I raced the first weekend of the 2009 World Cup circuit in Lake Louise, Alberta. It was my most consistent and mature weekends of racing yet. I didn't have any career bests, but being top 30 all three days was a feat in itself. I felt very in control of this ladder I was building in hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Games. The team headed to the next stop in Val d'Isere, France which would, ultimately, be my last. I flew home on December 15 to take care of some critical unknowns in my knee. After two weeks of attempting to get rid of the swelling, I went in for surgery on December 31. In my mind, I told myself that I would be bringing in the New Year with a new knee and it would only be a matter of time before I was up and running, or at least walking, again. I think I underestimated the word 'time'. When you work in the speed business, everything feels slow... security lineups at the airport, elevators, boiling water.

Anyway, surgery was more extensive than any of us anticipated complete with stitches (for the patellar tendon tear) and staples (for the MCL) and even a generous cadaver's ACL. So much for drinking sparkling grape juice at the hospital overnight. I did, however, get some wonderful white pills at five minutes after twelve on New Year's Day. Thank you, nurse.

So with each day behind me, I am one day closer to being at the top of the podium. I have a lot of unfinished business in my ski career and have been doing everything in my power to help my odds of realizing my dreams. I have no choice as I was born an Aries. :) I have been blessed to cross paths with some incredible people. This support crew has provided me with their services (physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic care, personal training, sport psychology) but more than that… hope. This crew has healed me to a place that I feel ready for my integration back with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. It’s time. I feel anxious and very hungry. My injury has redefined patience for me and I grew up a lot this past year, but I know that the fire is still lit. I can feel it when I’m stuck behind someone on the highway. I can feel it when I run around my house because walking is just too slow. I can feel it when I play euchre and I’m not winning.

So with this fire and a few new maturity tools, I have confidence that I can reach new heights. I had an incredible season living vicariously through the speed demons at Georgian Peaks Ski Club and they reminded me every day why I’ve chosen this path. I love to ski.

See you on the hill.

Check out my Blog!

Sunday, January 15, 2012 3:48:47 PM

Just completed my world cup debut at Cortina, Italy SuperG race.  I DNF'ed but I will bank the experience and continue to go hard after my goals.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 12:11:14 PM

My 5-week on-snow camp in New Zealand went really well and I made a lot of progress.  Physically, I have a lot of work to do still as I need my fitness above and beyond what it was before the injury.  I'm in Calgary right now doing some fitness testing and training with the team before our next on-snow camp in Chile.  I'm still adapting to life back on the road.  But with such amazing support from home, I never feel too far away :)

Tuesday, April 05, 2011 10:06:54 AM

Two months since 'clean-up' surgery.  Feeling stronger every day.  Heading out for my first camp with the ski team in Nakiska, Alberta on April 14.  I started packing two weeks ago.  I think I'm excited.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 1:27:17 PM

I skied!!  check out my blog

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 7:36:21 PM

I started a new phase with my fitness and also started Pilates for my pelvic stability.  I feel new pain but new strength as well.  I look forward to pushing hard for the next month before heading back to Calgary to touch base again.  There will be a white blanket on Georgian Peaks soon enough and I'd like to be as prepared as possible.  However, my surgeon and I will decide together when I can throw my skis on.  Afterall, I own the knee but he saw the inside of it for 3 and a half hours.

Friday, October 01, 2010 6:03:17 PM

I am starting to feel that I've turned a corner with my fitness.  I am still on the first few rungs of the ladder towards the body I can play hard with, but today I measured a 2 cm growth in each thigh since end of June.  Tomorrow I will do my best to inspire kids striving for similar goals to mine and speak about adversity and all that is gained from failure.  Afterall, if we're not failing, we're probably living so cautiously that it's questionable we're living at all.

Sunday, August 22, 2010 3:16:53 PM

Last week was spent in Calgary for fitness testing and touching base with the team.  Kelly Vanderbeek, Anna Goodman and I had lots of fun (after the grueling testing was done).  We had a chance to catch up and tried out some boxing too!  I headed home with a good plan for the next couple months and an even better goal to ski by Christmas!  Can't wait to feel the snow under my feet.

Thursday, July 15, 2010 3:23:00 PM

I had a lot of fun with Karolina, Jan and Julien on Canada Day in Ottawa, ON.  We met people from all over the world wanting to celebrate this special birthday!  Next on the calendar is a week long dryland camp in Calgary, Alberta.  It will be refreshing to meet up with a couple teammates and staff I've missed in the last few months and look at a longterm game plan as this recovery process continues.

Friday, June 25, 2010 9:42:19 AM

My knee is happy these days.  It's been interesting to witness my muscles truly waking up from a hibernation period.  I have muscular pain along parts of my leg but nothing stopping me from getting fit each day.  I have will have another MRI (last one was pre-surgery 7 months ago) to check on the general health of the whole knee joint.  I joined 'Summer Club' at my home ski club, Georgian Peaks.  This means I can throw on a bathing suit and walk down the street to the pool for some pain-free recovery.  Life is good.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010 8:51:54 AM

The manipulation was as successful as it could've been.  I have more flexion to show for it and I hope to just continue gaining until I crouch.  I need to be able to get that jar out of the kitchen cupboard or line up a putt!  I'm also hoping that this next week in Mexico with a great group of girls and lots of pool rehab will make my knee happy too.  Talk to you in May!

Monday, April 12, 2010 8:33:22 PM

On Wednesday, April 13th, I will be getting a manipulation from Dr. Litchfield at the London Hospital.  He will be putting me under anesthesia and bending my knee past the flexion I've been able to get on my own.  Keep your fingers crossed that it's just what I need to accelerate my recovery :)

Sunday, March 28, 2010 9:59:05 PM

Injury status: Approximately 100 degrees of knee flexion.. got one more month to work hard on my own before

possibly needing the surgeon's 'help' again.

Vacation status:  Joining Emily Brydon and the crew in Mexico to celebrate both her birthday and retirement at

the end of April! 

Sunday, March 28, 2010 9:58:23 PM

Injury status: Approximately 100 degrees of knee flexion.. got one more month to work hard on my own before possibly needing the surgeon's 'help' again.

Vacation status:  Joining Emily Brydon and the crew in Mexico to celebrate both her birthday and retirement at the end of April! 

Tuesday, March 09, 2010 5:00:47 PM

Launch of the New Site !!!
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