Tromso, Norway Tranquility

I returned Tromso, Norway for the final ISMF ski mountaineering World Cup sprint with one objective in mind: to give it my best and feel good about my race.  I had some time before the race to enjoy the tranquility of Tromso, Norway, the 69th lattitude north, almost to the Arctic Circle.

Tranquility of Tromso

Click here to see a video of Nina Live before the weekend of racing

Start of the World Cup Sprint 12 noon Saturday

The start of the semi finals

Striding towards the zone  in the final (photo stephan mantler)

Giving your best does not guarantee a gold. In fact in my family we emphasize giving your best as working your hardest, and facing the challenges of day to day life with a smile, whether it might be spelling words, or training in the rain and wind.

Start of the Finals -Nina Far right

 On Saturday in Tromso city center I felt like I was on home turf and the season came together for me. It is not every day that your legs feel good in a race. Thanks to those who helped me with my training this year and my own intuition, things felt like they came together.

Forging up the finals in the boot pack

People often talk  about being in the “zone” whether it is in their work, career, music or in sports where everything feels good and it comes naturally.

Skate section

 On this Saturday, I really good feelings in all rounds,  not only my legs, but also even more importantly my heart. I simply had a happy race which is what my 7 yr old always reminds me to have.

going for the finish

Going home with a gold medal for a 2nd year in a row means a lot to me. I had a tremendous amount support from my family & friends. I could not have done it with out their encouragement ,

Nina’s gold medal finish!

Particularly my husband who has believed in me from the beginning of this journey we have taken together in the pursuit of excellence.  For me it’s been the journey of getting here that really is the most meaningful and what counts, the sweat, & tears, dedication and now celebration. I  hope that we can inspire others to follow their own dreams.

The Womens Sprint Podium Flower Ceremony Gold- Nina SIlitch USA Silver- Emelie Gex Fabrey CH- Bronze Mirielle Richard CH

The following video is a small celebration of a big dream.

If you had asked me 20 years ago what I would be doing at the age of 40, I certainly would have never imagined to have pursued excellence in the sport of ski mountaineering at the world cup level. Being committed to a high level of fitness involves flexibility, endurance and strength, just as in life.

The fitness of life

 I could not have achieved this pursuit of excellence without being a mother. Both go hand in hand and have taught me grace, strength, endurance and flexibility. In the sprint, it is the transitions that count, and to breathe though the transitions makes all the difference, just as in life.

Sharing the local newspaper with xcountry ski star Lars Berger

It is grace that I can take with me to other parts of my life. This culmination of joint efforts,  the love of sport, passion for the mountains and commitment to a dream has been a true high light for me and my family.  This win is a historical win medal for the United States, as it’s the 2nd gold  medal win in ski mountaineering history for the USA. [editor: Nina has won the only three medals ever won in the World Cup by an American: 2 World Cup golds, and 1 World Championships silver.]

                                   Thanks to so many who helped make this dream a reality.

   DREAM BIG

                &

  Live your life in grace

                   and

Breathe through the transitions! 

CLICK HERE FOR A Little video of  NINA on YOUTUBE of the SPRINT WEEKEND 

Nina post medal Ceremony on the docks of Tromso Port

Thank you to my sponsors:

Ski Trab, Swix, Plum, Camelbak, Petzl, WCC, Hammer Nutrition, Pomoca, Texner, Wild Roses, Smartwool, Oakley, Rich

And a big thanks also who helped me with my training this year! Adam St. Pierre

Nina happy to share the podium with (1)Mireille Richard of Switzerland and (3)Emile Forseberg of Sweden. A historic medal for Nina & North America

Winning a silver medal at the Ski Mountaineering World Championships in the sprint event is a dream come true for me. I have really focussed on the sprint this year and the hard work is paying off.

Find your strong!

Never would I have imagined myself here 10 years ago when I  first moved to Europe and had not even tried randonee skiing. It was 6 years ago when I attended my first skimo worlds in Switzerland, just 2 years after my 2nd child and 1 year after starting the sport.

The USA 2008 Ski Mountaineering Team at the World Championships in Switzerland (very well organized by the way!)

Unfortunately that year, I came down with strep throat and was unable to compete. My mom flew over from the States to watch and instead helped me with my 2 & 4 year old boys and nursed me with chicken soup. Needless to say it was a great intro into the sport itself and its potential worldwide.

Opening Ceremony of skimo World Champs in 2008 with my boys (then 2 & 4)

Since then I have been to the 2010 world championships in Andorra and 2011 in Claut, Italy. I was remembering that the first year I merely had a goal to finish the races, so 3 years later, to stand on a world championship podium is really a dream for me and says a lot about how the sport has influenced my life.

The Flower Ceremony (never would I have dreamed to be standing here)

For me this medal is a culmination of my own pursuit of personal excellence which I could not have done with out the support of so many on this journey; it is also a personal victory as a woman and a mother which has been inspired by many in my life: athletes, coaches, teachers, artists, family, friends and more.

Here are a few shots from the sprint race

Nina starting off strong

charging in the kick turns in the qualifier (photo mark smiley)

Transition Zone to boot pack (photo mark smiley)

Nina giving it her best in the women’s final

Downhill through the gates remembering my few years as an alpine racer

Happy at the finish! Dreams coming to real life!

I am very happy to have discovered  this sport that brings much joy and passion to so many here today and most importantly it brings me a smile.

A happy and proud mommy

I am dedicated to being an advocate for the sport of ski mountaineering, especially for women and to help create a ripple affect of passion for the sport world wide.

Some of Team USA gals-McKenna Douglas, Janelle Smiley, Meredith Edwards & Nina at World Champs

I will continue to strive to empower and inspire others, especially women and mothers to reach high for their own dreams and believe in the impossible.

Keep your sparkle & follow your dreams

It was a real pleasure to race in Courchevel this weekend at the French National Championships in Sprint. I was happy to feel strong and take the victory for the women, as well as remedy my error from the last world cup sprint in Switzerland. The organization and FFME put on an excellent course and event.  Congrats Axelle Molleret, the young espoir, who takes the French National Title in Sprint for her nation and to Marion Maneglia who takes the Vice Champion. Also a big shout out to my teammates Valentine Fabre who took the title of Vice Champion of France in the Vertical and our coach, Yann Gachet, who takes the title of French National Champion in Sprint. It was a great international weekend of racing with the trail running world champion Emilie Forsberg of Sweden breaking the Dynafit uphill record and Kilian Jornet, of Spain, now a member of Chamonix Ski Alpinisme club, taking the men’s vertical victory, as well as Melenie Bernier of Canada showing a strong performance in both events.

Nina dominating in the Sprint Final

A big shout out of thanks to Wild Roses, Petzl, Hammer Nutrition, Camelbak , Swix, Plum, Ski Trab for all their support. Thanks to Adam at Boulder Center for Sports Medicine for helping me get strong. Also Kikkan Randall who continues to inspire me! Kuddos to her for her lastest sprint win in Sochi!

Now it’s all hands on deck for next week at the Ski Mountaineering World Championships in Pelvoux, France. I am super excited to meet up with the rest of the United States team for this week of great racing.

Axelle Molleret(2) , Nina Silitch(1), Marion Maneglia (3)

Nina dominating in the sprint semi-finals (photo credit Stephan Mantler)

This was the closest world cup ski mo race to my home and it was amazing to have my family there to cheer me on, also great to see how many racers from our Chamonix Ski Club were there too.

A collection of photos from the weekend

I was really glad to feel so strong in the sprint world cup semi-finals, and feel that all the hard work of the past months are starting to pay off.

Strength Training for sprint racing

Even though I won the semi finals, I got knocked out of the finals due to penalty with a new rule on poles w/ ISMF. That was a bummer, but there are many more sprints to come and I will get em’ next time.

A collection of photos from Swiss WC

What a treat it was for my boys to have a visit with the US Nordic Team training in Les Saisies, France. A huge thanks to them all for taking the time to hang and visit and ski.

A great visit with the gang: Andy Newell, Holly Brooks, Birken, Simi Hamilton, Anders, Tad Elliot, Liz Stephan

The boys stoked!

These guys and gals on the nordic team  have been a huge inspiration for me, especially the sprinters, Kikkan Randal & Andy Newell. I wish you all a continued success this season!

Nina dominating in the Sprint Semi-final

 What’s next? This weekend, French Nationals in Sprint and just around the corner, World Championships in Pelvoux, France where I will be joined by other members of the US Skimo Team.

Nina Win’s AlpiTigne Sprint

My  ski mountaineering season kicked off with the first race of the season here in the Chamonix Valley in the 8th of December a little later than the alpine and nordic races in Europe.

Being in a heavy training period I was not expecting super results, but pleased to be not far behind Gloriana Pellisier of the Italian team and World Champion Sky Runner Emilie Forsburg in her debut of skimountaineering. I even took the top step for the Veterans podium and always enjoy racing on my home turf.

Great to be kicking and gliding again!

The holidays kicked off with a wonderful visit from my parents who originally gave me the gift and love of skiing, kicking & gliding in my back yard in Vermont and weekend trips up to Bromley mountain & skipping school to ski! (Don’t tell my kids!;-)

Mom & Dad kicking and gliding on the Chamonix Trails

The boys have been getting out kicking and gliding too in our own back yard, practicing their sprint starts!

A & B practicing their sprint starts just like their mom!

Anders had a little early season setback…and its working hard to get strong again on my bike!

Anders (6) Training hard to get his leg strong for skiing again

We celebrated a special birthday (20 yrs x 2 ) with my family & friends. Thanks to the Albert Premiere for their wonderful hospitality.

Nice to get dressed up in something other than a skimo race suit!

Our Chamonix Ski Alpinisme Club  organized a womens’ training weekend to help grow the sport of ski mountaineering for women, as it is a very male dominated sport, much like many endurance sports. It was a weekend that coincided with a night uphill race in La Clusaz, home of World Cup x country skier Vincent Vittoz. We had a great turnout for the weekend with over 10 women involved in the training weekend. I particularly liked the race for a good hard training as it had a sprint start on skate skis. followed by a short downhill and transition to uphill w/ skins on.

Getting ready to start at La Clusaz night race

Click on the following link  video to see the start where I was inspired by Kikkan Randal. I continue to be inspired by the USA womens ski team’s strong performances this year, especially Kikkan approaching her injury with such tenacity!   IMG_0850

Just before Christmas my team ventured down to Tignes for the first Sprint race of the season. The race was a coupe du France and it was great to get in the sprint game again. Chamonix Ski Alpinisme showed a strong performance there taking both men and womens wins overall and 2nd woman. The first World Cup Sprint kicks off in Switerland at the Alpiniski the 24th of January.

Podium Women AlpiTignes Coupe du France

A couple more weeks of hard training before the season really begins with French nationals on the 6th followed by the first skimo World Cup the 9th/10th of January in the Tyrol Italy.

My Christmas Present! Thanks SkiTrab! So happy to be skiing on the best!

Here’s a little slide show of what’s been going on in our world….

From our family to yours, Wishing you a happy & healthy holiday season and a great start to your ski season!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Thanksgiving Training in Italy

Thanksgiving is here! What kind of moving will you be doing? Some of you will be suiting up for your local Turkey Trot 5k, others may have an afternoon family football game. My dad has already made turns at Sugarloaf which has great early season skiing. Some US nordic skiers are in West Yellowstone doing a snow dance , while other US national nordic and alpine teams are suiting up for their World Cup season in Europe.

Cervinia has great snow and sunshine this time of year

The skimountaineering World Cup European season gets underway the 2nd weekend in January, with the actual race season mid december to end of april. That gives me more time to get some quality training in in the next month and 1/2 .  I have been grateful to get on snow a little earlier than normal this year as the neighboring resort of Cervinia (2050m), home of the Matterhorn on the Italian side has plenty of snow. I came here with my family for some early season skiing and training.

The boys excited to make their first turns of the season

Our local Chamonix Ski Alpinisme club had a pre season training camp in Cervinia as well. A great way to kick off the season together and do some training.

Chamonix Ski Alpinisme Training Camp

Just this week the Grand Course opened its new races for 2012/2013 with a ceremony in Arvier, Italy. There I was very thankful to be honored as a top finisher behind M. Miro, L . Roux. tied for 1st, and R. Pedrazini and F. Martinelli tied for 2nd. I was just behind them. It takes a huge commitment to compete in this series. They have a great line up for the next 2 years.

The Grande Course ceremony. Nina was awarded for her top finish with a nice bottle of Enfer wine

I have lived overseas now in the Alps for over ten years, missing the great family  Thanksgiving gatherings, football games and turkey trots.  Finally, I have  figured out how to order the turkey from the local butcher, convert the kilos to pounds and figure out how long to cook the bird. I have made lots of mistakes in the kitchen. Some successes and failures. I even tried making sweet potatoes with marshmallows which was not a hit with my 6 and 8 year old boys!  But what is always a hit is spending time with friends and family and sharing a meal of thanks together.

Let’s be thankful for what we have

Happy Thanksgiving where ever you are. 

Roller Ski Training in Switzerland

As we turn back the clocks and try to savor a few hours of morning light, I reflect on the magnificent recent change of season in the Alps. Today, snow dusted our lawn and blanketed the hills. Temperatures dropped to -4 degrees. I am not sure I could live anywhere where there were no changes of seasons. To me, it brings renewed strength, challenge and energy. The change of season is good for our health, to cleanse from the summer months, and bring new energy inside and refocus on what’s to come.  The changing of the leaves, the temperatures, change of sports, energy levels and perspectives. I try to take a deep breath in and out and embrace what is to come.

The family send off before Michael and Birken start their Tour de Suisse

We have had some amazing Indian Summer days this past month.  I spent a good part of September recovering from the CCC, the 100 Km Mont Blanc Ultra Trail I did end of August,, kicking off the school year and enjoying family time. Prior to the start of school, Michael and Birken took a bike trip around Switzerland, covering much of the route he passes on when he guides with Bike Switzerland .

School got off to a start in early September, and the boys were very eager to get back to see their friends.

Start of First Grade -French Style CP

I managed to get in some great last trail runs between the rain storms of September and into the Indian summer days of October.

Holding onto summer trail running just a bit longer…

Come October, I enjoyed more time on the bike, enjoying the cols around Chamonix.

A rainy day at the Chirvathalon Team race

We had bike rides in the rain and shine…..

Birki biking across the Swiss countryside

Indian summer days with fresh snow in the mountains

Steller colors in the Alps on our hike up to the Plan d’aiguille

Our ski alpinisme club hiked up the Plan d’aiguille for a training and social.

Birken made a good effort hiking up to Plan d’aiguille with our Chamonix Ski Alpinisme team

Roller skiing has been a bigger focus this last month. It can be logistically complicated to get up those 800 meter climbs and then get down…

Roller Skiing with Mont Blanc in the distance

One of the highlights for the school children is the local schools’ cross country race. It combines all the local schools, with ages from 1st to 5th grade. It is a great way for the children to value the  importance in working towards a goal in sport and finding the confidence to reach the finish line. Both our boys took part this year , Anders 2nd in his division and Birken 3rd in his.

Anders before the race with his friend

Cervinia opened  mid October.The first day back on snow always feels a bit strange, but kind of like riding a horse….you never forget.. Just my transitions were not lightning fast.

First Ski of the season at Cervinia

What is the winter  season shaping up to be? For me, the big races will start in January with the French National individual race,  then the first World cup kicking off 2nd weekend in January. This year there are 5 World Cup races, including 3 sprints, 2, verticals and 5 individuals. All of these races will holds the same number of points. The World Championships will be held in Pelvoux, France and will include Team. Sprint, Vertical, Individual and Relay. All but the Relay and Team will count towards overall World Cup points.

Michael has joined the ISMF team to help with the growth of skimountaineering in other nations with the ultimate goal of it being an olympic sport one day. The sport must show a presence of a wide range of nations on all continents. We will see this year at the world championships if there are more nations competing.

Line up of the World Cup ISMF calendar 2012

The other big races on the SkiMo calendar will be the Grande Course series. Coming up in November the Grand Course will launch a reception the 2013/2014 courses and they will honor the athletes in the top rankings. I will join the other athletes in this ceremony for my 5th place position.  This year’s Grande Course Races: Pierra Menta, Adamello and Mezzalama. And a new big race is the UltraTrak in Zermatt. I will see how it goes and if I will compete in any of these this year. I find it a lot to balance  the World Cup, the Grande Course and be the best mom I can be.

Realize your dreams!

Podium Women's Sprint Tromso, Nina Silitch (USA), 2, A. Figura (POL), 3, E. Gex-Fabrey (SUI)

Winning the World Cup Ski Mountaineering Sprint on April 14th, 2012 in Tromso, Norway is a dream come true for me. It is a culmination of reaching for something that felt somewhat unattainable, committing and believing. When I stepped on the airplane to Tromso Norway and flew all the way up north, across the Arctic circle to the 69^thdegree latitude, I had no idea that I was going to come home with a gold medal.

Flying North

 I set off simply to have a “happy race” as Anders, my youngest son told me to have.

Mommy-Have a Happy race!

Norway is a country that holds a special place in my heart. My first visit to Norway was in 2003 when Michael and I made a journey to ski the famous Birkebeiner World Loppet cross county ski race traversing 55km of the mountain range  near Lillehammer. Needless to say that spring I not only skied the Birkebeiner, but also ran the Paris marathon with my best friend,  followed shortly after by my first haute route with Michael and friends on my first randonee/ski mountaineering set up.

A beautiful country and culture

Growing up skiing in New England both alpine and cross country I did love snow sports thanks to my parents and some inspiration from some great coaches at Holderness and Dartmouth. Back then sports were important to me, but I never really gave them the commitment and dedication it takes to excel further to a higher level as I have done the past two years. It really was the trip to Norway in 2003 that planted a seed to come back one day.

Birki and Anders

Our boys, Birken and Anders, were given Scandinavian names,  hence one of the reasons the local Tromso paper wanted to interview me the day before the Sprint race. It was somewhat serendipitous that during the interview the journalist asked me what  my expectations were  for the weekend. I replied that I had my sights set on the Sprint race.

Newspaper article in Tromso paper the day before sprint race. Translation not available

And lo and behold, the next day I took the victory.

What is the sprint race in Ski Mountaineering? The sprint was introduced a few years ago to the sport of ski mountaineering in an effort to bring more spectators to the sport.

A view of the start of the final women's sprint race with the town square view

The notion of the ski mountaineering sprint has grown from the World Cup Sprints that take place in cross-country skiing in large cities like Milan (IT) or Bern (CH), Drammen (NO). The local city of Tromso, with 70,000 residents, trucked loads of snow in to prepare for the World Cup event on Saturday where crowds of spectators were able to watch the exciting event as they did their market shopping.

This was the first time a skimo sprint has taken place in a town center and it was also the first time in history a North American has won a World Cup event in ski mountaineering. Typically alpine countries such as France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland dominate the sport.

The start of the women's sprint final

The Sprint formula is like in world cup cross country sprints: It is comprised of an individual qualification round to win the access to the quarter finals followed by the semi finals and finals. One must adapt to the terrain so not all courses are alike.

Start on skinning 

Women's Sprint Semi Final (kicking & gliding section)

kick turns/ conversions

Approaching the boot pack

bootpack with skis on the pack.

Downhill

Obstacles on the downhill

Skate section

Skating past the downtown library

Finish skating to the line.

Finish at women's final! Where are the other girls?

Athletes must be not only quick on the skis but also quick in the transition to excel at this event which lasts 2 ½ – 3 ½ minutes. 

Click here on this You Tube video to see some footage of the women’s sprint final in Tromso.  Here you can see really what the sprint course is all about.

Here are some more articles and photos of the sprint:

Tromso Journal

RESULTS WORLD CUP SPRINT 

OVERALL World cup men and women 

Norwegian Ski.Alpinisme 

It feels like ages ago when Chamonix Club des Sports and the chamonix ski alpinisme club hosted the French National Championships in January. Being the President, it was unsure if I would be able to compete in this event, but I was really determined to make it happen.  It was an upbeat atmosphere with my friends and family cheering from the sidelines. I was crowned vice-champion of the sprint behind World Champion Laetitia Roux. I took home a gold medal for winning the veterans category.  The first world cup sprint was cancelled in Italy due to lack of snow leaving only one sprint event in this years ski mountaineering world cup in the final world cup 3 months later. My most recent races lately have been between 2 and 4 hours rather than 2-4 minutes! Ouf, Quite an extreme difference.!

In Norway, Nina had fasted qualifying time, won the semi finals and the finals- she even beat 16 out of 28 world cup men overall

Being American, I was not authorized to participate in the European championships in Pelvoux France this year, even though the sprint would have been the event I would have loved to compete in. Maybe I will join in next year at the world championships when they are at Pelvoux, France.

Results from the Sprint World Cup

Since living in Europe we have optimal coverage of world cup ski racing both alpine and Nordic. Michael, being, a huge fan of world cup nordic skiing was often watching the sprint races calling me to come watch. It was not through osmosis that Marit Bjorgen, Norwegian world champion cross country superstar, and Kikkan Randall, American, the current world cup sprint champion soon became inspirations to me in the sport.

The view of the fjords

I feel like I  share a special kind of bond with Kikkan Randall. I don’t know her personally but she has a mission to help encourage young girls and women in sport through her program Fast and Female. She has been dedicated to her sport through thick and thin in the Sprint discipline and beyond.  I remember her saying once about what she did for her win and she simply replied that she stayed relaxed, focused and smiled. For me staying relaxed, focused and smiling is ultra important to any success.

She is the first American to win a world cup sprint in cross-country skiing, none the less the World Cup crystal globe this year . (she also likes pink). She has made history for the sport of cross country skiing in the USA.

Making history being the 1st North American to win a world cup ski mo event

Like Kikan, I, too, feel proud to have made history, being the first North American to win a world cup event in ski mountaineering.

Tromso was a port of tranquility for me. There was a calming and centered feeling when looking out in the water with the ships passing. The sun rose early and I woke to calls of seagulls close by.

Morning meditation

I used to rock climb a lot BC (before children).  It was a real passion that I shared with many friends. I remember working on a climb, which was hard, 11 c+,  probably one of my hardest routes I have led. It was overhanging, steep and some holds that were hard to reach. I was determined and focused to do the route without falling or hanging, clean, with grace. I finally got the route, free, and clean and was happy. My friend said after, ‘ boy you have a lot of tenacity’.

Tenaciously climbing

It was this kind of tenacity and grace  that has helped me train for the sprints, working the transitions until they were clean and fast, fluid and ultimately graceful. It was one of those races where I felt really happy and alive. And even better was the journey it took to get there way up north above the arctic circle.

Tromso is 69' north of the equator, way up there!

To me the sprint embodies a metaphor for life itself:  a series of rounds, with obstacles, challenging transitions,  ups and downs, highs and lows, fast and furious, calm and centered. The sprint challenges one’s ability to stay calm and focused amidst a storm, breathe through challenging transitions, move forward from mistakes and be tenacious until the end with a smile.

Happy to find Grace in Tromso

There is a certain busy-ness and hubbub that can take over our daily lives and overwhelm us. Being a mother of two active young boys, managing a household can be very hectic if you make it, but to do it with grace and a smile is the ultimate victory for me. The sprint event takes the same amount of grace.  This victory for me symbolizes a culminated effort, and in my mind a victory of grace. It is one I will continue to strive to embody in how I live my life, approach my work and how I raise my children.  

Nina keeping the Grace

 I have so much gratitude for all those who have helped me reach this goal. My husband and boys have stood behind this dream 100%. I could not have done it without the help of so many individuals, my parents,  friends and sponsors. 

Namaste

Pure Sicilian Sunshine (Photo from www.stephanmantler.com)

There is also Mt. Etna, the most active volcano in Europe.  Did you know that the first ice cream came from Sicily? Greeks and Romans sent runners  to the top of the Etna slopes to get some snow, which was then sweetened with Sicilian honey,  nuts and berries.

What you probably don’t think of is skiing, a ski-mountaineering World Cup none-the-less. Well, there is in fact skiing on Mt. Etna!  The locals are also passionate about ski mountaineering on this active, unpredictable volcanic peak. The 2nd World Cup, in a 5 world cup series was held on snowy slopes of Mt. Etna, in the dichotomy of the sea against the snow.  Perhaps we were not so different from the runners of roman times, only we racers were running around in lycra race suits and skis on our feet!

Racers in lycra suit on Mt Etna (www.stephanmantler.com)

The night before we arrived, Sicily received over 2meters  of fresh snow. That is over 6 feet for those of you who think in inches!

Officially "snowed under!"

There was so much snow, not only the access road was blocked, but also the chairlifts.

Officially snowed under (parking lot of Mt. Etna Ski area)

Thanks to a hard, working Sicilian road crew, just like Katy and the Big Snow, (a book my boys love), we were able to get to the race. 

The most baffling thing was that even though it snowed 2 meters, there was no powder!

Sicilian Snow Removal

The snow quickly transformed and condensed to hard pack. Skiing down was like skiing in sand, with a layer snow crystals washing over the hard surface, making a very cool swishing noise. I was stoked I could use my new swix poles with super lightweight baskets! Thanks Swix and Michael for prepping them in time!

More great shots from Stephan! www.stephanmantler.com

There was a real rendezvous of nations here for this race, with the top athletes in ski mountaineering circuit from France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. We were welcomed in an opening ceremony of parade of nations. Friday the vertical race was straight up the slopes of the volcan with a boot pack in the middle. This was a nice change from the  the normal straight up against gravity verticals.

Opening Ceremony of Etna World Cup

Talk about extremes. Two weeks ago when I set foot on the starting line it was -20 C, and I was sporting amour for the cold (hand warmers and mittens) and this time a complete opposite of 14 degrees Celsius. The vertical was for me all about the ‘gitter done attitude adopted from the John Deere roots in my own family.

The fight against gravity with a smile on the World Cup Vertical Race

The vertical was a pure fight against gravity, one of the steeper verticals I have done. I managed to find some  power at the boot pack and kept thinking of Anders message to me to have a happy race and finish with a smile.

from my budding little optimist

Sicilians are on Sicilian time, not Swiss time, much to the dismay of the heavily present Swiss team. It is a refreshing change  to the hubbub of today’s modern pace and one we all can all meditate on in a full breath. Briefings starting 30 minutes late, starts delayed due to traffic mayhem on the access road, no problemo. Tranquillo….just breathe…

A race with a view (photo:www.stephanmantler.com)

Saturday the heat was on and I was ready. Plenty of Hammer Nutrition Heed in my camelbak, check  Sporting my white national team suit to avoid melting in the hot sun! check . Once again, yours truly, finds her pace at the middle of the first climb. This course was not so long (1450m) with2 long climbs, and not so technical up or down so it favored those who are good climbers and difficult to gain much on the descents. I did managed to find my power on the 2nd climb and had some clean and fast transitions, passing 3 WC women, 3 FISI women, finishing 9th overall WC,  in the 82% from the winner, a drastic improvement from last year.

Nina on the 2nd downhill on the individual course (photo http://martinavalmassoi.com/)

Adventuring to the top of the Mt Etna Crater with my austrian teammate Veronika after the race was a highlight of the trip, reaching the snow summit and looking out towards the sea  in the distance breathing in the two

Looking out towards the sea

Here are some photos from the journey to the summit.

[nggallery id=13]

The ski down was spectacular! We descended over 2000 meters on soft spring snow, weaving our way through lava rocks along the way and hitched out way back to town.

 Sunshine thoughts from Sicily: 

Yoga in the Sicilian Sunshine

Sunshine strength, fresh -infused new energy,  friendships, pace for a lifetime, relish siestas in the sun, take time to read, balance, yoga in the sunshine, smile .

Mission Accomplished-Finishing with a smile (photo www.stephanmantler.com)

So that is it from Sicily.  

Next skimo world cup just 1 week away, Lagorai Cima d'Asta, Italy! (photo: www.martinavalmassoi.com/)

Staying warm in the winter chill

Arctic temperatures have blanketed the Alps these last 2 weeks, some mornings with the thermometer reading -19 C (-2 F)!  Growing up in Vermont and Maine  these frosty temps are quite common in January. Back then I grew tired of freezing my tail off at the top of a GS course. Not only did I soon switch over to a more aerobic sport , cross country skiing, to keep my engine warm  but also moved to a sunnier state, Colorado. Now I have switched over to another sport, ski mountaineering which keeps my heart and mind equally warm.

Sunshine warms the heart

I have had a little break in the World Cup calendar. Despite the Siberian temps, I have bundled up just like we did when we were kids,and headed for the mountains on my own, with friends and with my family, all heartwarming and important moments to stay balanced.

Enjoying warm winter moments as a Family

Perhaps it’s only in ski towns in France that when teachers strike and there is no school, kids go skiing! These two weeks I took advantage of having some more time to pump up the volume in my training logging more than 15,000 meters of climbing in 2 weeks, but also get out find some new terrain that I had not skied before. I headed out with a friend one day  up the Col de la Floria, a good climb from the valley floor to the top (1440+meters) There was a nice long boot pack at the top and a great steep ski coming down. Another time I explored the, Aiguille de la Gliere Nord, once again a great varied climb, boot pack, with an impressive view to the other side. It is these kind of days in the mountains that bring me warmth and a smile.

Heading to the Hills

I managed to get in some good races as well in these 2 weeks. I squeezed in 2 Mountain Ski tour uphill victories ( Flaine and Les Contamines), both excellent for my own uphill climbing but also really fun ambiance.  I did not have these on my calender but decided to go as there were not only good training opportunities but also a great chance to see another part of the Alps and go with other from my local Chamonix Ski Mountaineering club. The Tour de Grand Veymont in the Vercours region of France was also the CAF (Club Alpine Francais) national championships. This time artic temps prevailed. Mittens and hand warmers were the ticket. It was a gorgeous course, a great sunday out as a club and I came home with the win for the women and the CAF national champion title.

Tour de Grand Veymont & Trophee de Gastlosen

 The Trophee de Gastlosen is the 2nd largest race in Switzerland next to the famous Patrouille des Glaciers, with over 1200 participants. Two years ago this race was a world cup and I raced with my USA teammate and pal lyndsay. It was the first team race of the year for me with 2300 meters of climbing. I raced in Chamonix Club mixed team.  We placed 23rd overall out of 210 teams with a time of 2h53 reaching our goal of being the first mix team and also breaking three hours. It was probably the coldest temps I have ever raced in with the thermometer around -21 C. at the start but the great backdrop of the Gastlosen mountains and the technical climbs and descents kept me moving and made for an excellent day.

Warm moments together

Now it’s tapering time for the next world cup which will be held on the active volcano of Mt. Etna in Sicily, Italy. on February 24 and 25th. This volcano has been rather active these past few months so it will surely be an interesting race! See this article for pics and news. Surely the HEAT will be on in Etna.

Staying warm

This is a great time for everyone to slow down, breathe, and rejuvenate together.

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”—

Anne Bradstreet