM in the next few days. I'm going back up tomorrow morning to coach for the next three days, should be fun!
Here are a couple pictures from the Lake Louise DH a few weeks ago:
First Nor-Am Win! (And a heck of a trip)
Dec 18, 2009 12:00 PM Filed in: Racing
» Ottawa, ON
First of all thank you to everyone who has sent my parents or myself an email with all the kind words, it means a lot!
Trav and I, first and third!
A ton of things have happened since I last blogged (and last had internet access). First were the disastrous Lake Louise Nor-Ams.. I won't go into too much detail but the three of us (Travis Dawson, Tyler Nella and myself) who make up the Canadian contingent at the Nor-Ams had some great sections but couldn't put together a complete run. Trav did finish fourth in the Super-G which was great and sparked us all a little bit coming into Panorama.
Panorama was a different story as I won the first run of the first GS there. That GS run was one of the best I've had all year and felt great to lay one down in a race finally. A few mistakes in the second run cost me a few tenths and pushed me back to third overall. I was pretty disappointed not to have won, but getting the first podium of the year did feel good. The next day I was having another ripper first run before I fell about a quarter of the way down. I managed to finish though and was sitting in 16th spot even with the fall. The game plan for second run was go all or nothing and win the run because there was nothing to lose from that spot. I didn't win the run but second was good enough to move me from 16th down to 8th.
The next two days were slaloms which were mostly forgettable. As I've mentioned I haven't done nearly enough slalom this year to be competitive and my confidence just isn't there. Especially on a hill as steep as the Haymaker race run at Pano! I ended up 12th and 14th in the two race, picking up some Nor-Am points which was the goal. Trav finished 4th the first day however, which was great. Although he wasn't pleased with another 4th, or being the bridesmaid as we call it.
The final day was the Super-G/Super Combined. Having trained a bunch at Pano since making the Devo team three years ago, we all know the track pretty well. Having not had the week I was hoping for, I knew I could make up for it tomorrow and quite literally convinced myself that anything other than a win in the Super-G just wasn't good enough. So the next morning I did my usual warmup stuff, inspection, got into the gate and simply charged. I went full out from the first push and had a heck of a ride down the course! When I got to the bottom and saw that I was winning I was ecstatic! Finally a Nor-Am win, and best of of Trav was on the podium with me in third place! Being a dual race day we still had the slalom to do and if there was ever a time to throw down a quick slalom run that was it! The guys behind me were all great slalom skiers so I had to go for it. The shorter, flatter slalom for the SC suited me better and I managed not to lose too much time and hang on for second in the SC! 180 Nor-Am points, not bad for a day's work.
I've been home for a few hours now and I'm going to Tremblant soon for the Super Series races there. After that it's time to RELAX and ski up at Mont Ste Marie for the rest of the holidays.
Anyways sorry for the huge post but I'm a little excited!.. Merry Christmas everyone!
First of all thank you to everyone who has sent my parents or myself an email with all the kind words, it means a lot!
Trav and I, first and third!
A ton of things have happened since I last blogged (and last had internet access). First were the disastrous Lake Louise Nor-Ams.. I won't go into too much detail but the three of us (Travis Dawson, Tyler Nella and myself) who make up the Canadian contingent at the Nor-Ams had some great sections but couldn't put together a complete run. Trav did finish fourth in the Super-G which was great and sparked us all a little bit coming into Panorama.
Panorama was a different story as I won the first run of the first GS there. That GS run was one of the best I've had all year and felt great to lay one down in a race finally. A few mistakes in the second run cost me a few tenths and pushed me back to third overall. I was pretty disappointed not to have won, but getting the first podium of the year did feel good. The next day I was having another ripper first run before I fell about a quarter of the way down. I managed to finish though and was sitting in 16th spot even with the fall. The game plan for second run was go all or nothing and win the run because there was nothing to lose from that spot. I didn't win the run but second was good enough to move me from 16th down to 8th.
The next two days were slaloms which were mostly forgettable. As I've mentioned I haven't done nearly enough slalom this year to be competitive and my confidence just isn't there. Especially on a hill as steep as the Haymaker race run at Pano! I ended up 12th and 14th in the two race, picking up some Nor-Am points which was the goal. Trav finished 4th the first day however, which was great. Although he wasn't pleased with another 4th, or being the bridesmaid as we call it.
The final day was the Super-G/Super Combined. Having trained a bunch at Pano since making the Devo team three years ago, we all know the track pretty well. Having not had the week I was hoping for, I knew I could make up for it tomorrow and quite literally convinced myself that anything other than a win in the Super-G just wasn't good enough. So the next morning I did my usual warmup stuff, inspection, got into the gate and simply charged. I went full out from the first push and had a heck of a ride down the course! When I got to the bottom and saw that I was winning I was ecstatic! Finally a Nor-Am win, and best of of Trav was on the podium with me in third place! Being a dual race day we still had the slalom to do and if there was ever a time to throw down a quick slalom run that was it! The guys behind me were all great slalom skiers so I had to go for it. The shorter, flatter slalom for the SC suited me better and I managed not to lose too much time and hang on for second in the SC! 180 Nor-Am points, not bad for a day's work.
I've been home for a few hours now and I'm going to Tremblant soon for the Super Series races there. After that it's time to RELAX and ski up at Mont Ste Marie for the rest of the holidays.
Anyways sorry for the huge post but I'm a little excited!.. Merry Christmas everyone!
Lake Louise! (and overview)
» Lake Louise, AB
Lake Louise. The site of the first World Cup speed races of the year, and the first Nor-Am speed races as well. A lot of the European guys who race this track consider it a warm-up and it is widely considered to be the easiest race on the (World Cup) circuit. Then again those same guys who say that don't usually win here so it can't be that easy can it?! I kid, it is a fairly easy track but there are a few key sections that you have to nail to be fast:
After the initial pitch and a few technical, rolly turns (no photos sorry) you come into the Tickedy Jump..
The jump into the Tickedy Chute is key to having the right line and direction leading into the Wiwaxy flats..
The Wiwaxy flats may not look intimidating but you carry a ton of speed (115 km/h +) into them and they are usually set fairly turny so you need to ski them cleanly in order to carry your speed..
The Wiwaxy Flats lead you into a sweeping triple called Coaches Turn. Not an overly technical turn but you want to have the right line and not climb up to high on the last gate to have the proper direction coming into the final gate of the triple..
The last gate of the triple is the Coaches Jump. Looks a lot more intimidating than it is, but you do get a good flight. This leads you to the fishnet turn which you need to nail to have the right line coming into the fallaway turn on the gunbarrel pitch.
The Fallaway turn is where the hill literally falls away into C-Turn and the Gunbarrel pitch. Gunbarrel is the longest pitch on the course and sends you hauling in to the final flats (which you can see a part of in the photo).
I've skied well in the two training runs but made major mistakes at the end of Fishnet and into Fallaway which I will fix up for tomorrow! I'm starting bib 7 which is a good number to start, but the track is in such great shape it doesn't make too much difference what you start.
Wish me luck!
Lake Louise. The site of the first World Cup speed races of the year, and the first Nor-Am speed races as well. A lot of the European guys who race this track consider it a warm-up and it is widely considered to be the easiest race on the (World Cup) circuit. Then again those same guys who say that don't usually win here so it can't be that easy can it?! I kid, it is a fairly easy track but there are a few key sections that you have to nail to be fast:
After the initial pitch and a few technical, rolly turns (no photos sorry) you come into the Tickedy Jump..
The jump into the Tickedy Chute is key to having the right line and direction leading into the Wiwaxy flats..
The Wiwaxy flats may not look intimidating but you carry a ton of speed (115 km/h +) into them and they are usually set fairly turny so you need to ski them cleanly in order to carry your speed..
The Wiwaxy Flats lead you into a sweeping triple called Coaches Turn. Not an overly technical turn but you want to have the right line and not climb up to high on the last gate to have the proper direction coming into the final gate of the triple..
The last gate of the triple is the Coaches Jump. Looks a lot more intimidating than it is, but you do get a good flight. This leads you to the fishnet turn which you need to nail to have the right line coming into the fallaway turn on the gunbarrel pitch.
The Fallaway turn is where the hill literally falls away into C-Turn and the Gunbarrel pitch. Gunbarrel is the longest pitch on the course and sends you hauling in to the final flats (which you can see a part of in the photo).
I've skied well in the two training runs but made major mistakes at the end of Fishnet and into Fallaway which I will fix up for tomorrow! I'm starting bib 7 which is a good number to start, but the track is in such great shape it doesn't make too much difference what you start.
Wish me luck!
Seasons First Nor-Ams
Dec 04, 2009 06:58 PM Filed in: Racing
» Calgary, AB
Loveland Slalom #1
The first Nor-Am races of the year are over and they were tough! Everyday the field was stacked with guys who are ranked in the top 30 on the World Cup circuit. On top of that the snow at both Loveland and Aspen was water injected and the injection had been taken a little too far. This means that the hills were sheer ice from top to bottom.
The first slalom went fairly well. I haven't skiied very much slalom this year so the goal was really just to go for it and grab some Nor-Am points. I made it down in 16th with two solid runs. The second day I slipped out at the top of the pitch, skied a hairpin backwards, then nearly highsided in the middle of the pitch and went out.
The first GS day at Aspen was completely forgettable. I made it about 6 gates into the pitch then loaded the ski and got completely shot out of the course. The second day I had a decent first run and was sitting in 16th. I was having a wicked second run until I made a technical mistake halfway down which cost me a ton of time before finally recovering near the bottoma and finishing 17th.
Although it really wasn't the start to the season I was looking for, I managed to get two decent results in and with the crazy injection and tough field I can live with how things ended up.
Video from the first Loveland slalom race:
Loveland Slalom #1
The first Nor-Am races of the year are over and they were tough! Everyday the field was stacked with guys who are ranked in the top 30 on the World Cup circuit. On top of that the snow at both Loveland and Aspen was water injected and the injection had been taken a little too far. This means that the hills were sheer ice from top to bottom.
The first slalom went fairly well. I haven't skiied very much slalom this year so the goal was really just to go for it and grab some Nor-Am points. I made it down in 16th with two solid runs. The second day I slipped out at the top of the pitch, skied a hairpin backwards, then nearly highsided in the middle of the pitch and went out.
The first GS day at Aspen was completely forgettable. I made it about 6 gates into the pitch then loaded the ski and got completely shot out of the course. The second day I had a decent first run and was sitting in 16th. I was having a wicked second run until I made a technical mistake halfway down which cost me a ton of time before finally recovering near the bottoma and finishing 17th.
Although it really wasn't the start to the season I was looking for, I managed to get two decent results in and with the crazy injection and tough field I can live with how things ended up.
Video from the first Loveland slalom race:
Lake Louise Photos
Nov 28, 2009 07:26 AM Filed in: Racing | Photography
» Calgary, AB
The 3 a.m. wakeup this morning was no fun, no fun at all! I'm sitting in the Calgary airport right now waiting to board a 6:30 a.m. flight to Denver, Colorado for the NorAm races there starting this Monday (the 30th). I foreran the final training run of the mens World Cup downhill yesterday, which was super fun! The track is great this year with a lot more terrain to deal with at the top compared to previous years. The rest of the track is pretty much the same ripping fast downhill as always. When I went it was bluebird and not too cold making it probably the best conditions I've ever run a downhill in, which made it all the more fun.
Here are a few shots taken during inspection yesterday:
Tickety Chute
Wiwaxy Flats
End of Wiwaxy/Entrance to Coaches
Coaches Turn
Coaches Jump
Gunbarrel Drop Off
Gunbarrel (This photo really doesn't do it justice!)
The 3 a.m. wakeup this morning was no fun, no fun at all! I'm sitting in the Calgary airport right now waiting to board a 6:30 a.m. flight to Denver, Colorado for the NorAm races there starting this Monday (the 30th). I foreran the final training run of the mens World Cup downhill yesterday, which was super fun! The track is great this year with a lot more terrain to deal with at the top compared to previous years. The rest of the track is pretty much the same ripping fast downhill as always. When I went it was bluebird and not too cold making it probably the best conditions I've ever run a downhill in, which made it all the more fun.
Here are a few shots taken during inspection yesterday:
Tickety Chute
Wiwaxy Flats
End of Wiwaxy/Entrance to Coaches
Coaches Turn
Coaches Jump
Gunbarrel Drop Off
Gunbarrel (This photo really doesn't do it justice!)
Panorama Video
Nov 26, 2009 12:57 PM Filed in: Video
» Panorama, BC
Moving over to Lake Louise in an hour to forerun the World Cup downhill training run tomorrow! After that I go to Colorado for the first Norams of the season. Feeling pretty good going into them and I'm excited to get the season started!
A few highlights from Pano this past week:
Moving over to Lake Louise in an hour to forerun the World Cup downhill training run tomorrow! After that I go to Colorado for the first Norams of the season. Feeling pretty good going into them and I'm excited to get the season started!
A few highlights from Pano this past week:
Sponsor Shots
Nov 24, 2009 06:00 PM Filed in: Sponsors
» Panorama, BC
My teammate Jeff Frisch and I stayed out after training today to get some photos taken for our sponsors.
My personal headgear sponsor this year is Sprott Private Wealth, which was my shoulder patch sponsor last season as well.
Jeff is sponsored by Bombardier for his headgear, and has a unique shoulder patch sponsor. Several businessmen from his adopted home club Tremblant (Jeff was born in Italy) came together to provide the funds for his shoulder patch. Hence the DGRGCPM patch!
I'm still looking for a shoulder patch sponsor for this year, so if anyone is interested or knows anyone who would be interested in supporting a local athlete, you can contact me at dustin@dustincook.ca !
(Click an image to go to the album)
My teammate Jeff Frisch and I stayed out after training today to get some photos taken for our sponsors.
My personal headgear sponsor this year is Sprott Private Wealth, which was my shoulder patch sponsor last season as well.
Jeff is sponsored by Bombardier for his headgear, and has a unique shoulder patch sponsor. Several businessmen from his adopted home club Tremblant (Jeff was born in Italy) came together to provide the funds for his shoulder patch. Hence the DGRGCPM patch!
I'm still looking for a shoulder patch sponsor for this year, so if anyone is interested or knows anyone who would be interested in supporting a local athlete, you can contact me at dustin@dustincook.ca !
(Click an image to go to the album)
ARC & Lindsey's Helmet
Nov 19, 2009 10:00 PM Filed in: Links
» Kananaskis, AB
If you haven't read the Alpine Race Consulting (ACR) blog written by Bob Needell yet, you're missing out on some awesome insider information about World Cup races. I won't tell you too much about it because there is a lot I could say, but he recently got picked up by SkiRacing.com to do a column for them! Definitely worth checking out!
Check out the ACR blog here, and the SkiRacing column here.
If you haven't read the Alpine Race Consulting (ACR) blog written by Bob Needell yet, you're missing out on some awesome insider information about World Cup races. I won't tell you too much about it because there is a lot I could say, but he recently got picked up by SkiRacing.com to do a column for them! Definitely worth checking out!
Check out the ACR blog here, and the SkiRacing column here.
And if you're artisticly inclined, check out NBC's 'Design Lindsey's Helmet' contest:
"Lindsey invites you to enter for a chance to contribute your original artwork for the customized helmet she will wear on the slopes in Vancouver. Whether you are an aspiring professional graphic designer or just like to doodle all day, this is your chance to inspire her, amaze her, and convince her that your design will be the one she wants for her Olympic helmet."
The contest opens on November 23rd and there are some great prizes to be won.
Nakiska Update
» Kananaskis, AB
Nakiska has been great so far this year! Quite a change from last year when condtions weren't great for the most part, this year has been pretty stellar as far as conditions and training go. They opened up a different run this year to start off, which I think was a good idea because it allowed for much safer training and gave them more time to set up the other runs.
I've been here for nine days so far and have skied eight. I've skied every event so far which is awesome. And I've finally been able to get a bunch of slalom training in, something I've been severely lacking in this season! We even got in a day of downhill. We have been doing double sessions almost every day though, which gets super tiring and I could really use a day off soon!
I'm staying here in Nakiska for one more day of GS, then heading to Panorama for a FIS GS race on saturday. After that I'll be in Pano for a few more days, and finally forerunning the final training run of the Lake Lousie Winterstart World Cup. Should be fun!
Here's one last run of SG from Nakiska:
Nakiska has been great so far this year! Quite a change from last year when condtions weren't great for the most part, this year has been pretty stellar as far as conditions and training go. They opened up a different run this year to start off, which I think was a good idea because it allowed for much safer training and gave them more time to set up the other runs.
I've been here for nine days so far and have skied eight. I've skied every event so far which is awesome. And I've finally been able to get a bunch of slalom training in, something I've been severely lacking in this season! We even got in a day of downhill. We have been doing double sessions almost every day though, which gets super tiring and I could really use a day off soon!
I'm staying here in Nakiska for one more day of GS, then heading to Panorama for a FIS GS race on saturday. After that I'll be in Pano for a few more days, and finally forerunning the final training run of the Lake Lousie Winterstart World Cup. Should be fun!
Here's one last run of SG from Nakiska:
Nakiska Pre-Season
Nov 11, 2009 11:45 PM Filed in: Training
» Kananaskis, AB
Good ol' Nakiska! Just like the last four years of preseason I find myself at the wonderfully tough mountain that goes by the name of Nakiska. AKA the host of the Alpine events of the 1988 Olympics. The crew at Nakiska does an awesome job of getting the hill ready for us (the CAST, other national teams, and provincial teams).
I say it is wonderfully tough because Nakiska is not an easy hill. You need to have your head in the right place and your butt in gear to rip on this hill! Due to being so early in the season, there isn't a lot of snow coverage and the terrain can get pretty gnarly. Skiing on the tough, jagged, rolly terrain this early in the year definitely prepares you for later in the season.
I've had two days on the slope so far (only one run open right now!) and things are going fairly well. Due to my recent back injury I'm taking things pretty slowly; getting a really good warmup in the morning, taking breaks if anything fees off, and stopping if I feel any pain. Better to take it easy now then be forced to take it easy when it counts later in the year. Even with the injury I've been able to get in eight good runs both days so far, and I'm getting back in the groove.
I'll be staying here for a solid 12 day block before moving over to Panorama my first GS race of the season on the 21st.
Don't forget to check me out on Twitter (@dustincook). I'll try to update my blog as much as I can, but I post quick twitter updates every day because its super convenient!
Good ol' Nakiska! Just like the last four years of preseason I find myself at the wonderfully tough mountain that goes by the name of Nakiska. AKA the host of the Alpine events of the 1988 Olympics. The crew at Nakiska does an awesome job of getting the hill ready for us (the CAST, other national teams, and provincial teams).
I say it is wonderfully tough because Nakiska is not an easy hill. You need to have your head in the right place and your butt in gear to rip on this hill! Due to being so early in the season, there isn't a lot of snow coverage and the terrain can get pretty gnarly. Skiing on the tough, jagged, rolly terrain this early in the year definitely prepares you for later in the season.
I've had two days on the slope so far (only one run open right now!) and things are going fairly well. Due to my recent back injury I'm taking things pretty slowly; getting a really good warmup in the morning, taking breaks if anything fees off, and stopping if I feel any pain. Better to take it easy now then be forced to take it easy when it counts later in the year. Even with the injury I've been able to get in eight good runs both days so far, and I'm getting back in the groove.
I'll be staying here for a solid 12 day block before moving over to Panorama my first GS race of the season on the 21st.
Don't forget to check me out on Twitter (@dustincook). I'll try to update my blog as much as I can, but I post quick twitter updates every day because its super convenient!
Photography Page
Nov 08, 2009 10:58 PM Filed in: Personal | Photography
» Calgary, AB
I've updated the photography page so that things are a little more simplified. I also fixed the Purchase page so that it actually works now. If you like any of my photos and want to support me, purchase a photo!
I've updated the photography page so that things are a little more simplified. I also fixed the Purchase page so that it actually works now. If you like any of my photos and want to support me, purchase a photo!
Nov 01, 2009 02:21 PM Filed in: Links
» Morin-Heights, QC
I was going to include this with my last post but when I started writing it grew into it's own idea and I felt it deserved it's space:
If you're not using Twitter I highly suggets you jump on the bandwagon (or into the new age of social media) and check it out. Even if you don't post anything yourself it's an extremely convenient way to get updated on people and things that interest you.
For thos who have never heard of Twitter or just don't know what it's all about I suggest you take a look at the Twitter FAQ here.
Here is a list of CAST members currently twittering:
Yours truly: @dustincook
Manuel O-Paradis: @manuelracing
Mike Janyk: @mikejanyk
Gen Simard: @gensimard
Kelly McBroom: @kellymcbroom
Anna Goodman: @annagoody
And some other notable racers:
Lindsay Vonn: @lindsayvonn
Ted Ligety: @tedligety
Aksel Lund Svindal: @akselsvindal
Lara Gut: @laragut
Marco Sullivan: @marcosullivan
Hailey Duke: @haileyduke
And finally some organizations and news sources that I follow:
Alpine Canada: @alpine_canada
US Ski Team: @usskiteam
CTV Olympics: @ctvolympics
Ski Racing Mag: @skiracingmag
Alpine Ontario: @alpineontario
Alpine Race Consulting (Greg Needell): @arcgn
UPDATE: I've decided to add this as a section of my wesbsite. I'll continually update it as more CAST athletes and other skiers join the ranks, along with other interesting tweeps. If you know of anyone I should add, email me at dustin@dustincook.ca.
I was going to include this with my last post but when I started writing it grew into it's own idea and I felt it deserved it's space:
If you're not using Twitter I highly suggets you jump on the bandwagon (or into the new age of social media) and check it out. Even if you don't post anything yourself it's an extremely convenient way to get updated on people and things that interest you.
For thos who have never heard of Twitter or just don't know what it's all about I suggest you take a look at the Twitter FAQ here.
Here is a list of CAST members currently twittering:
Yours truly: @dustincook
Manuel O-Paradis: @manuelracing
Mike Janyk: @mikejanyk
Gen Simard: @gensimard
Kelly McBroom: @kellymcbroom
Anna Goodman: @annagoody
And some other notable racers:
Lindsay Vonn: @lindsayvonn
Ted Ligety: @tedligety
Aksel Lund Svindal: @akselsvindal
Lara Gut: @laragut
Marco Sullivan: @marcosullivan
Hailey Duke: @haileyduke
And finally some organizations and news sources that I follow:
Alpine Canada: @alpine_canada
US Ski Team: @usskiteam
CTV Olympics: @ctvolympics
Ski Racing Mag: @skiracingmag
Alpine Ontario: @alpineontario
Alpine Race Consulting (Greg Needell): @arcgn
UPDATE: I've decided to add this as a section of my wesbsite. I'll continually update it as more CAST athletes and other skiers join the ranks, along with other interesting tweeps. If you know of anyone I should add, email me at dustin@dustincook.ca.
Olympic News, Melnyk, and an MJ Tribute by the Vikings
Nov 01, 2009 01:49 PM Filed in: Links
» Morin-Heights, QC
Another batch of links for those interested in the goings on of the ski world. Many of you have probably read about or seen these but for those who haven't, here you go!
Canadian businessman and owner of the Ottawa Senators, Eugene Melynk, recently launched a fundraiser aimed directly at Alpine Canada and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
"This fundraising initiative will offer 3,000 special ACA memberships. All members will receive a two-year subscription to SRC (Ski Racing Canada) Magazine and access to all of the magazine's digital and e-newsletter materials. Members will also have a one in four chance to win more than 700 prizes valued at $250,000. Each membership will cost $100 with all proceeds going directly to fund costs associated with housing and feeding the national ski team athletes competing in 2010."
All the details about the membership can be seen on the ACA website here.
The CTV Olympic site is a great source for Vancouver 2010 Olympic news on every Olympic sport, skiing included. The site is updated several times a day, with the Alpine Skiing section updated nearly every day.
And finally, some of the guys on the Norwegian Ski Team (or the "Attacking Vikings" as they've dubbed themselves) were having some fun high in the Chilean mountains and decided to share their follies with the world. It's a pretty hilarious video, check it out!
Another batch of links for those interested in the goings on of the ski world. Many of you have probably read about or seen these but for those who haven't, here you go!
Canadian businessman and owner of the Ottawa Senators, Eugene Melynk, recently launched a fundraiser aimed directly at Alpine Canada and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
"This fundraising initiative will offer 3,000 special ACA memberships. All members will receive a two-year subscription to SRC (Ski Racing Canada) Magazine and access to all of the magazine's digital and e-newsletter materials. Members will also have a one in four chance to win more than 700 prizes valued at $250,000. Each membership will cost $100 with all proceeds going directly to fund costs associated with housing and feeding the national ski team athletes competing in 2010."
All the details about the membership can be seen on the ACA website here.
The CTV Olympic site is a great source for Vancouver 2010 Olympic news on every Olympic sport, skiing included. The site is updated several times a day, with the Alpine Skiing section updated nearly every day.
And finally, some of the guys on the Norwegian Ski Team (or the "Attacking Vikings" as they've dubbed themselves) were having some fun high in the Chilean mountains and decided to share their follies with the world. It's a pretty hilarious video, check it out!
SIRC Photo Contest Update
Oct 30, 2009 09:47 AM Filed in: Personal | Photography
» Morin-Heights, QC
Thanks to anyone and everyone who voted for me in the SIRC Photo Contest. Thanks to you I won!
SIRC issued a press release a few days ago announcing the winners and I was quite flattered to see that I was on top of the list. The press conference can be read here. Thanks again!!
Thanks to anyone and everyone who voted for me in the SIRC Photo Contest. Thanks to you I won!
SIRC issued a press release a few days ago announcing the winners and I was quite flattered to see that I was on top of the list. The press conference can be read here. Thanks again!!
Stubai Video
» Morin-Heights, QC
The video from Stubai is now live on the site. You can check it out here or on the videos page.
We managed to get a few decent days in at the end. The snow was pretty soft, but soft snow is better than skiing on rocks!
The video from Stubai is now live on the site. You can check it out here or on the videos page.
We managed to get a few decent days in at the end. The snow was pretty soft, but soft snow is better than skiing on rocks!
Sprott Private Wealth
Oct 28, 2009 09:41 AM Filed in: Sponsors
» Ottawa, ON
I am very pleased to announce that I will once again be sponsored by Sprott Private Wealth. This year the Sprott Private Wealth logo will be prominently displayed as my headgear sponsor on all of my Alpine Canada hats and my helmets. I am extremely proud to wear the Sprott logo and I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Sprott and everyone at Sprott Private Wealth who had a hand in making this happen.
Mr. Eric Sprott, founder and owner of Sprott Private Wealth was kind enough to invite my father, sister and myself to his office in Toronto this summer. The visit was very cool and the office is simply stunning. You can see some pictures of my visit there here.
I am very pleased to announce that I will once again be sponsored by Sprott Private Wealth. This year the Sprott Private Wealth logo will be prominently displayed as my headgear sponsor on all of my Alpine Canada hats and my helmets. I am extremely proud to wear the Sprott logo and I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Sprott and everyone at Sprott Private Wealth who had a hand in making this happen.
Mr. Eric Sprott, founder and owner of Sprott Private Wealth was kind enough to invite my father, sister and myself to his office in Toronto this summer. The visit was very cool and the office is simply stunning. You can see some pictures of my visit there here.
Stubai Camp
» Ottawa, ON
The almost three weeks I spent in Stubai, Austria for the second on-snow camp of the year were eye opening to say the least. Our first ski day was on October 10th. We had heard about how little snow they had, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I got to the top of the glacier:
Fantastic first day conditions!
22 runs in a slalom course later and one wrecked pair of skis and we left the mountain in disbelief. It snowed a little that night and the rocks got covered over for the most part, but a new challenge arose. We switched to another side of the glacier the next day and though it had much better snow coverage, the snow was coverring up glacial ice. If you've never skied on glacier ice it is the slickest, hardest ice you will ever find. Razor sharp edges are rounded and dull in two runs on the stuff!
So after an interesting first two days the storm started. It snowed for eight days straight after that. Eight! The mountain went from zero snow, to waaaay to much snow in a matter of days. All the accumulation, plus a seemingly never ending stream of hazards made training extremely tough, but we hamered on through and skied every day. Iced over goggles, giant ski-wrecking rocks, 80km/h winds, and freezing temperatures kept things from getting too dull!
Finally some nice weather!
With about five days left the sun finally poked through and brought us a few good days, which we took full advantage of. The snow wasn't perfect but it got better and better over those last five days and we got some decent GS and Super-G training in. On the penultimate day of training we skied Super-G to start off then moved to slalom. I did the first run of slalom gates then went to do the second run and couldn't put any pressure on my skis. Turns out I likely have a bulged disc in my back. The pain was so intense the first day it happened we thought that it might be serious, but the pain has lessened considerably since then so the doctors think I should be good to go in a week or so.
With all the soft snow we only did 3 days of slalom which brings my slalom training total for the year up to about 4 days. Even though I've done so little slalom I've been skiing well when I do get the chance to ski it, which is encouraging because I had such a tough time in the event last year.
Overall it was an extremely tough camp mentally. I've never been on a camp where we faced such challenging conditions, and it seemed like some new, even more difficult challenge arose each day. Every day can't be perfect as my coach constantly reminded us! The way I see it, I made it through all the bad weather so the rest of the season should be blue skies! Not likely, but I can dream.
The almost three weeks I spent in Stubai, Austria for the second on-snow camp of the year were eye opening to say the least. Our first ski day was on October 10th. We had heard about how little snow they had, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I got to the top of the glacier:
Fantastic first day conditions!
22 runs in a slalom course later and one wrecked pair of skis and we left the mountain in disbelief. It snowed a little that night and the rocks got covered over for the most part, but a new challenge arose. We switched to another side of the glacier the next day and though it had much better snow coverage, the snow was coverring up glacial ice. If you've never skied on glacier ice it is the slickest, hardest ice you will ever find. Razor sharp edges are rounded and dull in two runs on the stuff!
So after an interesting first two days the storm started. It snowed for eight days straight after that. Eight! The mountain went from zero snow, to waaaay to much snow in a matter of days. All the accumulation, plus a seemingly never ending stream of hazards made training extremely tough, but we hamered on through and skied every day. Iced over goggles, giant ski-wrecking rocks, 80km/h winds, and freezing temperatures kept things from getting too dull!
Finally some nice weather!
With about five days left the sun finally poked through and brought us a few good days, which we took full advantage of. The snow wasn't perfect but it got better and better over those last five days and we got some decent GS and Super-G training in. On the penultimate day of training we skied Super-G to start off then moved to slalom. I did the first run of slalom gates then went to do the second run and couldn't put any pressure on my skis. Turns out I likely have a bulged disc in my back. The pain was so intense the first day it happened we thought that it might be serious, but the pain has lessened considerably since then so the doctors think I should be good to go in a week or so.
With all the soft snow we only did 3 days of slalom which brings my slalom training total for the year up to about 4 days. Even though I've done so little slalom I've been skiing well when I do get the chance to ski it, which is encouraging because I had such a tough time in the event last year.
Overall it was an extremely tough camp mentally. I've never been on a camp where we faced such challenging conditions, and it seemed like some new, even more difficult challenge arose each day. Every day can't be perfect as my coach constantly reminded us! The way I see it, I made it through all the bad weather so the rest of the season should be blue skies! Not likely, but I can dream.
