Banked slalom

Photo: Vernon Deck

Holy moly, I won Kitzsteinhorn banked slalom.

It was supposed to be a girls camping weekend but it was snowing the whole week and driving a 3.5 t vehicle with summer tyres was not an option for me. Urska, Anja and me hopped into a car and picked up Mateja on the way. Although we tried to make it on time this year we were again fashionably late. There was 80 cm of dry and fresh snow for the 1st of May and we were not the only ones hoping for some fresh tracks. We took our Pieps and shovels and head up the mountain. At 9 AM everything was already completely tracked and people were everywhere but the snow was so good that even riding through wholes and bumps was fun.

Urška and Conny

Meanwhile Volcom guys were digging out the course and they did so faster than expected so we missed the 1st training run. Luckily we got another one and we joined Conny and Lisa laughing every turn not knowing what’s next. The course was a real leg burner. It went on for a bit longer than a minute but that minute was fire.  I had a late starting number, somewhere around 160, but the snow was still good and I didn’t mind. I managed to have a good run despite the cloud that came in and left me in complete whiteout but I hoped I could get one more since I felt I could still go faster.

---

While people were eating apples and burgers in the break, Conny, Urska and me sneaked for another run together. Watching people in front of you struggling every turn and laughing is the best. I got into a final 50 and went to start line for another run…and it felt great. I could pump most of the banks and my legs somehow managed till the end. New bigger board with edges might have also helped since I’m used to riding soft little boards with absolutely no edges. I went 2 seconds faster and sneaked before Canadian lady. Terje still beat my by 7 seconds but guys are heavier and I couldn’t sneak in more than 2 seconds in a perfect run.
Anyhow, it was epic. I’ll bring some tighter clothes next year and than we’ll do it again.

First place- skull, second place - bag, third place - kid. I'm glad I wasn't third!

---