14th in Sungwoo, Korea FIS World Cup PGS
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It was a gnarly PGS race today in Sungwoo, Korea on a very demanding race hill. I think it was the most challenging race of the year, undoubtedly the steepest. It hasn’t snowed here in forever. The snow was rock hard and slick all week in training. It felt like Mt. Hood at seven a.m. in late August; it doens’t get firmer. The race organizers decided to till the hill yesterday to try and make the snow more consistent. Unfortunately it turned to sugar for this morning’s early runs. The sun came out and the snow bonded for the finals, but this morning was sketchy. I got bounced around in the two run qualifer, but survived and made it into the finals in thirteenth position. I raced Manuel Veith from Austria in the first round. I had a solid top on the first run in the blue course, then ran into some trouble on the pitch on the lower half of the course and fell behind going into the second run. I gave it my all in the second, but couldn’t overcome the difference and ended the day in Fourteenth. My teammate Justin Reiter was fifteenth. Michelle Gargone was second in the qualifer, but got k.o.’d in the first round and finished ninth. I wanted badly to advance to the quarters today, and fought hard to get there, but it wasn’t my race. My back is a bit hammered from the rutted course conditions; stoked that’s all that’s going on. Nothing a week of surfing in Maui can’t heel up. Jasey Jay Anderson from Canada claimed his first victory in almost two years, making it two World Cup wins in a row for Canada. Andreas Prommegger from Austria took second and Mathieu Bozzzetto third. Doresia Krings from Austria won the women’s race. The World Cup heads to Quebec, Canada for the final PGS of the season March 16th.
This was my first visit to Korea. It has been an interesting adventure. We’ve been staying at Sungwoo Resort the past week. It’s about three hours northeast of Soeul. There is absolutely no snow here except on the slopes. They make an unbelievable amount of artificial snow here. The ski area is open all night long and the music never seems to end, which is problematic when you’re trying to sleep. The hotel we’re staying in is this huge structure at the bottom of the hill, looks like a Vegas resort and with the all night music and lit up slopes isn’t far off. The food has been a struggle for me. Not my favorite cuisine this season. There are so many mystery dishes. I’ve been surviving on a staple of green tea Haagendaz ice cream and Count Chocula cereal, the diet of champions. I did discover the Korean BBQ which I absolutely love. This is my favorite meal of the trip. I find the language barrier about as difficult as Russia and my grasp even worse. At least I can say “Nastarovia” in Russia, just can’t spell it. Sungwoo will host World Cups again next year and the 2009 World Champs. Peong Chang, Korea is a finalist along wit Soshi, Russia and Salzburg, Austria to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. The decision will be made in July. Not sure I’ll last that long, but hopefully ‘till 2009.
It has been a cool trip. I’m traveling West to Maui tomorrow for a week of surfing and kiting en route home. I’m so fired up to surf again. I’ve been sneaking in a few pool workouts this week, crammig for the test. We did numerous sets of push ups and pop ups trying to get in shape to catch some waves next week. We even practiced our hold downs, which was pitiful. Hopefully we’ll get some swell this week. My body is looking forward to a week off. Some surf and yoga will have me ready to finish strong in Quebec. Enjoy the photos. Talk to ya from Maui.
CK
Sungwoo, Korea FIS World Cup PGS Feb. 25th, 2007
World Cup’ers Enjoying the Finals Show
Sungwoo Resort, Korea
Korean BBQ with Justin, Zac, and Josh
The Korean Dixi Chicks Perform at Welcome Dinner in Sungwoo
Railing Toeside in Sungwoo, Korea World Cup PGS
US – Sweden Men’s Team Members CK, Tyler, Bive, Phil and Josh
View from the Start
View from the Top of Sungwoo