U.S. Nationals didn’t go exactly the way I’d hoped or planned, but at always, it was nice to be back racing in the States. It wasn’t until the strenuous World Cup season was over and I arrived at Nationals, that I finally realized how truly tired and burnt out I was. In the Super G, which was set almost exactly like the downhill, I came down in a disappointing 9th place. I was 5th in the Giant Slalom, which was also slightly disappointing because—after missing out on Nationals last year due to my knee—I was hoping to defend my 2004 title.

Sugarloaf kicked off Nationals with an impressive Opening Ceremony, at which Daron Rahlves made a retirement speech. It was inspiring, and a little sad, to listen to the words of an athlete who’s been a tremendous role model both for me, and for American skiing in general. I can only hope to someday make the same kind of positive impression on the world of skiing as he did.

The 2006 season has come to an end, and although I have already set the bar higher for next year, I am trying to force myself to recognize what an accomplished season this was for me. If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be ranked 11th in the World at the end of my next season, I don’t think I would have even believed it. I overcame A LOT to come back from my injury, be so competitive on the World Cup Super G circuit, and to make the Olympic Team. Right now, it’s easy for me to say, ‘I wish I’d done better,’ but I also know that this season was just one step forward in a series of many. I am already excited about the prospects of the seasons to come, and I’m really looking forward to improving upon my GS during the off-season.

For now, I am hitting the books back at Dartmouth for the rest of the Spring—enjoying the diversion from skiing, at least until June…