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Nina Silitch

Keeping on Track in Andorra: Font Blanca World Cup March 9/10 -2013

Posted on March 14, 2013
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Nina up against gravity and working towards her goal in the Andorra World Cup vertical race

This season I had set a goal to complete the World Cup Ski Mountaineering circuit, and do the best I could in the sprint events. In a competition season that begins in mid december and ends early May, it is not uncommon to miss a race here due to illness or there due to fatigue or other commitments.

Andorra- On top of the clouds. Keep your goals high!
Andorra- On top of the clouds. Keep your goals high!

I set my goal of completing the entire world cup circuit and have worked consistently to stay on track. Currently my overall world cup ranking is 14th out of 48 women and my overall sprint ranking is 3rd.

One of my strengths is keeping calm and consistent
One of my strengths is keeping calm and consistent

Vertical races are not my favorite but they do favor consistency and that is what I have set out to be.

Keep on track til the end
Keep on track til the end

It was not an easy turn around from the World Cup in Italy the prior weekend to get home, unpack the bags, remotivate and repack to head to Andorra, a small land-locked Principal in the  Pyrenees. None the less, I thought of my goals, tried to refuel for the next step….Andorra!

I enjoyed some celebrations at home with my family

Celebrating Ander's 7th bday
Celebrating Ander’s 7th bday

Some well needed ski tours in the mountains to refuel….the passion and the pleasure of the sport

Top of the Possettes, Le Tour
Top of the Possettes, Le Tour
Training in my backyard
Training in my backyard

And enjoying some skate skiing with my lil’ B

Skate skiing w/ B
Skate skiing w/ B

While I was in Andorra, Anders enjoyed his own skate skiing..

Anders skating like a pro in his night race, winning his age group
Anders skating like a pro in his night race, winning his age group

In Andorra, the organizers put on a great weekend of racing despite the weather conditions with high avi danger.

The course area Arcalis
The course area Arcalis

The vertical was a grind as usual, a desperately hard push of 600 meters of climbing in hot weather, but I got it done and am stronger for it.

A great motivator from my son for my weekend of racing (here is Nina in the 2012 vertical race in Andorra)
A great motivator from my son for my weekend of racing (here is Nina in the 2012 vertical race in Andorra)

The individual race course was changed due to the avi danger. For me my best part was the start….where I found myself in the top 3 women even though I did not start fast at all. After that I was not a fan of the 2 loop course. It caused a lot of crowding and difficulty to pass, but none the less I was Happy to be there!

The craziness of the first climb
The craziness of the first climb

A big thanks to the organizers to be so welcoming to all the athletes!

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Arcalis Area
The re-routed course- due to avi danger 2 loops
The re-routed course- due to avi danger 2 loops

It was a quick turn around sunday to catch the bus and then a plane home, only the bus hit very heavy traffic and I did in fact miss my plane home! When one door closes, another opens….Breathe and enjoy the moment. It was a good meditating moment.

What you get to wake up to when you miss your plane back home
What you get to wake up to when you miss your plane back home

I was sad not to get home that night to see my family but then decided to take the opportunity to discover Barcelona, a city I had never seen. Live in the present…

Get your fresh veggies and fruit at the Barcelona market...bliss
Get your fresh veggies and fruit at the Barcelona market…bliss

The next day I explored the city, had a cup of coffee at my American cafe, Starbucks and wandered through the amazing open air market full of fresh produce.

Crowding in the fresh stuff
Crowding in the fresh stuff
Fresh squeezed juices galore!
Fresh squeezed juices galore!

 

 

Needless to say, I was very happy to make it home that evening, eventually, after more plane delays and tuck my boys in for bed.

Namaste

Enjoying just being in Andorra, pushing my body to the limit . Gratitude to be here!
Enjoying just being in Andorra, pushing my body to the limit . Gratitude to be here!

 

Next world cup, Tromso, Norway mid april!!

 

 

 

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