Hi Everyone!

TeamLivy Update #4 : September 12, 2016
I hope everyone is enjoying the fall! The vibrant colors are in full swing here in Park City! Welcome to my fourth update for the 2016-17 ski season. You are receiving this update because you have supported me in my ski journey. Thank you!
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TRAINING AT PERISHER

On-Snow Training Camp in Australia

This past month of August, I have been in Australia at a on-snow training camp! The experience was quite enjoyable and productive, and as with most experiences, it had its ups and downs.

Perisher (the mountain I skied at) is located in Jindabyne, Australia, about a 4 hour drive from Sydney. At this camp, we had a full course, which set the foundation for training my top to bottom competition runs. The course was a fun challenge, as it was unlike many other courses I am used to skiing. The top section was much longer than most, and quite steep. The jumps were large and had nice shape to them, which meant that throwing tricks off of them was extremely enjoyable.

the course on toppa's dream

During this camp, my main focus was to work on my top to bottom runs, as well as integrate my back full into my run, both of which I progressed upon immensely. I am satisfied with my progress leaving the camp, and I’m more than ready to continue my progression within my training next month!

If you don't encounter setbacks in your career, if you don't have doubts and disappointments, let me tell you, you're not dreaming big enough."

~Michael Bloomberg

This on-snow camp culminated in a competition (the Australian Nationals), which was nice to get some experience under my belt with my new coaches as well as put into play what I had been working on during training in this camp. In competition, I decided to throw my back full (back lay with a full twist) on the bottom jump in order to see how it would score in competition as it has a higher degree of difficulty then the tricks that I usually perform in my run. I also wanted to get some experience with this trick in a competition as I have not competed it in awhile. Although my training of this trick had gone extremely well during the camp, unfortunately, I fell while performing it in this competition. Although this was not the result that I had hoped for, I am grateful for the fact that I had this competition experience during summer training so I can pinpoint aspects that I need to improve upon and to move forward with my progression of this trick. As I have learned from past experiences, the road to success is a very bumpy road, and there will always be obstacles that I will encounter along the way. No matter how hard it is to get back up, I know that I have to pick myself up and keep moving along this path; perseverance is key. The competition experience that I had in Australia was much less than desirable, however, I know that the day at which I will come out on top (namely with this higher degree of difficulty trick culminated in my run) is one step and one competition run closer. This inspires me to continue to work even harder to reach my goal sooner. I am more than excited for this day to come, and with how my training has been progressing, I know that this day is in my very near future.

Training My Back Full

Exploring Down Under

Outside of skiing, I was able to explore Australia a little bit, as well as start up my schooling for the year! At the end of the trip, the team was given one day to explore Sydney and all it has to offer. During this day, a few of my teammates and I visited all of the classic tourist stops, such as the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Botanical Gardens nearby. My personal favorite was the Harbour Bridge, which made for an amazing view at sunset. In addition to this, in Jindabyne (the town in which we stayed), on one of our days off, my teammates and I had the privilege of visiting the local kangaroos!

Sydney harbour bridge

The Local Kangaroos!

First Day of School in Australia

Most importantly, halfway through the camp I started my classes for my second year at Stanford OHS! The courses I’m taking this year are quite intriguing and captivating, and I am so excited for what the rest of this year has to offer in terms of what I have yet to learn. This education that I have the opportunity to experience is absolutely unmatched in all respects; I am so thankful to have an outlet by which I can get the best possible education while still able to ski at such a high level.

Back Home in Park City

I have now been home for two weeks, during which I have taken the time to focus explicitly on school as well as spending time with my family. It has been so nice to engage once again in activities together with my parents and brother such as spending time together, eating family meals, playing golf, and watching my younger brother play soccer (their team is killing it, by the way!).

My brother, frankie, playing for park city soccer club

As for the rest of this month, I will be water ramping each week, as well as working hard in the gym. I am ecstatic to continue my travels along my path to success, and I am so glad that I have you behind me along the way!

Thank you for your amazing support and kindness! I can’t express how grateful I am for your part in my journey!!

Thank YOU!

Best, Olivia :)