Thank You SBA and You Awesome FIS Girls!

I've gotten so much more from joining SBA than just access to training, racing and travel to new places.  I've learned so much about what really goes into being a successful athlete - from nutrition and conditioning, to mental and emotional preparedness.  Most importantly, I've truly experienced a strong and healthy team culture.  Throughout our travels, and our work outs, and our hard times, I've found a family like to other.  The SBA community helped with a very challenging transition - from small town Alaska to California.  Throughout the season, my SBA team has taught me acceptance, support and how to be a high level athlete.  These girls have helped me learn things I'll utilize long after I've run my last race.

SBA Womens FIS Team, Ohau, New Zealand

Thank You Nordica!

I would like to thank Nordica for all the support provided me for the 2018-19 race season.  With Dave Nihan's help, I was able to try skis of varying stiffness; promptly received replacements when my GS skis were damaged; had access to SG loaner skis; and was able to get new liners for my boots that we had perfected the fit on.  Nordica's generous and attentive support helped ease my transition into FIS racing while I also adjusted to academy life.

Alyeska Cup, Girdwood, Alaska

2018-19 Season in Review

My first year FIS racing started in New Zealand in August of 2018 and ended in April with the Mammoth Spring series.  Overall I consider my first year FIS racing to be a success.  I travelled to 4 countries and 5 states, flew over 40,160 miles and drove more than 4,125 miles.  With 58 starts (including downhill training runs), I had 38 finishes, 30 of which were top 30, 13 were top 10, 7 were top 5, and 2 were top 3.  I scored my first NorAm points, qualified for the US Alpine Speed National Championships, and have been nominated to the Western Region Regional Training Group.  Racing at this level is like nothing I've ever experienced before and I did struggle to find my stride.  I put my all into performing to my best ability and finished strong at Mammoth where my mental game was the strongest it's ever been.  I ended my season with decent points (lower is better, 0 is best), although I know I'm capable of so much more:  112.02 (DH), 58.58 (SL), 70.81 (GS), 79.10 (SG).  As of the end of the season my FIS age rankings (AR) are:

	World AR	US AR
DH	62	3
SL	82	7
GS	184	19
SG	55	6

Sugar Bowl or Bust!

This summer I went with Grammio Sage to San Francisco to have a girls trip and late sweet 16 birthday on the way to Sugar Bowl Ski Academy.  We stayed in San Francisco a couple of nights and over that time rode a trolley, explored Pier 39 and ate at the same restaurant where Grammio had her sweet 16 dinner!  The we made our way to Sugar Bowl.  On the way I met some distant cousins and got to visit Great Grandma Steinbach's basket museum in Tahoe City.  It was sad to leave home but I am very excited about the future, am happy and certain I made the right choice.  More later!