Resi Stiegler ready to race

CORONET PEAK, New Zealand – Even after two long, injury-packed seasons, it’s hard to slow down 2006 Olympian Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY), who is back on snow and training full steam with the U.S. Ski Team in New Zealand.

Stiegler has more or less been sidelined from ski racing since late December of 2007 when she slid off the course at an Audi FIS World Cup giant slalom in Lienz, Austria. While preparing for a comeback the following season, Stiegler hampered her return until February 2009 after breaking her leg while playing soccer.

The long-awaited return to the starting gate came at the 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Val d’Isere, France where she was named to the Team as a discretionary pick. It proved to be a good decision by the coaches as the young firecracker ripped to 19th in slalom during her first race in over a year. She aptly celebrated climbing into the stands and getting French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s autograph on her race bib.CORONET PEAK, New Zealand – Even after two long, injury-packed seasons, it’s hard to slow down 2006 Olympian Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY), who is back on snow and training full steam with the U.S. Ski Team in New Zealand.

Stiegler has more or less been sidelined from ski racing since late December of 2007 when she slid off the course at an Audi FIS World Cup giant slalom in Lienz, Austria. While preparing for a comeback the following season, Stiegler hampered her return until February 2009 after breaking her leg while playing soccer.

The long-awaited return to the starting gate came at the 2009 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Val d’Isere, France where she was named to the Team as a discretionary pick. It proved to be a good decision by the coaches as the young firecracker ripped to 19th in slalom during her first race in over a year. She aptly celebrated climbing into the stands and getting French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s autograph on her race bib.

With the 2010 Olympic Winter Games on the horizon, Stiegler says she’s back and ready to gun for a spot at her second Olympic Team.

How does it feel to be back on snow?
“It feels great. It awesome to be training back in New Zealand and I’ve really been enjoying being with the rest of the U.S. Ski Team girls. I am super happy with my coaches and they are all really working well together. Trevor [Wagner], Seth [McCadam] and Chris [Knight] have some new stuff that we are working on. It’s going to be a great year.”

What are you goals this year?
“I am at a great stage in my life. I have had a year and a half off, and I am fired up. It is perfect timing for me because I have no pressure really. I have learned a lot, I am happy and I think this is going to be fun season.”

How’s the body feeling?
“Well I have been working out really hard. Ernie [Rimer, USSA Strength and Conditioning Trainer] has had me on a great program this summer and I am feeling great. I am strong and ready to have some fun.”

How does everyone else look in New Zealand?
“I think we have a great technical team this year. I think we are going to rip!”[The U.S. women’s tech team consists of Hailey Duke (Boise, ID), Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN), Jessica Kelley (Starksboro, VT), Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA), Megan McJames (Park City, UT) and Sarah Schleper de Gaxiola (Vail, CO].

Stiegler plans to open the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season with the traditional giant slalom on the Rettenbach Glacier in Soelden, Austria on Oct. 24. American fans can see her an the rest of the U.S. women’s Ski Team live at the Aspen Winternational in Aspen, CO – the lone U.S. stop of the World Cup tour – on Thanksgiving weekend.