Since I returned from the deserts of the Middle East, I've not only gained some perspective and appreciation on my own life, but have delved into the opportunities provided me.  Many people ask what it is I do in the "off time" between races and seasons, and also what I do with my free time outside of training. 

Luckily for me, free time is often synonymous with training.  With the help of our new training facilities and an educated and energetic staff in Park City, Utah, this has never been more true.  I have a new fervor for training inside and out of the gym.  That energy was translated--relatively immediately--into some productive snowboarding during an exciting trip to South America, where our first competition of the season was held.

I had difficulty maintaining my positive energy as we arrived in Argentina, greeted by four consecutive days of rain and depleting snowlines.  Three weeks was starting to seem like an eternity.  Despite very few sunny days, we took advantage of the fact that we had snow at all and got enough on-snow time to feel very comfortable testing our limits once the skies parted. 

Keeping that positive attitude bade well for us and our Karma, so it seems, as two of the only truly enjoyable weather days fell on those of our competition.  Despite the good weather, I felt a cloud over my head due to the technical nature of the first fifty meters of our race course.  An eight-pack of tight rollers proved to be quite a challenge, even for my usually agile legs, and ultimately led to my less than satisfactory qualifying time.  After the first day, I did find myself in the heat races, but in 16^th.  Less than ideal, but it could have been worse.

The following day, I trained the start features before the race, achieving less than stellar improvement, but good enough to plow through the heats and into the finals.  None of this was without incident, however!  Not once did I catch a holeshot.  I was able to win each heat up until the finals, but had to make at least one pass per race.  Come finals, I looked down the line to see the top three qualifiers standing abreast, with me, number 16, rounding it out.  Confident from my previous heats, I put forth a good effort, but a collision with second place finisher for the day and Gold medalist of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Seth Wescott, proved to take away too much speed to make any critical passes, leaving me in 3^rd place for the day.

Did I mention this was not only our first World Cup event of the season, but our first Olympic qualifier as well?  A podium always feels good, but despite this being my first podium on which I didn't stand in first place, I felt I had achieved something nearly unachievable.  One step closer to the Olympic Team.  Here's to Team USA in 2010!  Look out, Vancouver, we're bringin' the heat!