NYC Weekend Trip

I went to NYC over the holidays with my parents... It was a short trip but we managed to get everything in that we wanted to do. The city was packed with people shopping and waiting to bring in the New Year in Time Square. We stayed in the Meat Packing district for the first time at a really neat hotel called The Gansevoort (courtesy of my good friend Claire Higgins who works there). Although we didn't see any, it's known to be quit a celebrity "hot spot" with a trendy roof-top bar and pool that stays open year round. Our room actually over looked the Hudson River and Chelsea Peer...not a bad view I tell ya! I highly recommend staying there if want to sleep in the greatest beds ever made…they are so comfortable!

We went to see Beauty And The Beast on Broadway, which was amazing. The costumes were really impressive and like always their voices were incredible. Some other touristy things we did were; Rockefeller Plaza to see the Christmas Tree and ice skaters, took a horse carriage ride around central park, shopped along 5th Ave, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, and spent some time at Ground Zero.

I've been to Ground Zero a few times since 9/11 but it's always breathtaking to see it in person. My parents and I were standing outside the fire station across the street, which was the first help to reach the disaster. Unfortunately they lost several of their men on Sept. 11th but while we were there, a little boy knocked on the door and asked for autographs from the firemen inside. It was really touching. Right after that, we walked through the museum and it was really hard not to cry...they have items that were found in the rubble like car keys, credit cards, teddy bears of people that lost their lives and they also have a display of all the missing people flyers. One of the most disturbing displays for me was a piece of one of the planes that flew into the towers. It was very surreal for me to see all of the recovered things and it brings me back to the exact day it happened and everything I was thinking as I watched the towers come down. If you get a chance next time you're in NYC, it's worth your time to take a walk down to Ground Zero. There's a lot to remember.

(Photo: NYPD Motorcycle parked in the street before leading a funeral procession of a retired police chief.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS...Good News!

Merry Christmas!

Good News... Santa brought me new software to fix my computer so I was just able to upload all of my pictures from the first two races in Europe! Sorry it took so long but I'm back on track now. Yeah!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season... Christmas was a bit different for me this year because it was the first time both of my brothers weren't able to make it home. It was just me, my parents and the dogs but we still managed to enjoy ourselves. The highlight of the day was spending time with my cousins... in the past we've spent the afternoon ice skating at an outdoor rink but the rain washed that idea away real quick. Instead, we decided to watch movies and make our pizza dinner from scratch! We all had such a great time and everyone's personality came out in their creation. I might have taken the longest to make mine because I felt the need to perfect my dough tossing skills. I got pretty good at the end after I dropped it a few times. haha. oops. I was really excited how my pizza turned out...it was a true sampler...each piece had differet toppings- pineapple, ham, sausage, pepperoni, black olives, extra cheese... I think it was my favorite Christmas dinner ever! For reaL, it was great!
Now we just have to get ready for a big New Years celebration!

(photos: top-everyone in the kitchen chowing down on their pizzas, Middle- My dough tossing skills, Bottom- My pre-cooked masterpiece!)
PS: If you want to see my Christmas Elf Dance-click on the title of this entry!

Tough Track-Torino

I really think that this is the hardest track I’ve ever been on. If you lose focus or get lazy with your steers for one second, you get knocked around hard! It has a difficult reputation, so naturally when I got to the bottom of my first run, I celebrated my personal victory of survival… Although, my next run put me in my place as I flew off the exit of one curve and landed off my sled pined between the ice and my flying saucer. With that little incident, I learned two things- 1) don’t enter into turn 14 on the left wall. 2) My stomach is not faster than my runners so stay on my sled! I was, however, able to pull myself back onto my sled and continue the rest of the way down the track with only a few minor bumps and bruises…nothing new to a skeleton athlete. Since then, I’ve managed to figure some things out and I’ve had four clean runs so I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow. I definately have a new respect for everyone at the Olympics that made this track look easy! I have high expectations for myself and personal goals I hope to accomplish but I honestly don’t have any expectations of where I’m going to finish in the field. USA is the only team that has never been here before so it’s hard to figure out a track with only six runs. I’m going to give it my best shot and see what happens!


(Photo: This was one of our priceless snowball fights with Team Canada...I believe that's Keith using the girls as a human shield!)

MEET SPIDEY....

THIS IS SPIDEY! Yes, I know the name is quite lame but somewhere along the way it stuck and we never came up with anything better. Spidey is an honorary member of our team and has been popping up on tour for the last three years. I use the words “popping up” very descriptively because you never know when you’re going to see him next. Sometimes he shows up in your pillowcase, sometimes he’s the first thing you see when the airport security decides to open your carry-on, and on some occasions he’s even been found staring at you in the shower (how rude!)

Life in plastic isn’t so bad for Spidey…he’s been to more places the past few years than most people travel in their lifetime. He was found one Halloween night peering through my shower curtain at the Lake Placid Training Center. As I jumped ten feet into the air, my first thought was to throw him directly into the trash can but instead, I decided to take him in as our traveling spook! It is a now become a tradition among the girls on the Europa Cup Team to hide Spidey in various locations so it’s the first thing our teammate sees when they arrive at their destination, get in bed, put on their shoe, open their purse, put on their helmet, etc. He found his way out of my camera bag this afternoon to make his first debut at the 2006 Winter Olympic Skeleton track… I just wanted to introduce you to him because he has been passed around hundreds of times and he is still with us today! I think he’s made the transformation from “team spook” to “team good luck charm”!

Sestriere, Italy

We made it to Sestriere, Italy… home of several 2006 Olympic Alpine Skiing events. This is the same mountain village I lived in last winter when I worked at the Games so the area is very familiar. We are staying at a great hotel in the center of town overlooking the ski slopes... so naturally, when we couldn’t get on the ice to slide today, we went skiing! I’ve always wanted to ski while I’ve been over in Europe… but our sliding schedule has never left us any time so it was a nice change to have the day off. We definitely took advantage of the situation! Including the post ski beverages at the base café.

The team walked down the skeleton track for the first time yesterday to familiarize ourselves with each turn. I’ve never been this nervous to slide a new track before because of the rough reputation it has. I guess I’ll find out for myself tomorrow just how tough it is. Hmmmmm. Wish me luck! I’ll let you know how it goes. Most of the other countries have been here before so we’re already at a bit of a disadvantage. We only have 6 official training runs to figure out the track and then we race on Sunday. Hopefully I’ll be a quick learner! Last year I liked being at new tracks because I didn’t have any expectations and I just focused on the basics and had some success. I guess it’s not as much of a head game for me. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. There is honestly no comparable sensation to describe the feeling you get when you’re standing on the start line about to slide down a completely new track. There is anxiety, nervousness, excitement, crazy adrenaline and curiosity all rolled into one. As soon as you get on your sled everything changes to focus and you kind of go into survival mode just for that first time down. It’s really amazing…it’s one of my favorite things about sliding.


Ok, I’m off to dinner! We have a four-course Italian dinner that is included with our hotel stay. Can’t wait to see what’s on the menu tonight!!

(Photos: top-The Europa Cup Team - Stokes, John, Chris, Kyle, Me, Marci "coach", Cassie, Kim. Middle-Me skiing in Sestriere, Italy!. Bottom-Some of my teammates kissing the ice in curve 18...it's a hard turn so they are hoping it will be nice to them when they slide...except Kyle, who thinks it needs a good kick!haha)

5th Place!

I finished 5th! I’m so excited. I was racing against girls that competed in the Olympics last year so the competition was very tough! The Germans are also really difficult to beat on their home track but for once this week, the weather cooperated with us so we were able to have a fair race.

I made a few mistakes on my first run so when I saw my time at the bottom of the track I was relieved to see that I was in 7th place. I knew that if I cleaned up my problem areas I could go even faster on my next run. That’s exactly what I did. I started off with my second PR start time of the day and moved up two spots into 5th! I was so happy with how I raced…it was the most focused and pumped up I’ve been all year. There’s just something about competing in Europe and representing your country overseas that is really inspiring to me.

Team USA results:

Girls:
5th – Keslie
12 – Kim Krolewski

Boys:
6th – Stokes Aitken
8th – John Daly
12th – Kyle Tress
26th – Chris Burgess

We’re off to Torino, Italy this afternoon! No one really knows how long it’s going to take us to drive there but I’m guessing anywhere from 8 to 12 hrs depending on if we get lost or not. Should be a fun trip.


(photos: top-Me and Stokes with our Medals after the awards ceremony, bottom-the view from the start house before our race)

It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This...

Konigssee is hands down my absolute favorite place to race in Germany. The scenery is breathtaking, the people are friendly, and there is so much history surrounding the town. I’d have to say the only downfall to the area is the 1 1/2 lane roads where you have to pull over every time a car come flying at you in the other direction. I guess that’s why you always take out the insurance on your rental car! That and I’m learning how to drive a stick-shift for the first time! haha

We went to Salzburg this morning and walked around the Christmas Festival. Last year we went at night and all of the lights were lit up, music was playing and we had already slid so we enjoyed a glass or two of hot gluhwein. This time the city was completely packed with people shoulder to shoulder and the festivities were in full bloom. It was our first completely sunny day and everywhere you went you could hear the clapping of horse hooves and carriages on the cobble stone streets. Between the amazing architecture of the buildings and the smell of fresh crapes and Christmas spirit in the air… it honestly doesn’t get much better than this!



(Photos: Top- My teammates sitting on the edge of Lake Konigssee, Bottom- Kim, Marci, Me at Christmas Festival in Salzburg)

Konigssee, Germany!

HI! I made it to Germany! I had an easy flight to Munich and all of my bags arrived on time so I knew it was going to be a good trip! Some of my teammates weren’t so lucky with their sleds and couldn’t slide yesterday. Unfortunately they don’t always make it through customs because security doesn’t know what they are. That’s why it’s always smart to arrive a day or two early just incase you’re equipment gets lost.

So, I took my first run down the track yesterday! I always love coming to an unfamiliar place because I get really excited with butterflies in my stomach when I stand at the start line for my first trip. I only had 8 runs down this track last year so it’s still very new to me. I was laughing out loud in between curve 3 and 4 because the turns are so swooping and down hill at the top… it totally reminds me of the “Grizzly Bear” rollercoaster at Disney World!

In the U.S., sometimes I get stuck just thinking about sliding and not enjoying where I am because I spend so much time there. That’s why I love coming to Europe. When we’re not sliding we are exploring the towns, meeting new people and hanging out with the other nations in our hotel. The all-around experience is so much more fulfilling. For example, last night we were a part of the most exhilarating German tradition called the Krampus Festival. You’re going to think I’m crazy when I tell you about it but it’s no joke!


Imagine that you’re having a nightmare where you’re being chased by scary monsters and if they catch you, they’ll whip you as hard as they can with braided wicker sticks! Not just a small whip, but they’ll hit you so hard it will leave bruises and welts across your legs even through your thick jeans. When they’re done, they’ll smear grease down your face to know they’ve hit you… though that doesn’t stop them from striking again! You know that the pack of monsters are coming from the clanking of giant cowbells attached to their backs. It’s a sound that is etched into your memory and makes your heart race every time you hear it. Now, if you were to wake up, you wouldn’t find yourself tucked away, safe under your covers, but you’d be in the middle of a small town, Konigssee, Germany, at their annual Krampus Festival. From what I understand, this festival happens the first week in December every year. The town flocks to the streets so these monsters can “beat the sins” out of them before the holidays and the New Year. There is more to it but the rest got lost in translation as I talked to a local girl. People want to be whipped! It’s crazy. It’s like nothing you’d see in the United States. These monsters hit old people, young people, girls, boys, EVERYONE! If you run, they’ll hit you harder! You feel so unprotected and helpless not knowing if you’ll be next! Mobs of people are in the streets to witness the excitement. You have to see it for yourself… I’ve been lucky to be a part of it for two years! I’d do it again in a heartbeat… not to mention I slept like a baby after such an adrenaline filled night! haha

1st International Podium!

YAY! I came in 2nd today... my first real international podium finish!! I say "real" because usually the top 6 sliders are recognized as a podium finish and get awards. I was really happy with how I did especially because I've been feeling a little under the weather the past few days. I hope it's just the beginning of what's to come in Europe!

Speaking of Europe... I'm packing up my entire room in Lake Placid and driving 9hrs home in the morning! I'd be dreading the trip a lot more if I had to do it myself but mom is the greatest and she's flying up NY to make the long haul with me :) THANKS MOM!

I have sad news about the next two weeks... My computer is ill and has to be sent in to see the doctor :( I've somehow worn out the graphics card and it needs to be replaced. There's really no point in taking it to Europe with me because it's making me pull out my hair when it acts up every two seconds. Grrrrrrrr Hopefully I'll be able to access my journal from the internet cafes but I won't be able to upload any pictures until I get back. Sorry!

I leave on Monday for Konigssee, Germany. I'm guessing 99.9% of people don't know where that is unless you are a former bobsledder/luger/skeleton athlete... It's a tiny town in southern Germany right on the boarder of Austria. Salzburg is the closest big city about 20min away. Last year it was my favorite stop on tour so I'm really looking forward to going back! I'll be there for the first week and then it's off to Italy! I'm really excited to slide on the Torino track after working at the Games and spending so much time there. I've never been down it myself but I've seen my share of other athletes have their turn!
I can't wait!

P.S. I'm already having anxiety about checking into the airport with too many bags that are overweight! United always kills us with extra charges...last year I had to pay an extra $200 for this same flight... And then my bags didn't even make it to Germany for three days! I wish I could pack lighter but it's all equipment - I'm only taking two T-shirts, a sweatshirt, a pair of jeans, snow pants, and 14 pairs of underwear! (the mass amount of undies is so I don't have to do wash. I figure I can get away with everything else being dirty!) haha