Copper Cup Racing

Last week I raced in the NorAm Copper Cup races at Copper Mountain, CO. It was so much fun. The conditions were perfect for racing. I was happy with my riding over the two days of racing. Due to timing problems on Thursday the parallel giant slalom event turned into a two run giant slalom. It was a strong field of international riders. I got off to a fast start, winning the first run. Unfortunately I had some problems on the second and dropped to fifteenth. I was bummed I didn’t get the job done on the second run, but happy I’m riding fast. My Quad is healed and I’m feeling great again. In Friday’s PGS race I advanced to the quarterfinals where I met Canadian rider Jasey Jay Anderson. We had a good battle. He beat me on the first run by .72. I fought back in the second run to make up .7, just missing advancing to the semis. It was a great race. If I’m going to get beaten that’s how I want to go out. Jasey went on to win the event; I finished seventh. I’m a little disappointed I wasn’t on the podium Thursday or Friday, because I know I’m riding fast. I’m super stoked with my equipment and riding now. I’m really having a lot of fun and loving working with Rob and Ian and my AST Teammates. I know I can do it in December. I’ll be training hard this week to be ready to rip. Simon Schoch from Switzerland won Thursday’s Men’s Giant Slalom race with Michelle Gargone winning the Women’s field. Jasey Jay Anderson won Friday’s PGS, while Swiss Racer Fraenzi Kohli took the women’s title.I was in Denver over he weekend for the Colorado Ski/Snowboard Expo. Friday night I went to the Nuggets – Lakers basketball game with my friend Chris Davenport and our Aspen/Snowmass team manager and his wife and our friends from ESPN. It was a Laker beat down. It was so much fun. I felt short watching the giants on the court. It was awesome watching Kobe and Carmelo battle. “The Birdman” killed it too.

I was back home in Aspen Sunday. It dumped about a foot and a half in Aspen over the weekend which made for some great freeriding conditions. I hiked Tiehack yesterday morning with my friends and enjoyed some fun pow turns. It’s going to be an epic season ahead. Aspen is hosting the Women’s Ski World Cup Races over Thanksgiving Weekend. I’ll be joining my friend Uncle E to help with announcing the action. I’d better start doing my homework. Thanks for checking in. I’m back at Copper this week training hard with my AST Teammates. I’ll be enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with my family next week before traveling to Italy for our World Cup PGS Opener in Limone Piemonte Dec. 6th. I can’t wait to get back in the start gate! Talk to you soon,

CK

Copper Cup PGS Nov. 13th, 2009

Copper Cup Giant Slalom Nov. 12th, 2009