With the southern hemisphere winter season long gone, Queenstown Times reporter Joe Dodgshun talked to some of Queenstown's top ski racers ahead of their departure for the northern snow.
Q How did the southern hemisphere season go for you?
A It was a tough season, but I had some good results. I won the Best Junior Snowvision/Formthotics scholarship for 2011.
Q What was the highlight, and what still needs work?
A Winning National Junior Champion in Giant Slalom for the third year running, second in the open category and being the second Kiwi to finish in both Slalom and Giant slalom in the Winter Games. Like most alpine skiers, lowering my world ranking is always being worked on [sic]. Also, gaining weight and fitness before the coming season.
Q When are you heading off for the northern hemisphere season, and where are you going?
A I leave on November 4, flying to Denver and will be based around Copper Mountain for approximately six weeks for training and races before heading back to Sugar Bowl academy in Tahoe, California. I will be away for around five and a-half months.
Q What are your plans, goals and hopes for the forthcoming season?
A I hope to attend the World Junior Championships in Italy, Feb 2012, to continue to improve my world ranking and I plan to compete in a number of NorAm [North American Cup] races.
Q How did the southern hemisphere season go for you?
A Overall, very well, particularly in super G.
Q What was the highlight, and what still needs work?
A Scoring a personal best 20-point result in super G at the ANC finals at Mount Hutt, where I finished second. Fifth at Winter Games super G was cool, too."
Q When are you heading off for the northern hemisphere season, and where are you going?
A I am heading off on December 18 to the US. It's a bit of a change for me - I am retiring from giant slalom and slalom, and racing just super G. I am also coaching some 12- and 13-year-old Kiwi kids in Tahoe, California, for a month."
Q What are your plans, goals and hopes for the forthcoming season?
A I had one amazing FIS point result this winter, so I'd like to match that, and finish top five in a North American Cup event.
Q How did the southern hemisphere season go for you?
A "I'm happy with the changes I made during training in July with Nils Coberger [coach]. My racing was a bit up and down, but I achieved a lot in training which is what is important for this upcoming northern season, which is key."
Q What was the highlight, and what still needs work?
A My highlight would be winning the 100% Pure NZ Winter Games super G and getting the Janey Blair Trophy. Also, being named overall New Zealand national champ. Everything still needs work, nothing will ever be perfect. Specifically, I need to pace myself. I tend to peak too early in the season. But I am always learning and wanting to change and progress. It never stops.
Q When are you heading off for the northern hemisphere season, and where are you going?
A Nothing is certain yet, because we are still working at gaining financial support to fund this season. But I am confident it will work out and, if so, my plans are to head to Colorado for November training, then off to Canada for the first lot of NorAms at Panorama. Then I will return to Utah where I will be based at Park City for training before many more races to come, right through until the end of April.
Q What are your plans, goals, and hopes for the forthcoming season?
A I hope to lower my FIS points/world ranking and work towards gaining a sport scholarship at a div 1 NCAA university in the US so I can continue skiing without such huge financial obligations and continue working towards my degree. I also intend doing a few big mountain competitions in the Free Ski World Tour just for fun, to see how I would stand up against the other girls.
I am a ski racer and that is my focus, but I live for skiing. North America is expecting another attack of the La Nina this season, so there will be a lot of powder to be skied. I like to take advantage of being able to do what I love ... It's going to be exciting.
