We made it to ITALY

OK... I have to write fast because I only have a few minutes of internet and it's super expensive (Just like I expected). Sestriere is beautiful but it seems as if we are here a week earlier than last year because nothing is open (not even the ski slopes covered in snow). The only hotel we could find is down in the valley about 7 km from Sestriere and 15 min from the track which isn't too bad. We are the first guests (and only guests) staying there and I don't think they've had the heat on since last winter... our rooms are just now warming up after 4 days. I've had to wear just as many clothes inside as I do outside and the floor tiles are like walking on ice cubes. Other than that, the staff is wonderful and the food is unbelievable... I roll out of the dining room every meal! What else can I say in 10 min? Sliding is going better for some of us than others. This is a REALLY tough track and just when you think you have things figured out, it jumps up and bites you. Two of us have come off our sleds (I'm not going to mention any names)... but they were able to climb back on in the next turn so no one has done the "walk of shame", yet. haha. But with all the tough times sliding we've had a fun time traveling up and down the switch backs also known as the "barf roads" to and from the track. The weather has been decent but it changes every 20 min up here in the mountains. (There are some neat pictures of the sky in my photo album... I just added a Torino section). Today we went and checked out the new indoor ice push facility that was opened this summer in June. It's just at the bottom of the track so it can use the same coolant to keep the ice frozen. I was really impressed... they did a great job including an Olympic feel from the 2006 Games.

The rest of our crew made it last night... they are all doing surprisingly well with their jet lag and showed up bright and early at the track this morning to watch Becca Matt, Kyle and I slide. Tomorrow is the start of official training so I'm interested to see which nations will be here. I'm predicting a smaller field of very talented sliders. I already know we're up against two former world cup overall champions, and a half a dozen Olympians (including medalists)... I'm really looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to compete with these athletes!!!

Photos:
1) Standing outside our hotel with the crazy sky
2) New Ice House just built this summer!
2) Matt and Cassie Revelli