Davos!

Our week in Lillehammer wasn't the best weekend we've had as a team, but there were some highlights that should be recognized. Sadie had a really solid weekend, placing in the points in every race. Liz and Jessie stepped it up in the skate 5k and flew around the hilly course, and Erik had a really fast time in the classic 15k where he was pretty darn close to scoring points. I did all three races and even though the results weren't pretty, I was happy to put a bib on again and begin my season. The World Cup field is a tough one to jump into if you're not feeling at the top of your game and the World Cup field in Norway is even tougher. It wasn't easy seeing my name down at the bottom of the results lists, but luckily I have an awesome support group of teammates, coaches, friends, and family to remind me that being able to race right now period is an accomplishment in itself.

Crossing the finish line in my first race of the season (Marc Rhode photo)

Sadie zipping around the course in the skate sprint (USSA photo)

We were all pretty exhausted after three consecutive days of racing. On Monday afternoon we hopped on the plane and flew to Davos, Switzerland. We don't technically have a home base in Europe, but if we did, it would be Davos. So, it's nice to be back "home". We always stay in the Hotel Kulm and we have quite the history here. The owner knows us all by name and my uncle Tim actually stayed here with the US team back when he was racing World Cups. Davos doesn't have a ton of snow right now, but the volunteers are doing a great job of putting together a race track. Davos is a beautiful place to be and we've seen a mix of flurries and sun since arriving.

An easy ski with Reese on our first day in Davos

Sun!

Simi doing some tricks in front of the sunset

A few of us drove to Livigno, Italy to switch things up yesterday. It's a pretty long drive, but we went for a nice ski on some new trails with a little more snow. After our ski, we went out to lunch at one of the local pizzerias before heading back to Davos. I enjoyed seeing a new venue and taking a day for an adventure.

It was a cold, cold, day in Livigno

Sim heading out for his ski

The pizzeria served us free champagne while we were waiting for our table. Yes please!

On our drive over, we witnessed this machine driving next to a dump truck while picking up snow from the side of the road and blowing it into the back of the dump truck

Tunnel driving!

The race weekend kicks off tomorrow with a 10k classic. I will not be racing tomorrow, but I'll be racing in the skate sprint on Sunday. We just found out that the World Cup in La Clusaz next weekend is cancelled, so we're waiting to hear if there is a backup venue and deciding what our plans will be next. Regardless of where we are next weekend, only ten days until my family comes over for Christmas!

Here is a picture my mom sent me of our cat, Leroy, hanging out with one of the Christmas elves I got from Lillehammer last year.

Evening run to strength with Ms. Liz! (Simi photo)