Best Training Week Ever

Christmas Week 12

Here is my first edit of training Christmas week - Best Training Ever!! Major snowfalls approx 10 feet in the last 3 weeks at Steamboat Springs, Colorado 4 foot base!

Sorry video has to be viewed in small - wireless not working well at unit. Will upload better quality version when I can get some better wireless.  Computer said it would take 7 hours on current speed!

White Christmas - Christmas on the Beach

23rd Dec USA / 24th Dec NZ

Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year Everyone.

We found a set of solar lights to put on the tree outside the unit. It's a bit of a treat when they light up as it's been snowing again today (not a lot of solar!!).  Took this shot at 4.30pm today.

It's strange - I really miss being in NZ for Christmas in the sun on the deck with Dad, but I'm really enjoying being here for a real White Christmas.

6 feet of Snow in Dec - Steamboat Springs

19th Dec 12

Two awesome days of great "training"!! in Champagne Powder.  Then when I got back there was enough snow to build a little hit to have some fun beside unit.

The grader driver has been stockpiling quite a bit of snow in carpark so that looks promising for another project tomorrow.

More Snow on the way this week.  SICK!!  www.steamboat.com

World Cup Boardercross Finish Line and White Lines

14/15th Dec 12

Ha, a quick shot driving up to the unit - as you can see the white line is pretty broad over here -
                                      Awesome!!!          Ha, not so chuffed the driver!!

The squad has been helping out SSWSC with the USSA Alpine Snowboard Race series at Howelsen Hill - helping out with course set up and being gate keepers. Makes you really appreciate the amount of effort that goes into events grass root to elite.

                                                             Talking about elite.
Check out the Finish Line shot of Seth Wescott (standing) and Alex (Chumpy) Pullin laying it down in the finish of the World Cup Boardercross Race in Telluride, Colorado this week!!. Sick!   Seth 1st, Chumpy 2nd.

         Seth Wescott USA, Alex (Chumpy) Pullin AUS, Chris Robanske CAN,  Stian Sivertzen NOR

Black Bear in Museum of North West, Colorado.

12th Dec 12

I found this photo Mum took when we visited the Craig Museum  www.museumnwco.org  last week, on my day off. It was quite interesting looking at all the historic western history.

This 720 lb/326 kilo Black Bear was on display - sad really such an awesome animal. So the little guy we saw last week in Steamboat was tiny compared to this fellow.

Reading up on these guys - they don't actually eat much meat they mainly eat fruits, nuts and plants - an occasional squirrel or birds eggs; so humans are definitely not on the menu. I still wouldn't like to come across Yogi on a dark night!!

Its been suggested I should be a little more informative so here goes - Craig is known as the Elk Capital of the World and relies on hunting tourism. The town is also surrounded by 4 underground coal mines which is a major employer in town.

Snow at last in Steamboat Springs CO

8th Dec 12

Went to the Mainstreet Parade last night with Brooke, Olivia and Max (SSWSC Squad)  had a great night, very surprised to find a Camel in the middle of the Street (felt a little sorry for him)!! 

Trees decorated big time - they don't seem to worry about electricity bills over here! Managed to drive back to the unit in about 10" of fresh snow - wow - zero to hero on the snow front. 

9th Dec 12

7.30am and I'm ready to ride, soooo much snow I can ride from unit to meet crew at lifts. Yeah at last!!
Neg 10 Cel this morning have my warm gear on today. Big thanks to Quiksilver and Icebreaker!!

Black Bear visitor, Steamboat Springs CO

5 Dec 12

Driving home last night about 7.40pm we turned up the street to the unit when a Black Bear walked across the road in front of us.  I suppose he would have come up to my hip, not knowing anything about bears maybe he was a year or two old.

Ha, you have to be careful who's knocking at your door over here, not necessarily Santa!!

Mum of course wanted to take him home to give him a good feed! Not the thing to do - leave nature alone!  The warm start to winter is upsetting a few of the local animals, mind you we watched a red fox the other morning pouncing around in the snow - and he had success coming up with a mouse (we think) in his mouth.

I'm pretty lucky with my sport being able to travel and enjoy different environments.

SSWSC, Howelsen Hill, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

25 Nov 12

Shot of Howelsen Hill where a lot of the training takes place, SSWSC has an enormous club which covers, cross country/nordic, race, freestyle (ski and snowboard) and also the amazing ski jumping they have a number of jumps (you can see them starting to get underway on the right of this picture. They also have this cool little practice area where the jumpers glide on this machine then pop themselves into foam beside the club house.

With most of the Pro Squad in Austria for the Worlds - having a great week training with Cody (coach) and Olivia mostly at Mt Werner (Steamboat Springs).

Ha saw this sign in one of the shops!!

Steamboat Springs Training 2012

25 Nov 12

Another awesome day in Steamboat (not exactly winter 10 cel) - up early had a great session with Jon and squad at Howelsen Hill, just popped back to the unit to grab other board so I can freeride for the rest of day.  I found a track down in the gully from the unit which takes me down to the base of SB!! Sweet.  As you can see there are alot more trees on these mountains.  Snow Gods just need to fill up the gaps please. 

Life is good.  I've also been enjoying getting into reading up on the info in the Flight Training Manual Wanaka Helicopters suggested I read. 

Two passions I hope to combine in the future.  

Steamboat Springs - Opening Day 50th Anniversary

21st Nov 12

Arrived in Steamboat Springs after a three day trip - just in time for the opening day 50th Anniversary of Snowfield. It was super fun although could be more snow. Fingers crossed its going to dump soon.

A little information on Steamboat Springs it has an approx base population of 12,000, has its own airport.

While riding today I spotted a Fox wandering down one of the trails not in use, one of the other squad guys said he spotted a small bear the other day. So its exciting coming across something you don't get downunder.

Elvis in Colorado

17 Nov 12

Bags packed - Colorado bound tomorrow - pretty excited to start training but already homesick at the same time!!

Cleaning out laptop and found this funny weird video of Elvis the Alligator at Colorado Croc Farm from last year.

Enjoyed the rain last night - strange as it sounds I'm going to miss the rain, from my experience in the last few years it doesn't seem to rain in Colorado - it just snows - which is awesome.

Kite Flying Jardines Park, Queenstown

10th Nov 12

Who says you are too old to fly kites - just had to get a bigger one. Check out the 35 foot kite I scored from Frisco Emporium last year.

Great afternoon riding the winds at Jardine Park, Kelvin Heights.

                                                   ONE WEEK count down till states.

Hunting New Zealand

3rd Nov 12

Just got back from the weekend hunting, heaps of fun, got a Fallow Deer, great meat had a chance at a Red Stag - however, it was agreed between hunters that the meat of a Stag is not great, no antlers no point.

Check out Dad's hunting dog - Yeah Right!! Ben came with us - ha for a small dog he has a lot of energy.

R&R Sport Outdoor Equipment Specialists

30th Oct 12

Big thanks for the continued support of my first ever sponsor "R&R Sport" - cool guys. Just got my renewal contract, thanks heaps.

Your support and promo to other sponsors has been awesome. Quiksilver - Libtech/Gnu, Icebreaker.

I'll be giving it my best shot while I'm away in NH.

New Zealand Activities

Oct 2012

Making the most of New Zealand activities before I leave, headed up the lake the other day for 3 hours great day 22 degrees C. Spent an afternoon sighting in the scope I brought back from Colorado. Then enjoyed a Kiwi BBQ - spectacular Moon creeping around the Remarkables. 

Mavora and Wakatipu Lakes Fishing with Fynn

28th Oct 12

Great day catching up with my mate Fynn Thompson - NZ's up and coming Triathlete, unfortunately that was all the catching we were doing!!!.  Mavora Lakes was holding on to the big ones, scored a couple of smalls but put them back. So we are now giving the southern arm of Wakatipu the once over, watch this space.

TSS Earnslaw Queenstown 100th Anniversary Shot

21st Oct 12

Lucy Koch in the foreground awaiting the Earnslaw for return trip to Queenstown. 

Another great day - really enjoyed being on board the TSS Earnslaw for its 100th Anniversary run up past the High Country Stations to Glenorchy.  Considering she was just about scuttled (sunk) in the late 1960's. It's pretty special the old girl is now a focal point of Tourism in Queenstown.

Met lots of interesting people on board lots of stories. My GDad told us about how in the early days they used to drove sheep down Beach Street onto the Earnslaw for the trip to Kingston and before all the passengers were allowed on board for return trip to Queenstown the boat had to be washed out.

I scored a piece of the 100 year old Jarrah Decking which was replaced this year after 100 years!!
www.tssearnslaw.co.nz/tss-earnslaw/timeline
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TSS_Earnslaw

Wanaka Training Day - Off Ground!!

7 Oct 12

 

 No Hands Instructor!!

Awesome day hanging with Dad, now that the fields are closed. Weather was amazing, no wind, so I talked Dad into letting me use a voucher he had been given last year for some time with Wanaka Helicopters www.wanakahelicopters.co.nz.

Sick day!! Wow those controls are so super sensitive - but really stoked - Pete - Instructor was great easy to understand and really informative. Also Chris and Simon thanks for your advice.

Both Dad and I got to have a go!!  Needed a break at lunch time so that my brain could catchup, then had another go. Wow can Pete fly, gave those rabbits a run for their money!
Have a log book now, so you never know whats in the future!!

Getting the hang of hovering!! Take off and Landings the Tricky bit! Relax Mum!!

NZ Freeski and Snowboard Nationals 2012

2nd Nov 12

Final day of the season for me,  race day at NZ Nationals.  Due to three injuries this season I havn't had a lot of snow time and was only allowed by my great physios to compete in the GS and BX (ha, had to keep my feet on the ground due to the metal knee brace) so had to bypass Big Mountain and Halfpipe.

Qualified first in the time trial at the Youth BX - out front and clear in the heat but unfortunately hit a patch of slush in the final and took a tumble.  But my saving grace was Gold in the GS.

So looking forward to an awesome Northern Hemisphere season, training with SSWSC Pro Am Snowboard Race Team coached by Jon Casson and Cody. Hopefully next years  down-under season will be better than this season but hey thats life and racing so as long as I'm fit and healthy all's good.

A big awesome thanks to all my amazing supporters and sponsors. Thanks heaps Duncan.

Cardrona Boardercross

 18/19th Sept 12

                                                                  "Going GOOD"

WOW,  awesome experience racing in my first FIS Boardercross events.  Had a great couple of weeks training and riding with some of the best Boardercross riders from around the world ie. USA, Australia,  Russia, Norway, Japan, Korea, France, Britain, Ireland plus Kiwis.

Was stoked to have met Seth Westcott, Nate Holland, Alex Chumpy Pullin, Stian Sivertzen also Hagen Kearney plus lots of others it was really great - they all gave me lots of good advice.

First day was fun - lots of nerves though - finished in 26th place with 25 FIS points. Wasn't really happy, so was looking forward to the next days racing - stomped practice runs super stoked - but first time trial I caught a toe edge on the dodgy 2nd corner and aggravated a injury in my left leg which I thought had come right.  ----------   SUPER UPSET!!!!! The day was over.

                                                                  "Going BAD"

Bring on the next races, I'm ready and I have learnt a lot thanks to Adam and Jon (from Whistler). Can't wait to hit the Northern Hemisphere Season.