Fame at last?

Check me out on the BBC! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7363894.stm

What a season! I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far. My friends and family have been incredibly generous sponsoring me to train out in Canada last winter. A mystery donor generously provided the funds for my ski bob and more later in the season for skis for which I am really grateful, and a further £ 3,567.97 was raised through my sponsored biathlon, which covered my training costs. Two Seasons ski, surf and snowboard shop has also contributed with kit and through various fundraising activities. Thank you, your support is really appreciated.

I'm happy to be back home at my favourite time of year in England; the blossom's out and when the sun's shining I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It's a real treat to be out riding on the handbike again, which my great friend and inspiration Rachel Morris (two time world champion) kindly lent me since I came out of hospital, thanks mate!

I’m back playing wheelie basketball again, which is so much fun, and getting up for early morning swim training in Middleton Pool, Newport Pagnell. It’s a pleasure to get up for morning training in this weather rather than the trial of cold, dark November mornings and feels great to back into fitness training after a week off.

BBC Look East did a piece on my progress yesterday in the snowdome, take a look at the clip on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7363894.stm

I'm going to join the team at the Chill Factore (the big, new snowdome in Manchester) this weekend for the end of season review and some ski training. Will report back.

All the best

Anna

Race Success 2008

Firstly apologies: I've been so busy racing, on the road with the team, travelling across British Colombia, I've seriously neglected my blog writing duties, I'll do better next season.

The races started really well, with third places in both downhill and Super G in Kimberly behind the World and European Champions, however I made some mistakes in the other two races. We then drove to Sun Peaks and i achieved another third and a fourth in the GS races. The slalom didn't go so well, I found my first slalom race rather overwhelming and need to keep training hard! No surprise really that the speed events suit me best at the moment, being a bit of a speed demon!

Unfortunately I fell in the GS of the British Land Championships but being there was a valuable experience in itself.

The team spent a few days in Whistler and we did a recce of the Ladies downhill run where the disabled racing is to be held, in preparation for 2010. It's hugely exciting. Many thanks to Phil Chew, the BC coach, for his invaluable guiding on the mountain.

This season's been an eye-opening introduction to the world of ski racing. I've skied gates for the first time; started and finished my first (international) races; had a taste of what ski racing's all about and discovered that I absolutely love it!

I am 100% sure that ski racing is for me and with 2010 in sight, my life now revolves around getting there. What a great challenge and opportunity to be seized. This season, training, racing and traveling around with the British team has been a great experience, I've learnt so much from the other racers, coaches and the support team. As the season comes to a close I'm feeling more motivated than ever!