Today was the Team Parallel.  The team event is pretty different from your typical ski race.  There are 3 racers per team and you have to have 1 female and or at least 1 male per team.   Team USA was fielded by Cory Snyder, Madi McKinstry and myself.  The way it works is you race against 1 other Country and their 3 racers.  Whichever Country first wins 2 individual matches they advance to the next round.  USA vs Switzerland!!   We had a tough task ahead seeing that the Swiss fielded 2 athletes that are ranked top 3 in the World.

I have been skiing fast this week and felt pretty good going into today.   I was matched up against a Swiss skier that was pretty even with me.  Cory had his work cut out for him as he was matched up against one of the fasted skiers in the World.  Madi, well Madi was racing the fasted female in the World.  So yes, we were the underdogs.

To sum it up….we got beaat.  All three of us skied our hearts out but it was just not enough.  I was plagued with penalties today.  The speeds were high today and I just got caught up in them and forgot about making proper telemark turns.  I got 3 penalties the first run and that was basically it for me.  No way I can make up that much time on such a short course.  I beat my competitor both runs…but then got knocked with deserved penalties and he overtook me from there.   Madi skied fast but it was not enough to beat the fasted girl in the World.  And Cory skied great today.  He got beat the first run and then came back the 2nd run and passed his competitor as he was a victim to falling in the wrap/360.  The Swiss had a fantastic showing today as they ended up winning the gold.  Nice to know that we competed with the gold medal winners.

Overall…what a great experience!  Team USA made a strong showing today and I think we all walked off the hill today feeling pretty good.

Tomorrow is the last race of the World Championships.  Sprint Classic!