2016-2017… what an AMAZING season! Over 100 days skiing for the first time in my life!
I began this season with some pretty lofty goals after an encouraging rookie performance last year. I was confident going into the new season that I would improve my results from last year.
Now, while it’s true I didn’t achieve my goal of winning — or at least reaching the podium at any of the 4* events, I still managed to push myself beyond my comfort zone in every competition I entered. As a result, I was able to improve my overall results from last year. Although I had a few unexpected and disappointing crashes while competing, my strength training regiment at Wright Training kept me (knock on wood!) free from injury all season long. I realize now that I still have a lot to learn about the sport, including:
knowing in advance of my run what the judges really want to see.
knowing how to best choose an aesthetic line down the mountain.
knowing how to maximize points on my technique, and, most important…
knowing how to ultimately find my own personal style as a freeride skier.
One of my absolute favorite things about the big mountain sport, is that—no matter the results—every time I hike up to compete I become a little bit better of skier. Every time I choose a line and try to ski it as hard as I can—without any practice runs—I am pushing my skills to the next level.
Strangely, at the end of this season I ended up ranked 8th in the Americas — exactly the same place as I was last year! But I am not discouraged, because the results I had to achieve to land the 8th place this year needed to be, and were, much better than the results I had last year. I am also confident with the knowledge that I am still improving. The season has just ended, but I am already anxious to get back in the start gate.
This spring, I intend to keep skiing as long as possible, until every last bit of the snow has melted away from the Tetons. Come August, I intend to fly to Argentina to train on some wild Andes terrain while filming with some friends. For that matter, I might even participate in a couple of FWQ competitions while we’re down in the Southern Hemisphere.
Wish me luck!
Veronica Paulsen
