So as most of you know, the beginning of my year didn't go so well for me. I'm not sure what happened, but I know what didn't happen: I didn't have fun, I didn't land runs, and I didn't make the Olympics. After the road to Sochi had ended for me, I went to California to heal and refresh both my mind and body. After some weeks in the sun I felt a longing return for the mountains. So I came back to the winter, and Aspen Open. At Aspen Open I was still rattled, and lacking confidence, but began the process of getting my groove back ;) I skied well but fell both runs in slope (a trend I was on) In halfpipe though I laid down a nice run and got 2!
After Aspen Open it was off to Europe!
I went to the SFR tour stop in Vars, down to Marseille, up to La Clusaz for the final of SFR tour slope, then over to Robin's house in Friburg Switzerland where Robin and his parents welcomed us warmly and we had a few amazing days of shredding, then it was over to Tignes, for the SFR Halfpipe Platinum stop, after that up to Paris where my mom's friend Sharon was amazing for welcoming us into her home! After that it was down to 9 Queens in Italy! Then to round out the trip a few days in Venice!
It was a five week trip and kind of a lot for one blog post, so many pictures! I gotta admit I was going to post during my trip, but I was scared of jinxing it back into bad luck. I know that is really silly, but a lot of things had not gone well for me recently, and I wanted to live this trip in the moment, not wondering how it was going to fit into a blog.
Anyways, it's more pictures then words, and I'm excited to now be sharing with you all a little perspective into my Euro trip!
I arrived in France with a lost bag and late. Jamie Morrison, the legendary dad of Noah Morrison saved my Vars portion of the trip both by helping me with transportation and with lodging. We went straight from the airport up to the Frostgun Invitation after party! Danced a lot, Slept a bit, drove forever, and ended up in Vars!
Packed Car!
Vars was great! I had an awesome time skiing and putting down tricks. Unfotunately I was still in my non landing slump, and I fell both comp runs. The day after though we spent a bluebird day filming then went down to Marseille.
In Marseille we packed about a weeks worth of adventures into two days!
Notre Dame de la guarde. The Harbour
By the time I got to La Clusaz, I was so over expectations and nerves, instead I just skied. I missed all of the training day, so had three runs before my comp. In the comp I laid down a mellow and stylish first run, which ended up being my highest scoring run and landed me in third place! What I was most proud of though, was that second run I did my right rodeo 5 to left switch 5 mute. It was the first time I had done a rodeo on the jump and the first time I hit the jump switch, and it was all in my comp run! I landed just about more runs in that day then I had the rest of season put together ;)
After La Clusaz we went to Robin's house and his family welcomed us with open arms! Robin's mom Monique especially went out of her way cooking us delicious meals, taking us to yoga, showing us the laundry and really just making us feel so comfortable and welcome! I was so grateful to them for their hospitality! Those few days we spent shredding Crans-Montana and Portes De Soleil were the exact sunny warm days I needed to start landing some tricks I was working on =)
In Tignes I met up with my little sister Jeanee! We were rooming with Isabel and Zyre. I had a great time in the pipe, and was really happy with both my runs and my place. I was one spot out of finals in sixth. So instead of skiing which would have been best, I got to relax, eat some free fondue, drink some spiced wine and enjoy the tremendous show! SFR put on the best comps I have been to this year! The announcer was so excited he really worked the crowd, and the french crowd knows how to party. The pipe finals had flashing lights inbetween athletes, fireworks, dance music, and it really was an entertaining show! I am DEFINATELY coming back to SFR. J'aime France!
Paris was amazing, and lived up to everything I had heard about it. Jeanee Zyre and I had a blast dressing up nice and touring around the city of love. (only we had no lovers so next year maybe we should get some) anyways we went to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Lock Bridge, and Arc De Triomphe as well as just exploring the city and becoming Parisian Pros with the metro.
Louvre Museum
Lock Bridge
Arc De Triomphe
After Paris was 9 Queens!
One of the best weeks of the year!
Check it out! Nine Queens Facebook
Picture David Malacrida
After 9 Queens I met back up with Jeanee, who had just come from grabbing 3rd place at Junior World Championships!!!!! and we went down to Venice, put on our black dresses, jumped on some boats, and took in the city of mystery.
Unfortunately we had a bag full of jewelry and vases and trays and cups we had bought in Venice and it got left on the boat dock =(
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