I’m back home! It was easier to leave this year knowing that this is not the end of my European adventures this season. I am not sure when I will return to Prague or Poland again, so I soaked up every moment while I was there these last two weeks. I am so grateful to have had this experience on the Junior Cup circuit, and I recognize what a rare privilege it is to represent my country at this level. I got to know my U.S. teammates, made new friends, and reconnected with the friends I made last year, all while doing what I love!
We raced our third 7.5k sprint of the trip, and it was my best race yet. I had the opportunity to work through some tough races and also put together some good ones. It all came down to a relaxed day on the range followed by a solid ski effort. I could tell my body was exhausted and ready for a well-earned break. As much as I would love to race every day all year, my body definitely has other ideas. The last 2.5k lap of the sprint was grueling. There were moments on the steepest hill where pushing through felt nearly impossible, but I made it! My prone shooting was the most confident and relaxed it has been all season. I cleaned with ease. Sometimes I might shoot well, but it feels shaky, or I feel lucky to have hit each target. My standing shooting was good, but there are still things I can improve on when I get my next opportunity in Sweden. I am already looking forward to that!
All of our races took place in above-freezing temperatures. Some days, I raced in 47°F! Thanks to the dedication of the venues, we did not have to alter our courses due to a lack of snow. This type of weather is common in Europe, where snow conditions are often slushy and create a suction effect on skis. Racers had to fight through layers of slush and the drag of the snow. I have been spoiled with plenty of dry and smooth snow at home in Alaska, so racing elsewhere has been an adjustment. These last two weeks were challenging, but every time I compete in conditions like these, I improve. Each race prepares me a little more for the next time I race out of state!
On our final day in Czechia and Germany, the girls team decided to ski to the range to watch the Men’s Mass Start 60. We had three teammates racing. The German fans and many other spectators had been cheering all week for their favorite athletes, and it was incredible to experience that energy firsthand. It was special to be a racer coming into the range with the roar of the crowd behind you. I felt like a true professional biathlete. But it was an entirely different experience to be a spectator getting to watch the fastest youth athletes in the world compete. It’s a whole new form of inspiration.
There is special kind of motivation that comes from feeding off the crowd as you push through your own race. There is another kind that comes from hearing your teammates and country rooting for you. As spectators this time, we wanted to make sure our teammates knew we were supporting them. We split our time between the range and the course, which wound through the woods and up the hill. We jumped for joy when our teammates cleaned their shooting and made sure to be there to encourage them when things got tough.
It would have been fun to compete in the Women’s Mass Start. By the time their race started, I was just three places away from earning a start spot. But it was still an incredible experience to feel like I had a VIP ticket to a World Cup race. And I think my body appreciated the break too.
In the last few days of the trip, I was hanging on, trying to stay healthy and race-ready. I made it through the event before my body finally told me it was time for a rest. I have been recovering at home this week and trying to get rid of a sore throat so I can be race-ready for the next local events.
Race season is tough on every athlete. Traveling around the world, while amazing, is hard on the body. Athlete’s immune systems are already weakened from the demands of racing, so it is important to be mindful of each individual’s limits. I know my season is packed with exciting events at the local, national, and international levels. Getting sick is never ideal, but it is something that might happen. The most important thing is to know what is best for yourself and listen to your body.
I’m looking forward to racing at High School Regions for Service High next week! These will be my last high school races ever. I am getting rested up and taking care of my body to be prepped and ready! Thank you for following my journey the last few weeks, and thank you to those who contributed financial support to make this possible. It means a lot and I couldn’t have done this without you. Stay tuned for more updates on High School Regions and take-off to Junior World Champs in Öestersund, Sweden.
Race pictures by Chris Campbell!
