4th in the Boat

I'm back from another successful 4th of July week in Steamboat Springs.  This makes it 7 years straight that I've been in Steamboat for this week, starting from the first national junior camp that Bill Demong put on way-back-when.  

We kicked off the week with the usual Fish Creek time trial.  It's a great way to measure our fitness over the years, mostly uphill and we finish close to 1000 feet above the start.  I knew I had a good race, but surprised myself a bit by putting down the fastest time of our team.  Now, a July 1st, time trial is of little consequence, but I'm still pretty excited to be able to show that kind of fitness.  And, being teammates with Bill Demong, Todd Lodwick, Taylor Fletcher and Bryan Fletcher, it's usually not that often that I'm leading the crew. 

That afternoon we (the Ski Team, led by Bill), put on a quick technique session for the younger nordic combiners.  Drills can be fun!  Check out the video clip below from my Dad of Spencer and I going through the Super-G section.

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Some of the crew at the technique session.

The 4th of July downtown sprint race was as exciting as always.  I didn't jump quite far enough to be in a position to contend, but I still enjoyed the fast pace race and moved up to finish 6th.  Todd Lodwick won the jumping and held off Bill and Taylor's sprint.  I'm not sure Todd's in the best shape of his life right now, but when it comes to sprinting on rollerskis, nobody is as fast.

Taylor Fletcher and Bill Demong giving chase. Photo credit: Steamboat Today, Joel Reichenberger.

Lodwick skiing to another 4th of July Victory. Photo credit: Steamboat Today, Joel Reichenberger.

Me, in blue shorts, followed by some of the junior class competitors.

After the rollerski race we competed in a fun elimination long-standing competition.   I didn't have the magic that I usually have jumping in Steamboat and was eliminated early, but enjoyed spectating some long jumps. The long-standing champ, aka brother Ben Loomis, rose to the occasion again to take the win.  12 year old Decker Dean, from Steamboat, was second, after a week of consistently throwing down long jumps.  Watch out for him.

Rope swinging action below.  Tyler, Spencer and I cooled off here before a big 4th of July dinner at the Andrews.  I think we're pretty graceful but my former-diver sister might disagree.

Tomorrow morning, after 3 whole nights at home, we head off to Germany and France!  We'll be focusing on jumping in Hinterzarten, Germany, and then mostly riding our bikes in Courchevel, France.  Look for us along stages 18 and 19 on the le Tour.  More to come soon!

Thanks to the NNF supporters for a successful week of fundraising as well as competing!