2008 U.S. National Champion!!!!!

What a way to start out the new year!! 2008 U.S. National Champion!! I’m pretty excited especially because it has lifted my spirits and makes me look forward to the second half of the season. Yes, I would have liked to have had the chance to race-off for a spot on the world cup team but that wasn’t in my cards this year. If I continue to slide well, in February I’ll be headed back to Germany to compete in my first world cup race, which is definitely a wonderful opportunity.

Starting Monday, I'll be living out of a suitcase and paying my favorite overweight/extra baggage fees at the airport check-in counter again.haha (Did I tell you how nice it was to travel with only one bag under 50 lbs to Mexico for Christmas?...SO NICE!!) This month I’ll be racing in Park City, Utah – Calgary, Canada – Lake Placid, New York. I haven’t been to Calgary since our 2006 Olympic Team Trials but I really enjoy it up there. It will be the first time I’ve competed against many of the European nations in North America. I’ve always raced overseas on their tracks but now it’s time to bring them all home to mine. It’s going to be a nice change. I can't wait.

I think the best part about being back home is having friends and family at my races. My brothers have never seen me slide and I’m so excited that at least one of them is going to make it to Park City along with his wife and a high school friend of mine. I’m also guessing my parents will make it to Lake Placid since they rarely miss a race… it’s so great to have them there!! THANKS MOM & DAD! Also a HUGE SHOUT OUT to the LESSARD family… A million thanks to you for letting me stay in your Utah home. It’s an enormous help especially during the pricey ski season!

Ok… just wanted to let everyone know what’s going on in the next few weeks. It’s going to be another action packed month so check back to stay updated J

HAPPY NEW YEAR… don’t give up on those resolutions just yet! Haha

PS: I just had my first big interview with the Washington Post!!