7 Countries in January

February is quickly approaching and I have not written a blog yet this month even though it has been an action filled January!  After a quick count I realized that I have skied in seven different countries this month!  Here's a quick update from the start of 2015.

Opening ceremonies at the Tour de Ski.  We surprised the crowd by performing a quick line dance on the stage!  This was my first time starting the Tour de Ski and it was a blast!  Kikkan's face exhibits our excitement!

Once the racing starts it's a whirlwind of racing, recovery, and travel.  Here I am racing the 3km Prologue in Oberstdorf, Germany.  

The first two races were in Germany and then as soon as we finished the second race, we hopped in the van and drove to Switzerland for the third stage.  This picture was taken at a pee stop along the way which also served as a sightseeing opportunity.

The sun came out for the third stage, a sprint in Val Mustair, Switzerland. 

Swiss cheerleaders

After the sprint in Switzerland, we drove to Toblach, Italy and raced a 5km classic the next day.  Along with most of my USST teammates, I ended the Tour after that race, but Liz Stephen continued and finished an impressive 5th place at the end of Tour!  Here she is racing the 15km pursuit in Toblach.

My parents traveled to Europe to watch the races and spend some family time together after the races.  I was pretty exhausted after all the races but a few relaxing days with my parents was the perfect recovery and a very nice change of pace.

We spent a few days in Ramsau, Austria after the Tour and I enjoyed my first extra blue days of the winter!  I trained in Ramsau with my Craftsbury Green Racing Project teammates this fall so it was fun to return in the winter and explore new trails in a familiar place!  

It was a short break and then quickly back to racing in Otepaa, Estonia.  I first went to Otepaa when I was 15 for the J1 Scandinavian Championships so it was fun to return 11 years later for World Cups

I raced a classic sprint and a skate team sprint but the biggest event of the weekend was the tech sprints.  Our team's goal was top 12 and we finished 11th which also happened to be first place on reverse podium.  It was a blast to cheer for these guys who work hard day in and day out all winter long!  

Next we traveled to Rybinsk, Russia and our first real taste of winter. We were welcomed by temperatures of -25C so here are my blue faced roommates preparing for a day of skiing. 

The highlight of the weekend was Liz's first podium.  Hard work pays off so congrats Liz!

There are two weekends off from World Cup racing so I am currently in Sweden for a training camp with Pepa.  Thanks to my GRP girls teammates for the birthday card and American goodies!  Good luck in the SuperTour races this weekend in Craftsbury!

Happy trails and thanks for reading!