After two weeks of coaching and skiing in Big Sky it was time to get going again. Last week I competed in Aspen, Colorado. All the athletes of the U.S. Women’s Olympic team and alpine team were there, minus Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso. They are busy on their well-deserved media tour of the United States. Monday night Julia appeared on Larry King Live and Lindsey on Jay Leno.

Witnessing my friends and teammates achieve their goals in Vancouver was thrilling. My highlight, watching Bode make it down the slalom run during the combined to win his first gold medal. Bode has been surrounded by controversy throughout his career; however, one thing has remained in his skiing, passion. Bode races for the love of the sport and I find that admirable in a ski world where coaches’ opinions and outside influences are ever prevalent. Bode will always be Bode. Plus no one can doubt that the man is exciting to watch. I hold my breath every time he steps into the start.

Media attention has been swirling around Lindsey and Julia and their so-called “feud.” Skiing on the team with both of these girls for many years I have never once witnessed ill will between them. Both girls are incredible competitors and have always shown sportsmanship towards each other. During the Giant Slalom race NBC showed more coverage of Lindsey falling and Julia getting flagged then of the actual Olympic event. Sarah Schleper, the top American GS skier this year and in possibly her last Olympic games got no air – time. Neither did many of the U.S. athletes racing in the Games.

There are only four skiers in each event from the U.S. It doesn’t take an enormous amount of effort on NBC’s behalf to show the athletes that are representing our country. Last time I checked the Olympics was about the athletes competing not the media creating drama. Julia quoted on her Twitter page during the media buzz about the supposed “feud” between her and Lindsey, “save the drama for your mama.”

It’s about the sport and the astounding athletic feats people are achieving. I am not the only one who feels this way. A Facebook group was created during the Games called “Why does NBC hate ski racing? The worst coverage of the Olympic Games…period.” There are currently 5,976 members.

My digression about the Olympics has gotten me off target. I returned to competition in Aspen for downhill races and found myself on the podium one day. It was a great feeling to come back after the letdown of not making the Olympic team.

Staying positive and looking to the future. Hope everyone is making good turns this week!

Since the morning of January 27th I have felt an immense amount of disappointment. As many of you may know I recently became an alternate for the speed events at the Olympics in Vancouver. I have never in my life felt so crushed and defeated. For an entire week I dreaded coming home to Big Sky feeling like I let down the community that has stuck with me through injuries, success and failure.

I thought tirelessly about what I would say to my fellow Montanans, my family and my friends. How would they react to my failure? I sat in my room for four days feeling sorry for myself, sleeping, eating and crying. I felt too ashamed to show my face in public. It’s a hard bit of information to swallow; however, I tell you this because honestly it is what I did and how I felt. I’ve got nothing to hide. I felt distraught and hopeless. I wanted nothing to do with the sport that has always been my passion. As you can clearly see, I had zero perspective on the situation.

On the fourth day of my self-destructive behavior my sister called me, said the snow in Big Sky was phenomenal and, “Get up here and make some turns!” Driving the familiar mountain road to Big Sky, I smiled, unforced, for the first time in a week. Walking into the Arrowhead Mall to the second floor I was cheerfully greeted by the Lone Mountains Sports team. Amongst the greetings all I could hear, “Keely we are so proud of you!” Throughout the morning I was scheming in my head what I would say to everyone that has supported me for so long. Turns out, making the Olympic team or not, I still had the people I love most in the world care about me.

I have been free skiing in Big Sky every day since. Everyone who greets me on the mountain, whether they know me or not, show unbelievable support. On Valentines Day I got the last tram ride with seven-year-old Michael Romney. It happened to be his first time on the tram and with a huge gleaming smile he asked my name. When I told him, his dad got excited and preceded to tell me that Michael is my biggest fan and he never misses a Keely’s Corner. Moments like these put everything into perspective.

Michael and I, his first time on the tram in Big Sky

So many times athletes base their self worth on results and team selections. I am no different. There have been a lot of days where my mood would go sour over hundredths and tenths of a second. Nevertheless, I would not have made it to the World Cup without always searching for the podium. What I can say: it is the people, the places and the experiences I’ve gained in the world through ski racing that will outlast long in my memory before a result.

I want to thank the Big Sky Community, my family and my friends for constantly supporting my goals in ski racing. It would not be possible without you! Thank you for being apart of my journey!

Keely

I’m plugging away on the WC and EC circuit these days. My results haven’t been on track and I am aiming to turn that around for the World cup in Cortina, Italy next weekend. As of now I slept in today because I have been going for two weeks straight and I am a pooped girl. This morning I overslept, over ate and it was great. I watched some episodes of “How I met your Mother” that my brother gave me and enjoyed being a lazy bum for a day.

As for my racing, I have a lot more in me than my results have shown and I’m working hard to find my speed again! It’s in their somewhere I just have to grab it and hold on!

Watch me race on www.universalsports.com!!

Early training in Austria

I am back home in Montana for the holiday season. I leave again for Austria on December 31st. I had an interesting race series in Valdisere, France. On the first day of racing I crossed my tips, sprained my knee and ankle and crashed into the netting…not conducive for getting results. But, I am healing at home now and am very thankful that I wasn’t injured more. I believe four girls seriously hurt themselves during those races, I am lucky I got out with just minor injuries. I am excited to get back on snow.

I have taken the last ten days off to heal my body and do physical therapy. I have been eating a lot of my mom’s delicious homemade breads and cookies! Nothing better to help me heal than food! I also got the chance to visit my friends in Big Sky and Moonlight Basin during a “Biggest Skiing in America” autograph signing. I spent Saturday and Sunday meeting kids and giving out posters. It’s always motivating for me to see a fan base for ski racing in Montana. I met with the Big Sky Ski Team kids and they were all thrilled to tell me about how their races have been going this ski season. The essence of this sport is in the eyes of the kids. I can tell that a lot of the kids I met had a strong passion for skiing just as I did at their age. Whether it be skiing powder or gate training these kids just loved to tell me their stories about skiing. It was refreshing and inspiring.

Although I didn’t get to ski Big Sky or Moonlight the conditions looked amazing and I was drooling watching people ski while I sat inside with a sprained ankle. Nevertheless, I am content with my trip home and feeling strong again. My next race is in Haus, Austria January 6th-10th so watch for me on www.universalsports.com! Enjoy the photos!

All my best for the New Year!
*Keels on Wheels*

And watch the super g here: http://www.universalsports.com/video/assetid=b3165cc3-f162-4d5e-a1a2-6d8e1bcc5cdf.html#kelleher+20th+lake+louise+super+g”>

Hey everyone! I had my career best World Cup finish today finishing 20th in the sg at Lake Louise! Miha Dolinar my technician made my skis so fast. He really helped me a lot today and I am so lucky to have him in the start pumping me up. I am really happy, yesterday in the downhill I almost crashed. I didn’t finish and I was pretty frustrated. But you gotta pick yourself up when you don’t get what you want. I decided that I wanted to ski well today and it worked. Hopefully I can keep that feeling going. Oh and by the way to the Lone Mountains Sports shop in Big Sky, MT I could feel you cheering me on so thanks! You guys are the best! I’m off to France for our next races, talk to you soon!

Keely

The last three days we’ve had our training runs in Lake Louise and things seemed to improve throughout. I was 12th in the last training run. Unfortunately, I didn’t get into the points today I finished 32nd and was really expecting a lot more of myself. The weather was windy and snowy. I lost time at the top of the course I am pretty sure I was out of the track up there. Grrrrr ! It’s a lot of motivation for me to ski better tomorrow. I feel more confident in my skiing than I ever have now I just have to put it together!

Training run 3

I am writing for www.newwest.net this winter. I am now officially a Snowblogger for the online newspaper. I will be writing weekly. Check out my first one at : http://www.newwest.net/snow_blog/article/winters_coming_bust_out_the_spandex/C458/L41/ Happy Thanksgiving!

Wheels

Oh the wonderful Colorado snow! I am so happy to be training at Copper,Vail and Loveland! The weather has been great along with the training. The snow in Vail is icy, Copper is hero skiing and Loveland is soft. A great range of training. Yesterday was the first really cold day. It was -20 while we were ripping Super G at 6am. Every other day has been unusually warm in the early mornings.

I have been focusing a lot on my gliding in Copper. This place is the best for that because it’s flat and easy. Any over edging or hard pressure is like braking at the end of the turn here. Since I am a more technical skier its great for me to challenge myself on easier courses. Less is more I’m finding out.

Next stop for me is Big Sky, MT. I will be home for a week before my first World Cup in Lake Louise. I can’t wait to ski in Big Sky. They open Thanksgiving weekend and already have amazing snow. Since I’ve been in Colorado Big Sky has gotten two and half feet of snow! Yeah! Powder before the race season officially begins for me. There is no better way to start! That and stuffing myself with as much turkey, potatoes and pie as possible. Gotta eat for those flats in Lake Louise!

Check ya later and Happy Thanksgiving!