Getting 25th place has never felt so extraordinary.

Last weekend was my first race in eight months. It was my first race since I had 28 holes poked in my femur. First race since I spent six weeks on crutches, and six months doing rehab. It was my fourth time scoring a World Cup top-30 in GS, ever. And I accomplished all of this on just 22 days of training over the last month and a half.

I did not ski my best GS in Panorama last weekend, but simply getting a second run in my first race back since my injury was a tremendous accomplishment. I know that I have much better skiing in me, but just starting the season on such a positive note makes me really optimistic for the rest of the season.

Although Panorama is traditionally an easy hill, the conditions this time around made it quite tough. Because there was such limited snow, only the race hill was skiable, leaving us nowhere to properly warm up prior to the race. They also decided to treat a majority of the gates—basically all right-footers—with water, making the snow extremely hard and icy. The inconsistent and challenging snow made the first run of the race pretty brutal. I definitely didn’t feel good on the exceptionally long course, but I skied well enough to get 25th for the run, and qualify for second run.

I ran fifth second run and definitely felt like I skied a lot better. I got launched pretty big off a roll towards the top of the course, but felt like I recovered and made my way back into the course with satisfactory grace… I was very surprised to be 2.4 seconds out when I came into the finish area. I guess it was one of those runs where I skied decently, but just wasn’t quite fast. Still, finishing 25th for the day, out of 72 racers, was more than respectable.

It is such a relief to have my first race out of the way. Now that I have Panorama under my belt, I feel like such a weight has lifted off my shoulders. All of the apprehension and pressure I felt during my six months of rehab has disappeared.

So often I questioned if making a comeback from my injury in such a limited amount of time was even possible. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to compete this season at all, let alone ever again… The severity of my injury was such that I even made alternate life plans, going so far as to arrange to study philosophy in Scotland for a quarter this Fall. Not many people recognize it, but racing last weekend was the most powerful statement I have made in my career.

It blows my mind to think of everything I have gone through over the last six months…and to think how far I have come. Pretty cool.

I just finished my second, and final, training camp and my “comeback” continues to go better than I ever expected…

Two weeks ago, I started skiing Downhill and Super G for the first time in seven months in Copper Mountain, Colorado. It only took me a few runs before I was back up to speed again. My coaches were thrilled my skiing, and I was ecstatic to have the wind in my face. I was actually surprised at how quickly I adapted to the speed, and how easily my technique came back… I suppose after ten years of being on the U.S. Ski Team, some things become second nature!

It was encouraging to end the camp with a couple of strong Super G and GS sessions—laying down the fastest times for the day. Last November I ended my prep period by stuffing myself into the woods in Keystone, breaking my thumb, and nearly killing myself… Even though the 10,000+ foot altitude definitely takes a toll on my body, it felt good to leave Colorado in one piece this year!

It is pretty nuts to think that the twenty-two days of training I have gotten over the last month and a half compose my entire preparation for the 07-08 season. I trained a fraction of the number of days I normally do, and overcame a serious injury to do so… Despite this, I truly feel like I have only positive things to build on going into this season. I feel more confident than ever.

Everything seems to be falling into place. My equipment is clicking, my technician Haffey is doing an amazing job with my skis, my coaches are being exceptionally encouraging, and the dynamics on the Team are super positive. I am really excited for the competition season to kick-off this weekend in Panorama, B.C. My last race prior to my injury was in Panorama last March… and I won it… Can’t think of a better place to start off a winning season!!