One Shot

I have purposely hesitated mentioning the word “Olympics” or “2010” because I think it would be extremely presumptuous to think that I could fall into a sport one year and go to the Olympics four years later. However, in being chosen for the U.S. Development Team, that was the unspoken goal for me and others on the team.

When I pitched this idea to work and others, I called it a “One Shot” opportunity, meaning this was my one shot. Why? I would need to be to spend at least a year on the America’s Cup/Europa Cup Team to learn how to slide on the world’s tracks. Then, I would need a year or two on the World Cup Team sliding against the world’s best. That means 3 total years on the National Team before Olympic trails in 2010. That gives me one year on the Development Team....this year. Not only that, but I would have to be one of the 2 or 3 best sliders in the U.S. This year’s World Cup team took home the World Championship and World Cup Championship trophies. We have the best sliders in the world and I would need to beat them. See where I’m going with this....

With that, as quickly as this adventure began...it has ended for me.

Given my “part-time work, part-time training” schedule, I was not able to be competitive this year. The part-time training, along with weather related track closures, afforded me about 20 runs, whereas full-time development athletes got 70-80. No training compares to experience on the track.

My time in Lake Placid and the people I’ve met will never be forgotten. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. I plan to make this sport a part of my life for a long time, but I’ll happily move from athlete to avid fan (and hopefully occasional slider).

I thank you ALL for your words of support and encouragement.

Be on the lookout for my next adventure:

The Accidental Race Car Driver?
The Accidental Hang Glider? Para Glider? Sky Diver? (The Accidental Sky Diver does not have a very good ring to it!)

Or maybe I’ll just lay low for awhile.

Ha!

NEVER!


Again, a sincere thanks to you all!