We are about to step into 2016 and only 825 days to go until the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games…things are starting to get serious!
I’ve been training and racing, back to back, since the 28th November. We were in Canada and now we are in Austria. It’s been a full on month so I’m a little late with this blog – sorry.
So, I met up with Brad Morgan for the first time at Heathrow airport. He was to be my guide for my first ever super G event in Panorama, Canada. I had only spoken to him on the phone and was about to spend the next month with him…I hoped we would get on…thank goodness we did! He was so funny and a very experienced skier. We only had a couple of days to train before our first event but he gave me lots of confidence and made me work hard. My first Super G was really exhilarating and we managed to stand on the top podium… It probably wasn’t the strongest competition but none the less, a good start. We went on to win the next 4 races of Super Combi, SG, Giant Slalom and Slalom. Thank you Brad and Euan for all your support. I have not laughed so much as I did in Canada… I was finally getting my mojo back.
We then flew back to Heathrow and took the next flight to Munich. There was little delay whilst our skis were reunited with us after taking an alternative flight.
I knew I would be tired and have a bit of jetlag but I managed to add a lot of anxiety to the next couple of weeks. I had a really painful stomach every time I ate anything and felt very sick. This went on for weeks. I became very tired and a bit feeble. Having monitored my food and written a food diary I am still none the wiser as to what is wrong with me but I continued to train and race. Brad and I managed a few more podiums in Pitztal and Kuhtai but I was definately not up to my usual gusto.
So after 16 races and 2 continents, 8 golds, 4 silvers, 2 bronzes, 1 youth race bronze and a DNF (did not finish, due to being sick in the start gate) 6 beds, lots of dirty washing and an obsession for good WiFi, I ‘m ready to go home, albeit for a brief time.
My coach Justine Mesut is having to guide me at the moment, which is very brave of him, as Brad has returned to training for Team Raleigh in readiness for the start of the cycling season. Thank you Justine for being so patient when listening to me all day in your ear.
I am still looking for a permanent guide to take me up to, and possibly beyond, 2018. I have had so many stand-ins over the last 8 months, which is good, in a way because every single one has brought something new to my skiing, but I would love some continuity now.
Currently, I am training in Zell am See but looking forward to getting home to wear some clean clothes and sleep in my own bed and sort my stomach pains out. I’m soon back to school to get stuck into mock exams and have a major catchup on all the work that I’ve missed over the last five weeks. I’m also looking forward to seeing my friends…I do miss them!
I always have lots of people to thank, so here goes:
UKSport –
Get kids Going
KAP and Garry Furneaux for keeping us on the road.
J.C Rook and sons and Chris Rook
Choose leisure Motorhomes
Dynamix Group and Naz Khaliq
Hayward Design and Print
JasonDoddphotography.com
Kent Sport KCC
University of Kent
Sena Bluetooth headsets
SportsAid
Uvex goggles and helmet
Head skis
DSUK
PSGB- to all the Coaches and support staff
A big thank you to Jane and Clive Austin for looking after Sausage, our dog…I don’t know what we would do with out you.
To Julia for feeding Flash the fish – thank you.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Millie
