![Nina Win's AlpiTigne Sprint](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/SANY0009-300x224.jpg)
The holiday season kicked off with the first race of the season here in the Chamonix Valley on December 8th, a little later than the Alpine and Nordic races.
Being in a heavy training period I was not expecting super results, but pleased to be not far behind Gloriana Pellisier of the Italian team and World Champion Sky Runner Emilie Forsburg in her debut of skimountaineering. I even took the top step for the Veterans podium and was pleased with the training our own back yard.
![Great to be kicking and gliding again!](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0806-300x300.jpg)
I was lucky to share a wonderful visit from my parents who originally gave me the gift and love of skiing, kicking & gliding in my back yard in Vermont and weekend trips up to Bromley mountain of skipping school to ski! (Don’t tell my kids!;-)
![Mom & Dad kicking and gliding on the Chamonix Trails](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0838-224x300.jpg)
The boys have been getting out kicking and gliding too in our own back yard, practicing their sprint starts!
![A & B practicing their sprint starts just like their mom!](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0676-224x300.jpg)
Anders had a little early season setback…and its working hard to get strong again on my bike!
![Anders (6) Training hard to get his leg strong for skiing again](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/photo-1-224x300.jpg)
We celebrated a special birthday (20 yrs x 2 ) with my family & friends. Thanks to the Albert Premiere for their wonderful hospitality.
![Celebrating with friends and family for my 20th birthday x2 :-)](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0894-121x300.jpg)
Our Chamonix Ski Alpinisme Club organized a womens’ training weekend to help grow the sport of ski mountaineering for women, as it is a very male dominated sport, much like many endurance sports. It was a weekend that coincided with a night uphill race in La Clusaz, home of World Cup x country skier Vincent Vittoz. We had a great turnout for the weekend with over 10 women involved in the training weekend. I particularly liked the race for a good hard training as it had a sprint start on skate skis.
![Getting ready to start at La Clusaz night race](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0857-300x224.jpg)
Click on the following link video to see the skate start where I was imagining to be Kikkan Randal. I continue to be inspired by the USA women ski team’s strong performances this year, especially Kikkan approaching her injury with such tenacity! IMG_0850
Just before Christmas my team ventured down to Tignes for the first Sprint race of the season. The race was a coupe du France and it was great to get in the sprint game again. Chamonix Ski Alpinisme showed a strong performance there taking both men and womens wins overall and 2nd woman. The first World Cup Sprint kicks off in Switerland at the Alpiniski the 24th of January.
![Podium Women AlpiTignes Coupe du France](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0981-300x224.jpg)
A couple more weeks of hard training before the season really begins with French nationals on the 6th followed by the first skimo World Cup the 9th/10th of January in the Tyrol Italy.
![My Christmas Present! Thanks SkiTrab! So happy to be skiing on the best!](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0833-224x300.jpg)
Here’s a little slide show of what’s been going on in our world….
From our family to yours, Wishing you a happy & healthy holiday season!
![Happy New Year Everyone!](http://ninasilitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0694-240x300.jpg)