Tignes Airwaves

The FIS World Cup circuit started on January 5th and then the FIS runs 4 races in 15 days in 3 different countries.  That schedule makes it difficult to take rest days, and it also doesn't leave much room for non-FIS pro events.   Tignes managed, however, to throw together a Skier Cross between the World Cup in St Johann and the World Cup in Les Contamines.  They also put up some prize money so we saw most of the best pros at this event.

Last year I showed up to Tignes and pulled out a podium so I went there this year hoping for another podium and perhaps a win.  The win was derailed, however, by a tall Swiss guy named Andreas Steffen.  Andreas is a nice guy but I do believe he got a little dirty when he delivered a side-kick to my tip just before entering a turn. 

As we went into a bottleneck of a turn with 6 racers on course Andreas kicked his foot out to the side, took out my tip, and sent me straight into the fence.  I had some speed so I went straight to the top of the B-net and then got slammed to the ground.  I felt like I rotated some ribs because I wasn't breathing well.  It turned out okay.  I was healthy and I walked away. 

I'm having difficulty getting good qualifying times and it's hard not to blame the racers that are using race suits.  I believe the results are skewed and that's sad.  Hopefully we will get through this and get back to a level field again.  The next time I check in will be from Les Contamines, France, where I scored 2nd in the World Cup last year.