IEVA'S SKI RACING BLOG

I had never thought that any hobby can so much change the whole life.  After this month in the mountains I am even more convinced about that. And it reminded me of how much I love to ski!I was looking forward for this trip because there was the first 2010/2011 season races – Lithuania cup. Futhermore, after those races was planned ESF 2 weeks camp in Austria.

November 5th I moved to Austria together with Lithuania national team (Ieva,Marcele,Laura,Kasparas and Aivaras), but except Karolis (he came only in the second camp). All the way to Austria was great: everybody were really excited, ready to spend all November abroad and of course - with a good mood !  Just arrived in Kaprun, already in the first evening we had a party in the city (it was Saturday). Then we realized that this month will be eventful and awesome ! And it was ... much more than awesome ! I think that all the pictures shows that we weren‘t bored at all :] .

First week we had few days training and also Lithuania cup SL & GS races. KE were on the top of the podium like always. I was 3rd in both disciplines . It was the first season races, therefore it‘s taking a bit longer than I had hoped to get my confidence back, but now it‘s there and i‘m happy and ready to do my best. Laura was 1st in SL and Marcele 1st in GS, congratulations for „young ladies‘‘ ;D . Once again we proved that we are the best girls (and women) in Lithuania alpine skiing !

 Unfortunately, other days after races were quite bad for skiing, ok, VERY bad ! The weather was foggy and also very strong wind was blowing, it was about 28km/h ! Consequently the lifts were closed and we were chilling at the reataurant.

Despite the fact, we had a great and beneficial time in Kaprun. Those evenings were unforgetable, with a lot of new ideas and phrases (peilis mėsoje, Tavo tevas, tavo veidas, young ladies, what u say about my mama,  ir visi kiti Banano&Kasparo fail’ai ) ;D

Finally, after one day off and one day travelling we reached Shladming, where we stayed for two weeks. First impressions weren‘t very bright about the surrounding and almost „summer“ conditions for skiing. After we had just turnned into the other day, all our doubts disappeared...

On the hill were only members of the ESF (Lithuania, Belarus and Georgia)and the Austrians&Russians teams.  We had three coaches : Armin, George and Jurgen ( each of them were just awesome! Especially George was very self-confident and stringent!) . So the trainings were very strict and demanded a lot of energy.  But when time is on my side, I have endless amounts of energy, and everything flows so easy. As a result those four trainings of GS and one of SL first week were very eventful .

Like always I can‘t stand without some injuries. As a result at GS course I Slightly sprained thumb tendon, but I tried not to think too much about it and everything passed great (despite the fact that some later days I couldn‘t dress up and bring my stuff ;D ) .

On Saturday we went to another place to have some training and then we had one day off before a long workout next week. Coaches decided that we need to have more SL trainings and only the last two days were dedicated to my LOVE - GS! Unfortunately, success didn‘t want to smile for me. Just before the GS I sprained my arm muscle (bycka ;D) and for a one day (thanks God that only for a 1day!) I became a photographer of my team. It was so hard to stand and watch how they train and how happy and satisfied they were about that what they are doing. Stand there and curb my desire of being at their place was one of the hardest thing. However I took some great shots that day !

All in all, these three weeks of hard trainings were unforgettable and full of experience, it‘s been a very eventful training camp. Now I can say that I feel ready physically and mentally for the season. I have a lot of confidence and motivation and all my small injuries are alright. So I am thankful, and grateful for my health and my mind and being able to live my dreams.