Jit's Journal: A happy birthday in Hinterstoder GS

After a lackluster start to the season, things are turning around for me. I fixed some major issues I was having with my equipment and now the skiing I was once capable of is finally returning. It couldn’t have returned at a better time.
    I recently wrapped up a Europa Cup race in Hinterstoder that was one of the toughest giant slalom hills I’ve raced on in a long time. The Traditional hill, which is not where the FIS ran the World Cups last year, is a wall of ice that has terrain from start to finish.
AFTER A LACKLUSTER start to the season, things are turning around for me. I fixed some major issues I was having with my equipment and now the skiing I was once capable of is finally returning. It couldn’t have returned at a better time.
    I recently wrapped up a Europa Cup race in Hinterstoder that was one of the toughest giant slalom hills I’ve raced on in a long time. The Traditional hill, which is not where the FIS ran the World Cups last year, is a wall of ice that has terrain from start to finish.
    The first 40 seconds out of the start is a constant test of tenacity and strength as you plunge down a face of ice that rivals any of the toughest parts of the courses on the World Cup. After you fight your way past the pitch, you come roaring into the rolling flats that don’t seem very flat as you constantly catch air over every icy ripple and roller, all the while constantly fighting to stay on course. The hill, aside from the finish, is always in the shade so you can’t see any terrain, and when you add in all the World Cup and Europa Cup regulars, you’ve got yourself a heck of race.
    The race was tough-fought, with Jake Zamansky and I fighting our way into the top 15 from the 30s on the first run. With my new equipment and newfound confidence I powered into 11th in what I would describe as an out-of-control rodeo ride, while Jake followed suit and landed in 16th. Needless to say we were both pumped but out of breath from the toll the 1 minute, 20 second course took on us. I was just happy to be skiing good again. Between runs we went back to our hotel, which happened to be right by the finish, and prepared for the second run by spinning out the lactic acid in our legs. During this time I tried to stay in the zone but I was too excited to get back out there and back up my first-run performance.
    The second run was as tough as the first, but Jake and I left it all out on the hill. The dark and icy pitch was so tough because of the speed you carried down it, but this time around I stayed strong and strangely in control. At one point I was in some serious trouble because I was a little bit late but I whipped off a couple arcs that I still can’t believe actually happened. Somewhere in my head things were taking control and physically I was just there for the show.
    By the time I got onto the rollers toward the bottom I had to force myself to breathe in as much air as I could to finish strong. I was fully on the edge, but I finally felt like I was back in my element and strong. Thirty seconds later I reached across the sunny finish line, leaned on my knees to stop, looked up and saw “1st” and I was stoked. It has been a long time since I’ve pumped my fist, and I definitely brushed the cobwebs off that move. The best part was when Jake came up to me smiling and said we were in first and second. We still had 10 more racers to watch before the race was over but we were both pumped that we held strong and didn’t fall back.
    When all was said and done Jake ended up 10th and I was seventh. The last time two Americans finished in the top 10 in a Europa Cup technical event was two years ago at the same race when Jake and Dane Spencer went eighth and 10th so we were excited. On top of all that it was my 23rd birthday. So I was happy to have something to celebrate. We stood in the sunlit finish, collected out trophies and rejoiced in a job well done.
    — Jit

Thanks to:
Dynastar Skis
Lange Boots
Uvex Helmets and Goggles
Swix Poles
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