Good News is that I have landed on the podium again at Sugar Bowl, my first North American Cup medal ever, as you can see in the picture.  It was a tough race and involved me taking out two racers in the semi-finals and in the Final’s I had the worst lane choice in the start but moved in to 3rd position quickly.  I maintained that position blocking Ontario’s David Holmes until the 3rd last jump.  I decided to try and make an pass on Stan Rey in 2nd (not so smart now, but seemed like a worthwhile plan at the time), ending up flying 40 feet off of a 10 foot ‘hip jump’.  When I landed on the flats well beyond the landing, I lost all feeling in my feet and legs from the shock and was hit in the face by my knee, I knew that I still had to try to cross the finish line.  I immediately started skating to get my speed up when I was passed by Holmes and moved safely to the finish line to claim 4th place.

To be improved upon: Having trained on snow in November and December on a race course would have helped get me closer to achieving my goal of qualifying for and winning the Olympics this year (slight financial limitations).  We all know that what I achieved these past two years since changing to this skiing discipline and aiming for 2010 far exceeded what would have been possible without dreaming big and going for it.  The way I look at it now is this way:  The Canadian 2010 Olympic Skicross team has an average age of 30 and I am still 21.  With those who choose to support me, I will embark on a four year journey to continue with my work ethic and dedication to when I realistically take home the gold for us in 2014 in Sochi Russia and moving forward to the 2018 Olympics.  I’m more excited that ever before because now I actually know it’s possible.

This winter I’m still planning on finishing the North American Cup tour with the BC Skicross Team to do my best in winning the Overall title as well as improving my result at Canadian Nationals from last year.  I will not go back to Europe for more European Cup races as it’s not financially feasible this time around.

I’m honoured to have been chose to ‘forerun’ (opening the track on race day) for Skicross at the Olympics later this month, get glued to your TV because this will be the best Olympic’s Canadian history!

Big thank you to Virtually Canadian, Bell Alliance and Vancity without whom I would not have made it through this past month of racing.

Sven

www.urbancowgirlvancouver.wordpress.com

From my racing in Australia and New Zealand in August I moved from 14th in the world for my age to 10th! TOP 10 BABY!!!!

This excites me for the next qualification race in December where I will be even stronger and faster because of my intense training with Revamped Fitness at Versus 21… I need to move up another 8 spots on that list and I know that I can do it.

Mt Hotham Race 1:

6th Place

Mt Hotham Race 2:

5th Place - New result to improve world ranking

Cardrona (NZ Winter Games):

Cancelled, weather.

All and all the numbers mean very little to you, but rest assured that I improved my world ranking from 89th to about 83rd and from 14th to 11th for my age in the world.

One more step forward in some tough races!

Next step: Germany European Cup at Grasgehren December 11th which will qualify me to get my last shot to qualify for the 2010 Olympics in my hometown!

I’m totally excited and busy ‘getting jacked’ so that I can take out my competition at the next race.  I’m just fired up and ready to go!!

http://SvenWinter.ca/files/SvenWinterTalk1410.mp3

Do you want to help Send Sven 2010? Do you have $10?  Click here to donate $10 to my dream. You will make a difference in helping send me to the Olympics.  I will make you proud.  Click here now.