Wow I feel like it has been forever since I blogged. I have been doing so many fun things and have been around so many fun inspirational people that I think I might have just overloaded. I am in a unmotivated state. Not in a bad way, just different. I think maybe its the travel and high elevation. We are already back in Chile. It has been one year of skiing for me. We are in Valle Navado and the sun is shinning and the snow is white. I fried my face off even though I put 5 layers of sunscreen on. I have already passed out by the pool drooling and gone on some good free skiing muscle building runs. So things are great. We had our first day of training and it went well.

The rule, again designed to make the discipline safer (why is it needed, asks Ted, if the 3 injuries in GS the last few years were not caused by equipment, but rather by other factors in control of the race organizers), requires the ski radius minimum to be bumped up from the current 27m to no less tan 40m. The results, Ligety explains, will be a discipline that’s no safer, less turn-y, and ruled by bigger, heavier guys who can handle the beefier skis. The more agile and smaller skiers will be at a severe disadvantage.

All this will have the ultimate effect that the sport will be less exciting, not at all safer and most tragically suck the interest for the sport right out of the new younger generations.

But my words don’t do justice to the issue. Read Ted Ligety’s thoughts yourself and judge for yourself just how unhappy he is…

>> Read Ted’s thoughts at his blog: http://www.tedligety.com/

What do you think? Do you agree with Ted or do you think FIS is making a good call? Share your thoughts with a comment, Facebook post or Tweet.

***UPDATE***
FIS and Ski Racing Suppliers met on August 24th, 2011 and came to the conclusion that the GS minimum radius would be reduced from 40m to 35m. I’d like to think racer revolt had a little something to do with it.

Whew… already more half way through my trip to New Zealand! The skiing has been good down here and I am so psyched to back on skis. Going over six months without skiing is far too long! I have been skiing two days on snow followed by a rest day. We have been sticking to this plan to make sure the stress of skiing isn’t too much for my leg and so far it is working! I have had four days on snow and plan to get another four or five days before I leave. My leg hasn’t bothered me too much which is really encouraging to me, it has been a lot of work to make it back on snow and it feels great to see my hard work pay off. Each day I am on snow my leg feels better, just taking it a few days to get back in the swing of it! I have been doing a ton drills down here trying to find my balance and a solid body position again. Not gonna lie, I felt like a total dork the first day back on snow, just struggling all day to figure things out but the drills have been very productive and yesterday I was even carving one ski turns on slalom skis! I know what everyone is thinking, slalom skis and I normally don’t get along but I promise that I was totally ripping on them! I really want to take off and go fast, and maybe get a little out of control… but that will have to wait till next camp I suppose. Dang. Skiing here is not without its challenges, there have been a few crazy out of control people skiing around that have tried to T-bone me at least ten times, I’m not worried about my leg anymore it’s the other people around that make me nervous. I may not be running Downhill right now but I’m still livin on the edge… Aside from skiing I have partaken in the normal activities around Queenstown, on our arrival day we made the customary visit to Fergburger (THE best burger joint ever. I highly recommend it to everyone that visits Queenstown) and each had a burger the size of my head. I’m not kidding; it’s pretty intense to eat a whole Fergburger. They are HUGE, but so tasty. I have been going for a lot of walks and may even try to get into some golf today. My golfing skills are minimal but I like to try and channel my inner Rickie Fowler and see what happens, which usually isn’t much more than me whiffing and missing the ball completely. For now I will be keeping it in control and pretty casual on the hill to get my ski legs back, but just wait…I’ll be back soon enough! Cheers!

Skiing again!

I hope you are enjoying your summer, wherever you are. Over here in Mt.Hood we are dealing with all kinds of weather conditions, but we are enjoying some great summer snow. I am coaching for Mt.Hood Summer Ski Camps during the week, and enjoying the river, kiteboarding on the weekend. On Monday the 27th, we had two very successful signings with Ted, at both Fuxi’s, and the Mount Hood Alpine Racing Center (Owned by Bob Olsen). All kinds of teams showed up, from Franconia New-Hampshire to the Manitoba Provincial Team. The Mount Hood Alpine Racing Center signing was mainly spearheaded by Ben Drummond of HEAD USA, and Shred was of course rocking.

Fuxi held a raffle/quiz during the signing to make sure that the most avid ski racing fans got rewarded with some Sweet Shred Shwag. Fans ranged, from little rippers (4-10yoa) to masters racers to coaches. They were especially excited about a sweet pair of Green Saoza’s that were the grand prize. Some fans were starstruck, and some were the complete opposite. Actually during the signing at Olsen’s, two guys asked Ted to take a picture of them! It was pretty hilarious, Ted took it in stride and then they asked for a picture with him. Here are some pics from the event!

It would seem to me that if you’re a racer looking for a weekend of mentorship and inspiration, hitting Mount Hood and hanging with Ted Ligety is what you want to be doing. Just being in the mere presence may rub off and elevate your game! ANd of course, the Mount Hood Alpine Racing Center is a great place to get your summer snow time on.

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Ted with his Proteges

Ted Ligety and Andrew Weinbrecht have hauled in Olympic hardware, World Cup globes and World Championship wins and are now offering their skills up in a summer ski camp at Mount Hood.

While Ted’s clinic has already begun, Andrew’s is still forthcoming. Here are the dates:

Week 1
Dates: June 25 – July 1
Coach: Ted Ligety – GS and SL.

Week 2
Dates: July 1 – July 7
Coach: Andrew Weibrecht – GS and SL

For all the details and registration, check out: http://www.skicampsinc.com/about.php

Paralympic Joachim Roethlisberger 3rd in the Standing Devision Giant Slalom

But when you see him on the race hill, you wouldn’t know he’s got anything holding him back at all. In the recent Swiss final championships in St. Moritz, he snagged a Bronze Medal in the “standing” devision (one of three divisions next to “bling” and “sitting”).  In the last 2 seasons he’s reeled in 3 podium performances, including 2 1st place finishes. He’s not only a ripping for Paralympic Skier, but a rippin’ skier period!

Congratulations Joachim for going for it and just going for what your heart desires! We’re super stoked for you and wish you a great summer and of course next season.

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The people at Bachelor caught up with Ted Ligety and documented his stay… check it:

Mt Bachelor closes to skiing/ riding at the end of May (1 more week!), so if you want to get your Shred on, you’ll have to hit that ASAP.