Unless some sneaky Norwegian or Finns are jumping without telling the world, we've had the first jumps of the 2014 winter season right here in Park City.  It's really great to back on snow and to have some solid training ahead before we start competing.  Here's a video of me, from our first session, yesterday. Huge props to the Utah Olympic Park crew for getting the hill ready, despite having only a few wintery days to make snow.

Last week, we made a trip up to Ogden to spend some time flying in a wind tunnel.  A very smart man named Layne built it this summer (reportedly from youtube videos) and opened it up to whomever is interested.  We're incredibly fortunate to have this technology within an hour drive, and to have a team that is supportive of using it.  Perhaps the most surprising thing from our time in the tunnel was how exhausting it was.  But, when you think about it, usually we are lucky to fly for four second in the air.  Here, with the help of a harness and 65 mph winds, we were taking turn at 3 - 4 minute flying efforts.  Without a doubt, this time was invaluable.  I could immediately feel the changes I needed to make when I brought these ideas to the hill yesterday and today.  

For more from the wind tunnel, check my vimeo page from the above link of my jumping.

I've been meaning to get an update out sooner, but for the moment, check out Brett Denney's blog on our busy last couple weeks:http://brettdenney.com/2013/11/10/game-time/

Also, NTG member Spencer Knickerbocker just put together a cool video with some brief highlights of their last trip.  We with with them in Planica, but not on the glacier in Ramsau, Austria, where you'll see them skiing. It's under 3 minutes - take the time and check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4pkUZlJPbc&feature=youtu.be