Dec 14 2009

Luckily I managed to salvage a spot in the top 30 despite the mistakes on Afterthought, the 30th and final spot in fact, giving me the opportunity to run first up in the second run on a clean course.

My bladder however, had other ideas, doing its very best to make me miss my start. Not to mention the organisers inability to produce a second run start list until moments before the scheduled start time. Faithful teammate and forerunner Marty Mayberry to the rescue, politely suggesting to the start officials the use of double intervals.

This well-timed suggestion bought me just enough time to skate to the start, drop my jacket and kick out.

Regrettably what had been a much cleaner run up top, came to a bit of a grinding halt when I ran a little too straight across the flats, leading to further difficulty in the following turns.

All in all, I made some unfortunate mistakes today, but I think I confirmed that I've got good speed for this time of year..

Now its just a matter of putting it together on race day!

Another able-bodied FIS Giant Slalom in Vail tomorrow, then cruising down the road to Copper for the first Paralympic NorAms of the season.

Including Tuesday's Slalom, my only chance to qualify for a World Cup start in Slalom.

Mitch

tags: olympic, paralympics, problog, mitch, gourley, photo, giant, slalom

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