U26/European Championships

I’m currently in Riduan Italy for Under 26 World Championships/European Championships, and so far my time here has been really awesome. The highlights of my current location include: 5 course meals at dinner, perfect skiing, beautiful sunshine, and spectacular scenery. Today was the first race of these championships, and it was one of the most brutal I’ve ever done. The course wound down the valley from the shooting range, with a long fast downhill taking you to the base of the valley. A few fast turns later you come to the bottom of a gigantic steep uphill. It is one of the most difficult I have ever skied, and it was much tougher today due to the new snow we received overnight. The race wasn’t my best, but I saw some real improvement in my standing shooting and ski technique. This Wednesday is the Relay competition followed by a Sprint and Pursuit this weekend. Then on Monday I fly back to the good old USA. I think I’m really going to enjoy my last week in Europe.

Italy and I

Ruhpolding to Ridnaud.

Some images from our drive.

Italian Accommodations

It's a Hotel Spa.

Rainpolding

I’m wrapping up my time here in Ruhpolding Germany. This past weekend I raced in two German Cup races. I was very impressed with the depth and quality of the fields. I skied very well in both races, but shooting wasn’t expectable, however I feel that shooting will come around soon. The weather here has been very spring like. Both races where held in the rain. I raced Saturday’s relay format race in a full on rainstorm. Today has been beautifully sunny and warm. I need to keep reminding myself that its mid February, and I have almost two more months of racing. This Friday I leave Ruhpolding, and drive to Ridnaun, Italy for European Championships. I’m really looking forward to this leg of the trip, the location, racing, and culture should all excellent.

Classic to the Alm, Ruhpolding Germany

Relay

The relay competition closed out World Junior Championships, and I felt good about my effort. Skiing was good and my shooting was on par with the rest of the field and my teammates. After the race I traded a few of my US Biathlon hats, and got a sweet Estonian hat and a Swedish headband. Now I’m off the Ruhplolding Germany (As I write this I am in the mists of a seemly endless van ride) for two German Cup races. I have been to Ruhpolding before, in 2008 for my first Junior World Championships. In a sense it will be a bit of a homecoming for me.

Individual

The individual race was tough for me. I felt great and I felt I skied the course really well. Unfortunately I missed 11 targets and with 1 minute per miss those misses where really costly. Shooting this bad is tough to cope with mentally, but I’m not making any excuses. I’m going to use this race as motivation, because I know I am a much better biathlete than 45% shooting. This race also reminded me (in a rather bitter way) of one of my favorite aspects of the sport: you, the athlete, are the sole owner of the outcome the competitions. I am now resetting for the relay on Saturday.