January 22, 2015 – Annie Pokorny is a member of the U23 team traveling to  Kazakhstan in a week’s time. (That team is an NNF pillar project enjoying $38,000 of funding.) She reflects on the lessons learned from her first U23 trip last year in Liberec.

Annie Pokorny (USA) © flyingpointroad.com

The first year I made a development trip, the 2013 U23s in Liberec, CZE, I thought it would be a really good idea to bring only a backpack and ski bag. It was my first transcontinental trip and, from my perspective, saving $50 on luggage fees both ways was well worth chugging through airport terminals with my life on my back. At least it was worth it until I actually got to Europe, where my two layers, one t-shirt and one pair of pants lasted about three days before taking on the distinctly Czech aroma of the Hotel Babylon. As I traveled back to the US, nailing my fellow passengers in the head with my carabineer’d boots and water bottles before shamefully shoving the mass into the last overhead bin, I decided that next year, I would check a bag. It was worth the investment.

Last year swung in the complete opposite direction. My 55lb bag made it through security after I promised that I would carry two of my stuff sacks on, in addition to my filled backpack, tote bag and camera bag. In Val di Fiemme, I filled the Euro-sized closet with layers on layers, including but not limited to, about 12 sports bras. All to spend most of my trip in a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt I bought in Toblach two days into precamp. I paid the $100 to bring plenty of clean layers, and just as much to bring them home, untouched.

So here I stand, year three, my last as a U23. And I have to tell you, I’ve packed well. I have three non-smell-don’t-have-to-wash top layers, three bottom layers, four sports bras, wool socks, two t-shirts, jeans, sweatpants and two sweaters. I have plenty of pairs of sunglasses, buffs, spandex, and training gear for all weather. I have my NNF patches sewn on. I know where my passport is, as well as my photocopy. My credit card companies know that I’m leaving the continent. And, best of all, I can carry all of my stuff with my own two arms, without hitting anyone in the face.

Annie Pokorny (USA) © flyingpointroad.com

Where my first year was a matter of experience, in many ways, I showed up under-prepared. I had only ever raced at home, with people whose parent’s names I knew. Being in a foreign country felt new, exciting, and completely over stimulating. I had never seen so much high caliber skiing from a group of kids my age, and I felt totally fired up just to be there, whether or not I recognized my surroundings.

My second year, I knew what was coming, or, at least, I thought I did. I had been on a 6 hour flight before, heard the German announcements, and passed through customs. I could speak a bit of Italian, which I expected would help me soar through Italy, and had brought enough socks and underwear to last me until I graduated college (which, if you know me, would be in a long time). And I raced better. I placed higher than I did before, in a group of Olympians and World Cup skiers, but I wasn’t satisfied. When I watched the girls I competed with, I saw quite clearly the differences in our races, technique and strategy. I learned from them, saw what needed to improve, and, with the presence of so many impressive performances from US juniors and U23s, I knew it was possible.

So, as I get ready for my third year at U23s, I’m bringing with me a little knowledge I didn’t have on that first trip, beyond just how to pack. I know that when we get there, the place and the people will give us a lot to look at. But I also take with me the understanding of when to hold up my camera and when to focus my attention forward. I know that, when I step to the line, the women next to me will bring with them a tremendous amount of experience and skill. But I also recognize, as an American skier, that I have experienced a development process that will allow me to stick with, and pass them. I know that, when we look at the other teams at the championships, my US teammates and I will see evidence of great ski cultures and endless support. But, from watching my teammates perform and experiencing these races in years past, I realize that we have what we need, in talent and support, to compete when the gun goes off.

Last year, during a team meeting before our first race, Coach Bryan Fish told us that we are no longer a developing ski nation, that we are developed. His words totally fired me up and after watching the group of racers going into this trip, I can tell you that we’re not just preparing, we’re prepared.