Hi All!

When I left you last, I had just finished my debut World Cup tour, as well as my first World Championships and was about to attend my first Junior World Championships. Needless to say, a lot has happened since then.

My Last Competition of the Season – Junior World Championships

On March 31st, I travelled first to Lake Lugano, Switzerland, with the Junior World Championship Team. Lake Lugano was gorgeous – the water was like glass – and it was nestled next to a charming town. The temperatures were quite warm there, as if it was nearly summer. Upon arriving in Milan, we stayed in Lugano for a day to do a little sightseeing and exploring before driving up to Valmalenco.

View from my Hotel Room in Lugano, Switzerland

Lugano, Switzerland

The following day we traveled 3 hours to Valmalenco, Italy, also a quaint town that had charisma not unlike Zermatt, another ski town in Switzerland that I’ve visited twice for training camps during the preparation season. Although the village had very warm temperatures and not a trace of snow, we took a tram up a steep rock face in the midst of town each morning to the ski area, which was just on the other side of the mountain. Once you got over the rock face, the atmosphere completely transformed into a snowy landscape.

The Tram We Took Up to the Mogul Course & the Back Down to the Village

The competition itself took place with the top juniors around the world of the age 19 and under. It was super fun to meet other mogul skiers around my age, whom I will hopefully see on the World Cup Tour soon. The course was the steepest I’ve ever skied, with a bottom air that had a big drop, meaning it sent you much bigger than a flat course would.

The Junior Worlds Mogul Course

The Junior Worlds Mogul Course

Having Some Fun with other Junior World Athletes

Singles Mogul Competition

On the singles competition day, I qualified first in both the qualification and final round, 7 points ahead of the rest of the field. However I unfortunately did not hold it together to keep my top position in the superfinal, as I had a few mistakes in my middle section as well as on the bottom air, which gave me major point deductions and a third place finish. (read press release)

Although it was a disappointment for me to not maintain my result, it further proved one of the most prominent things I need to work on in the off-season, which is my consistency from run to run. To reach my goals, I have to be able to maintain and improve upon my previous run each time I ski down the course, no matter what.

A positive point of the day was that Trudy Mickel, a fellow Steamboat athlete and close friend, took the win on singles day!! I was happy to stand on the podium and share this moment with her.

Junior Worlds Singles Podium – 3rd Place

My Friend, Trudy, and I

Duals Mogul Competition

As for duals, the day was pretty short, as it only consisted of 4 duals (compared to an average of 5 or 6) due to the amount of people competing. My first two duals, I competed head – to – head against two United States teammates and was able to advance on to the final rounds, where I eventually won against a girl from Russia who finished second the previous day, and another girl from Norway. I was excited about this first place finish, as it was my first duals event win ever and a personal best to finish the season! (read press release)

Junior Worlds Duals Mogul Podium – 1st Place

Family Time & Rest

Upon the conclusion of Junior Worlds, I traveled home to the welcoming arms of my family. I was home for 2 days before my family and I journeyed to California to visit my grandparents and uncle, a few of my best supporters. It was a relaxing and fun visit!! I spent my days biking around San Diego, hiking by the ocean, resting by the pool, trying to surf, keeping up with schoolwork and celebrating Easter. It was nice to take a break and spend some time with my family.

Beach Hike

Handstands on the Beach – Of Course!

A Beautiful Gift

While I was in California, I had the opportunity to meet Julia Monroe, an amazing person and jeweler, who kindly made me a symbolic necklace. The pendant on the choker was made to resemble a traditional mogul course and a sleeping beauty turquoise cabochon at the bottom representing my blue goggle frames. The piece is absolutely beautiful, and I am so glad that I got to meet the creator in person!! Check out her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StudioJules/) and Instagram page (@studiojulesartist). She is an amazing artist!

My Beautiful Gift

The Amazing Creator – Jules Monroe

And That’s a Wrap!

And, reluctantly, this is where I must leave you all! It has been an amazing season, with many new experiences, countries, foods, competitions, personal bests, struggles, and accomplishments. Throughout the past 11 months, I am so happy to have shared my journey around the world with you!

VAIL, USA —> WHISTLER, CA —> PARK CITY, USA —> PERISHER, AUSTRALIA —> PARK CITY, USA —> ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND —> PARK CITY, USA —> TIGNES, FRANCE —>RUKA, FINLAND —> PARK CITY, USA —> STEAMBOAT, USA —> LAKE PLACID, USA —>STEAMBOAT, USA —> DEER VALLEY, USA —> PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA —>TAZAWAK0, JAPAN —> THAIWOO, CHINA —> PARK CITY, USA —> SIERRA NEVADA, SPAIN —> STEAMBOAT, USA —> VALMALENCO, ITALY —> PARK CITY, USA

I am so unbelievably thankful to have each and every one of you as a part of my invaluable support team. Whether you have donated to my journey, or sent well-wishes my way, or shown me your support by an alternative method, your actions fuel my fire and inspire me to continue to improve and become the best I can every day!! Thank you!

Now, on to the end of my school year, to the upcoming preparation season, and to the 2017-18 season!! I am beyond excited to see what is in store!

All the best,
Olivia


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