The first race of the year is now under my belt! We raced on a glacier in Austria called Solden, under blue skis and on very icy conditions. Solden is always a weird race. I don’t think it’s as much of a preview for the season as some people take it to be, or at least I hope it’s not a preview after my performance! This California girl apparently still has not learned how to ski on glacial ice. Lucky for me the World Cup tour will not face another hill like Solden for the rest of the year. I really do wish I could have skied better there. It is definitely one of the best atmospheres to race in, and the weather is always awesome.

Despite the result for me, there were a lot of positives to be taken out of Solden. For one, I have a new technician this season, and it was great to have him in the start before we get to the first speed race of the year in Lake Louise. Not only do the technicians make sure our equipment is ready to rock, but a trust is also built between racer and tech that helps provide me with lots of composure at the start. They get to know not only the needs of our skis, but also the needs of us before we leave the starting gate. Sometimes those few perfect words of wisdom are what give me the magic on course to do my best. I know that my technician, Aaron Haffey, has my back and always wants the best for me, and that is important to figure out before I go blasting out of the gate at 120 kph!

Here is another positive from Solden. I remember at a race last year that Julia did not do so well in, she had a surprisingly positive attitude afterward. I asked how she did it, and she said, “You know, I had one good turn up there that I am happy with!” Courses are normally 35 plus gates, but she was able to take a positive outlook of the day from just one. In Solden, I had a few good sections of gates mixed in-between what my coaches called a “rodeo ride,” and I thought of Jules when I was happy with that, and able to take away from the day a few positives.

So there you have my outlook on the first race of the year, and with that said I am very excited for the next few weeks. I will start training again in Colorado soon, getting ready for my only race on home soil in Aspen. Then after that the real fun starts with the first Downhill race in Lake Louise. Speed training has been going well, and I can’t wait! I will be back with you all soon.

STACEY COOK is an elite member of the U.S. Ski Team’s alpine skiing program. She competed in the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy and was a member of the 2007 World Championships Team... {more»}