New Zealand Recap

Last month I had the privilege to join my Stratton Teammates, along with the US Ski Team and Craftsbury Ski Team, for a three week training camp down at the Snow Farm in New Zealand. The trip was full of spectacular views and phenomenal skiing, most definitely worth every penny and every hour of traveling to get to the other side of the world!

Proof of the magical views (PC: Matt Whitcomb)

For the first week, the SMS crew stayed in apartments about 2k from the Snow Farm. The living arrangement was great, unfortunately, our rental van wasn't so great. I think we all lost count of how many times our van got stuck during the short drive to and from the skiing. We were very thankful for all of the strangers who chose to stop and help us out along the way.... Luckily, we had the perfect afternoon entertainment as our apartments were located right above a car testing track where people could drive cars as fast as they wanted on a slick ice rink. It was Audi's week to test on the track so we got to see some pretty cool cars driving around all day.

Can you spot Coach Pat under the van?

The view from our apartment (PC: Kelsey Phinney)

Coach Pat didn't let any of the technical difficulties stand in the way of getting some good training in so we got right to it, training hours and hours out on beautiful ski trails!

Sophie and me enjoying the sunshine (PC: Julia Kern)

So many trails to go ski! (Matt Whitcomb)

Out cruisin around (Julia Kern)

First time all the SMS T2 girls have been in the same place since June! (Julia Kern)

After one week of skiing, skiing, and more skiing, we took a trip down into the town of Wanaka for a mountain run and some New Zealand Tourism.

After a mini hiatus we went back up to the Snow Farm for a few races. Jessie and I did the Merino Muster 42k, my first skiing marathon! I definitely learned a few things about fueling before, during, and after such a long competition. Once experiencing a nice boot-and-rally about 14k into the race I was able to happily and comfortably finish the race coming in third place.
We then went on to compete in the 2018 New Zealand Audi Quattro Winter Games. The women raced a freestyle 5k, freestyle sprint, and classic 10k, while the men completed a freestyle 10k, freestyle sprint, and classic 15k.

Jessie and me racing through The Glen for the first 7k (Matt Whitcomb)

Heading out for the second half of the race!

(Matt Whitcomb)

Once the racing was completed we still had a few more days to spend every last precious second skiing our hearts out.

Finally some corn! (Matt Whitcomb)

So. Much. Training! I promise we were just using the snow to cool off... (Matt Whitcomb)

Yes Cork beat me in a lunch, working on it! (Kelsey Phinney)

It was an unforgettable trip full of so much skiing and so many laughs, I can't wait to go back again soon...

(Julia Kern)