There’s a range of emotions I feel after every race based on how well I think that I executed my plan, how good my plan was, what variables were in or out of my control, and where I placed.
I’ve gotten a lot better at being more analytical than just basing my post race feelings on “did I score points or not” and this has helped me focus on what to change in order to do better in the next race.
DNF’s (not finishing) are always a bit of a challenge to process. From the outside, a DNF might seem like the biggest disappointment and failure of all - you didn’t even make it to the finish line. But this is not the case for me. The two worst feelings for me are 1. Getting to the finish line and knowing I didn’t push as hard as I could and 2. Getting to the finish line and thinking I had a good fast run but was actually incredibly slow.
During my first years of FIS I crashed all the time and often would have streaks of up to 7 or 8 races of DNF’s in a row. This probably came from a mentality of simply ‘sending it’ and feeling that if I didn’t give 110% I would have no chance at being fast. Looking back this was partly true, but the high DNF rate was also largely due to my flawed technique and inconsistent skill base.
When I first started on the World Cup the high DNF rate continued as I tried desperately to do anything to get in the top 30. This wasn’t super productive and it wasn’t until much later when my teammate and friend Resi Steigler told me to never try to “ski above my limits in a race” that I started to dial in my pre World Cup race mindset and focus more on the skiing and tactics instead of simply just ‘sending it’. This is still some of the best advice I have ever received, especially when dealing with pressure and nerves at bigger races.
These days, I am DNF’ing much less frequently and haven’t had a big crash in a while! This was a huge goal for me this season and I think focusing on fundamentals and knowing when and where to push it has played a large role in my increased finish rate in races and training.
Unfortunately the past couple SG’s have not followed this positive trend and I have now DNF’d in the last 3 World Cup super g races. But like every run, each was very different.
In St. Moritz I hipped out on the pitch which was a little bit because of my skiing, a little bit because of the conditions and a little bit unlucky. I was disappointed but wasn’t too hard on myself as hipping out happens to every racer now and again.
The first SG in St. Anton I also DNF’d half way down the course. This time I simply missed a gate and it was mostly because of equipment as my edges were not nearly sharp enough for the snow. I was extremely disappointed in myself after this day because I felt that my equipment totally took me out of the race and I had no chance. I felt like I had wasted a really good opportunity and I should have been more on top of making sure my skis were sharp enough.
The second SG in St. Anton I was determined to do everything I could to set myself up for success including double checking my edges and the changing snow conditions. My goal was to find the finish line even if it meant turning down the intensity and skiing a bit more of a conservative line. Unfortunately, I got compressed at the bottom of the course before a fall away gate and crashed four gates from the finish. I immediately felt so disappointed in myself for this mistake. That second SG was an amazing opportunity for me and the rest of my season and I totally blew it.
I’ve replayed the feeling of coming around that last turn and getting squished and then realizing I was going up in the air upside down so many times. I think the reason it has felt so heavy is because we only get a couple opportunities to put all the work and time and energy to the test and I haven’t done the best job at putting my best skiing forward. But I need to remember that although I wish I could change that one turn, I did execute my plan, I did give it everything I had, and I was skiing well until that point.
I’ve reflected a lot on the last couple SG’s because I finally feel like I have the speed to make it in the top 30 in SG and I seemingly keep making silly, controllable mistakes. But I will do everything in my power not to feel this way again in the future. Plus, I still feel like I’m skiing really well and I do have some opportunities left which I will give my all to!
So now the focus turns towards Cortina where we have two DH’s on Friday and Saturday and one SG on Sunday (that I’m not sure if I will be racing in yet or not).
I made some good progress on this track last year and am excited to build on that first experience this year!
Do you have someone to prep your skis? You need to work closely together, need to eliminate problems of equipment, food, etc so your mind is clear to focus on the race. Your times in both SGs would have got you in the top 30.
Love this reflection Trish on the highs and lows of doing what you do. Thank you for consistently bringing your candor & thoughtfulness to every newsletter!