We started our trip in Kranj, Slovenia. Kranj, has a very nice k100 that is great for getting a lot of jumps. I really like this hill as it skis like a big hill and has a lot of pressure. The reason we started there was for testing out equipment. Both Elan skis and Slatnar carbon bindings are based out of this town, so we were able to test equipment with the help of the companies. After jump got off to a slow start, I was able to pick up the level of my jumping to a point where I could make good strides after that.
From there, our team headed to Predazzo, Italy. This is a very comfortable site for our team as we have had great success there since 2003. In that year, Johnny Spillane broke through and won the first World Championship gold medal in USA Nordic Combined history. As well as a place to get some great training, it is also the site of 2013 Nordic World Championships. I was excited to head there and get a great feel for the hills and the feeling of the venues. While I was there I tested some new jump skis from my supplier Fluege.de. After a unsure start with the new skis, I quickly realized that these were great skis and are the model that fits me best. Right away, I started to feel comfortable and my jumping started to improve greatly. While we were there, we had an IN-TEAM jumping competition and race. Things went well on both sides of the competition. I didn't have the best jump, but it was on par with how I was jumping that day. The xc race was up a very challenging 3.3km hill Climb called Alpe d' cermis. I wanted to start slower than normal, but really push the 2nd half harder than normal. I pretty much did how I wanted but ran out of steam and couldn't quite catch Johnny Spillane before that finish for the win!
After leaving Italy, we headed for Stams, Austria. This is one of my most trained hills in Europe and I couldn't wait to jump it. The Day before our first session on hill we went for a very fun hike in Seefeld, Austria. During the hike, we climb 1200meters pretty much without stopping. When we arrived at the top you had a beautiful 360 degree view of valleys around Innsbruck, Austria. Activities like these are great breaks from the Normal training pattern of our summer, They allow everyone time to bond and take in the beautiful views. On the last day he took some jumps on the k105 in Austria. I was very happy with the progress of my jumping was putting in some very quality jumps for low speed. I am very happy to leave the camp on a positive note with my jumping and skiing.
Now that I am back in park city, training is back to full swing and very busy. with just 50 days until the first competition, there is no rest for the weary.
Stay tuned!
Taylor