a different perspective
While at home recovering from the crash that cut my Europe trip short, I had the chance to see a couple ski races as a spectator. In the week that I was home, I caught a Windham Ashland Jewett Central School Ski Team race and a J-V and J-IV (13 years and younger). It was great to see these races because I had come up through the same races. I started my racing in the weekend program at Windham and continued through high school. In 7th grade, I began skiing for the high school team, as well.
I planned to go to Belleayre to watch and help coach when needed, but the race organizers needed volunteers. I could not help but say yes. I have come to appreciate the help of the volunteers. Without them, the races would not happen. They were short of gatekeepers and I quickly went to work. The race that day was a kombi, which consists of two runs and each run has alternating sections of giant slalom and of slalom. I can remember when I was that age, it was not my favorite event. It was always a challenge going from the fast speeds of giant slalom to the tight turns of slalom.
Because of my experience racing, I was placed in one of the more difficult sections of the course where some of the kids were getting confused with which way to go. It was not a particularly cold day, but it was pretty damp. By the end of the race, I was thoroughly chilled and looked forward to the warmth of the car for the drive home. My experience as a gatekeeper that day gave me a whole new perspective towards everyone that has ever helped in a race.
The first thing I did when I got home from the race was thank my mom. I cannot even begin to count the number of times that she had volunteered at my races with whatever needed to be done. There have been numerous days where it is so cold, raining, or just so nasty out that I have only taken four runs (two inspections runs and two race runs), but these volunteers stay out for all of the racers and bear the elements so that each racer gets a fair shot. For any racers who may be reading this, be sure to thank the volunteers that you know who have helped - and even those you may not know - because without their help, the races would not happen.
It was great to see the Windham racers in action at Belleayre. I spent time skiing with them earlier this season, and it was nice to see them race and do well. When I get a chance, I find my way to the New York State Ski Racing Association website (www.nyssra.org) to look and see how everyone has been doing. I am glad to see that there is always a Windham racer in contention at every level. It is a testament to the program and the great coaching staff who give their weekends to the kids.
My time at home seemed shorter than it actually was. Just before Thanksgiving, my family adopted a puppy. Taking care of her is a full-time job. You cannot turn your back for a minute or else she is into trouble. It is for this reason that the time at home seemed so short. It is hard to get anything done. Right now I am getting around to writing another blog entry. I have the time because I am sitting on a plane once again. This time I am heading to Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia for the Canadian National Championships.
I am excited about this trip for a few reasons. First off, they should be really good races. There will be athletes from both the Canadian and US national teams. Whistler Blackcomb is also preparing to hold the alpine events for the 2010 Winter Olympics. These races are the first trial of the Olympic race venues that they have spent a few years preparing. Lastly, this is a place that I have never been to. From what I have heard, it is quite the ski resort also. I am planning on taking full advantage of some time off in the schedule and getting some free skiing in. Not only is good free skiing away from training good for every racer to develop into a better skier, but it also helps me have some fun and refresh my desire to compete.
Sunday I had a chance to test out my body after my crash. I went to a small ski area called Suicide Six outside of Woodstock, Vermont, for an eastern FIS slalom. I did not have high expectations for the race. More than anything, I wanted to see how my ribs felt in a race situation. Surprisingly, they felt okay. During my run, I felt that they did not hinder my skiing. In the race, I took advantage of running second in the first run and had a clean run finishing second behind my former Williams teammate and good friend Charles Chirstianson.
I was happy with my run, but happier with my state physically and that my touch had not left me in my time off. I decided that I could push it a bit more on the second run and try to take Charles down. The soft snow combined with running 29th and the steep upper section provided for some big holes at the gates. One of these caught me early on in my run and I was bounced right out of the course.
I was pretty disappointed with going out of the course, but I was just happy that I was able to give it my all and compete relatively pain free. I feel like I am ready to go for these races. I am well rested and eager to compete. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will get some good races in.
Apr 07, 2008 - A long stretch
I have just finished up quite a long stretch of racing. I have been on the road for the last month, putting over 2,000 miles on my car. I have been to Ontario, Lake Placid, Sugarloaf, and Vermont for races during this time. The end of the trip included 10 races in an 11-day period. I cannot begin to explain how tired I was by the last day... Mar 13, 2008 - March Madness
Spring is here and my racing is in full swing. The spring races are some of the best opportunities all season for racers in my position. From here on out, I will be racing against national team athletes trying to score points that will help my world ranking. Yesterday wrapped up a five-day block where I had five NorAm Cup races. The races began in Collingwood, Ontario. For anyone unfamiliar with Canada and Ontario in particular, Collingwood is in the middle of nowhere. It is about two hours northwest of Toronto on the shores of Lake Huron. It was an eight-hour drive there from Lake Placid where I was training last week... Mar 03, 2008 - Rollercoaster ride
Ski racing can be one of the more frustrating sports around. It boggles my mind how quickly things can change. Emotionally, it can be a rollercoaster ride from great highs to disappointing lows in a mere matter of days - then back to those wonderful highs. Avoiding any lows would be ideal, but throughout the season there are bound to be some. Each athlete’s hope is to make the highs last longer and shorten the low points as much as possible... Feb 14, 2008 - A long trip
My recent trip to Whistler Blackcomb sure seemed like the longest eight-day trip that I have ever been on. When I decided to go there to compete in the Canadian National and Junior National Championships, I envisioned good races being held under decent conditions. I could not have been more off in my assumption. I would guess that I saw the sun for a total of three hours the whole time I was there. I must say, though, when the sun was out it was a breathtaking place - perhaps one of the more beautiful places in the world I have been to. Feb 07, 2008 - A different perspective
While at home recovering from the crash that cut my Europe trip short, I had the chance to see a couple ski races as a spectator. In the week that I was home, I caught a Windham Ashland Jewett Central School Ski Team race and a J-V and J-IV (13 years and younger). It was great to see these races because I had come up through the same races. I started my racing in the weekend program at Windham and continued through high school. In 7th grade, I began skiing for the high school team, as well. Jan 28, 2008 - Feeling pretty beat up
The skiing world in Europe is far different from anywhere else in the world, especially North America. Here, skiing and mountain life are a part of the culture. Skiing is a social activity... Jan 19, 2008 - Another world
A lot has happened since my last entry. To begin with, I spent three days at Sugarloaf waiting to race downhill. The always-reliable January thaw was far from merciful during our races there. In the three days, I only skied three runs - all of which were during the first morning... Jan 08, 2008 - A good start to the new year
I just finished the first half of an eight day racing block. The first four days were NorAm Cup slalom and giant slalom races. They were held at Sunday River right after New Year’s... Dec 26, 2007 - Home for the holidays
After a whirlwind trip across North America that included 13 races in Colorado, Canada, and Maine and spanned just about a month, I can say without a doubt that it is good to be home. As exciting as it is to travel great distances and see beautiful places while skiing, sometimes there is nothing better than relaxing at home and sleeping in your own bed... Dec 14, 2007 - A great day
Ski racing can be a funny sport sometimes. In a matter of days, things can totally turn around. I was kind of disappointed that I had not skied better than I did during the downhill races at Lake Louise. I knew that I just had to put that performance behind me and move on to the next race. That could be the most important lesson that I have learned in this sport. There is almost always another race right around the corner. At this level, when you have 60 races in one season, there are plenty of opportunities to succeed. Dec 10, 2007 - North of the Border
I arrived in Calgary, Canada, to some bone chilling weather. I came up here after racing in Colorado to compete in NorAm Cup speed races. There were two downhill races, two super G races and a super combined (one run of super G and a run of slalom). My first races were two downhills held at Lake Louise, Alberta. Before we arrived, Lake Louise had played host to both men’s and women’s World Cup speed races Dec 02, 2007 - The season is underway
I just finished up my first North American Cup races (NorAms) to kick off the competition season here in North America. The races proved to be quite competitive, as there were many World Cup teams gearing up for the upcoming races at Beaver Creek. Nov 23, 2007 - A little down time
I am finally home and getting some much needed rest. The journey home was a long one, totaling over 6,000 miles and 28 hours of traveling. I got home a few days ago and am just getting over the jet lag. I am now able to stay awake past 9 pm and can sleep past 6 am. Nov 07, 2007 - Surrounded by the Best
AUSTRIA -- Paul Epstein, my teammate for the year, and I made our way back to Soelden for the weekend to watch the World Cup races. We were excited to get out of Hintertux after a difficult week of training because of the snow and weather conditions. I was particularly excited about watching the Men’s race, but the women’s race provided quite a bit of excitement with Julia Mancuso’s spectacular second run moving her into second place overall.
Oct 30, 2007 - About Chris Frank
Chris Frank grew up here in Windham, the son of the resort’s general manager at the time, Dan Frank. At the age of 7, Chris joined the junior race program at Windham and was a part of it until graduating high school... Oct 30, 2007 - Thrown Into Winter
Thrown into winter - October 23, 2007 - It has been 10 days since I stepped off the plane in Munich, Germany. After getting my bags in the airport, I hopped into a van for a 3-1/2 hour drive south that brought me to Soelden, Austria...
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