October 12, 2005 – Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I get so excited for my mom’s amazing turkey dinner. The stuffing, potatoes, and pumpkin pie combo are truly ingenious. Not to mention those turkey sandwiches that I get to chow down on for the next week. However, even though thanksgiving is a delicious occasion, we have to remember that it’s also a time to be thankful for our friends and family.

The countless hours that our parents and coaches have put into us are unbelievable. They put in these hours because they truly believe in us and love to see us achieve our goals. My father used to drive to work everyday (hour drive to Edmonton), drive home, eat supper, and drive me back to Edmonton to take me training, then drive back home again. He did this for me 4-5 times a week. When I finally got my license, he would still come to training with me 3 times a week to watch me train! Then when I would start racing he would be with the coaches in the wax room for hours on end. Even though he would be dead tired, he would ask me before every race,” Where do you want me on the course?” Without fail he would be where I needed him the most on the trail, even if I told him to not worry about it. Screaming his head off!!! Not much has changed, except the fact that I have extremely dedicated coaches and wax technicians now that are willing to do anything for me just like my dad. It is this amazing support that has helped get me to where I am today.

Soon we will all be racing a new ski season, and once again our coaches will be there for us. Coaching, waxing, traveling, taking time away from there families because they love the sport of skiing!! I just wanted to say on be half of all athletes out there, thank-you to all the coaches and wax technicians for your support throughout the years and we look forward to working with you in the new ski season!