US Ski Team Visits Alyeska-Nationals

Best run of the day! The new owners of Alyeska are opening some great runs. My friend Keelan, A 13 year old from Fairbanks named Emily and I boot packed 30 min. up almost to the tippy top of Alyeska Ski Resort to make this last incredible run of the day. Amazing Powder. Def. put the smile on our faces for our long drive home..
Slalom Finish Line. Nice Day...
Crazy offset blind gate in the Women's Super G--big air, lots of screaming, and a few major crashes.
Bode's secret, taking a quick ce'esta between runs...
Start of the Slalom.
Eric-Alyeska's still photographer, Bill the US Ski Team's Videographer, and Me (not seen) the assistant to both..(official photographer of the photographers of the US Ski Team) "smile' We were located at the top of the waterfall section of the Super G. With the whole first and second seeds of the woman's US team catching huge air, missing the gate, or crashing, the boys got some amazing footage.
Keelan, Emily and I boot packing up the ridge to ski the run behind us. A couple of ski patrol working hard by sitting in the sun and cheering skiers on, took this photo. (I was way overdressed)
Our last traverse over to drop in for the run of a lifetime.
Emily, about to ski the steepest, biggest powder run of her 13 years..she was nervous but had a huge smile on her face. We followed her down, nothing but screams of joy and laughter from all of us. I did my first extreme powder tele turns without falling...big day for me too.
Bode Miller and his US coaches had just asked my advice for Bode's next slalom run...here you see them discussing my future as the head coach of the US Men's Team. I told them that I would only do it if I got one of those happy orange jackets "smile"
Bode Miller (contrary to his rep) was actually very nice to the children. Here you see him discussing his favorite power ranger with young Tommy after his first slalom run.
A very happy Bode after he won the Men's Super G. It looks like he's celebrating here but with the sexy way he was staring at me all weekend, I know that all he was just trying to do in this photo was slip me some skin. (look under jacket). "smile"
Bode..Men's Super G (there may have been other racers in the competition..I'm not sure)
Oh, here is one...but not sure who. Woman's Slalom start.


US Nationals were held at Alyeska Ski Resort this past weekend.. That, on top of beautiful weather and spring skiing, I was happy to jump back in the car for my traditional 6 hour weekend drive to Girdwood...totally worth the numb butt and leg cramps. Sun is rising at 7 AM and setting at about 9PM--makes for a whole lot of happiness. I was hoping to see my favorite US guy Erik Shlopy (sp?) but sadly he didn't show but Bode Miller sure was everywhere. Known as ski racing's bad boy, it was surprising to see him be very welcoming to his fans and the kids. He even stopped by at Challenge to sign autographs for our disabled kids and skiers. He ended up winning the Downhill and Super G and getting 3rd in the slalom. I got to talk with him on Sunday morning a bit..it was a deep conversation...we were sitting next to each other in the day lodge and I asked him what time the race started, he said "9:00". Then he asked me "are you using that chair" and I said "no". I handed him the chair and he said "thanks". A few minutes later I got up and told him "good luck in the race today" and he smiled and said "thanks". It really wasn't what he said but "how he said it" it was magic...the guy loves me. "smile". The coolest thing that happened though was I got to ski an amazing last run of the day with my friend Keelan and a 13 year old girl named Emily from Fairbanks (see photos).