Skiing the World with Keely Kelleher

Taking it down the fall line

By Keely Kelleher, 4-01-10

	On my way to a National Title

Flying into Bozeman I expect spring skiing weather, corn snow and deck beers after a sun filled day at Big Sky. Although I am entirely ready for flip-flop weather, I am pleasantly surprised stepping off the plane into a flurry of white.  “Another foot awaits me on the tram,” I gleefully think to myself. I can surrender my bone-spurred, beaten up, frostbitten feet for a few more weeks of winter.  I am never going to be a foot model; however, I could model my ski feet portraying how feet shouldn’t look. Oh, the sacrifices I’ve made for my addiction to skiing!

Speaking of my ski feet, my twinkle toes served me quite well during the last race of the season. In Lake Placid, NY I won my first National title in super g beating out nearly all of the Olympic team. Those of you who follow my blog know that recently I have had a tough go of it on the racing circuit. I failed to make the U.S. Vancouver Olympic team and with that was named an alternate for the Olympics and to my dream.

The frustration I felt seems a blur now. I am a National Champion who did not make the Olympic team. I have optimistically let the disappointments go. I felt like I had been missing something in my skiing for the last two months. Before the race my coach gave me very simple words of encouragement saying, “Keely, just put it in the fall line.” Turns out simple is better in skiing. People have asked, “How did it feel to get revenge by winning U.S. Nationals?” Honestly, I never looked at it that way. I saw getting back on top again as defeating the demons in my mind and the self-limiting beliefs I had after the Olympics. It felt like a mental triumph more than “revenge.”

Ending the 2009-2010 season on top felt incredible.  I am going to celebrate by skiing laps on the Big Sky tram till my legs feel like JELLO. I cannot think of a better way to finish a ski season then playing in spring powder with friends. 

I hope everyone enjoys the last of winter fun by taking some turns!

Check out my super g win here: https://www.skiracing.com/?q=node/1422

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