Ravishing Ridnaun

If a place could be ravishing, then Ridnaun would be it! It is gorgeous. Petr and I arrived on Friday the 18th and moved into the nicest apartment- right on the ski trails and in the sunshine. Unfortunately, my rifle and bags did not arrive until Saturday night very late, so I was not able to train the Saturday. On Monday I had a frantic drive to Munich in a snow storm to try and get my Russian VISA for World Champs- well, that was disasterous and it is not going to be ready until this coming Monday morning- the morning I am supposed to be flying to Russia. FINGERS CROSSED!

On Tuesday was the 15km Individual race. After my lung infection, I had not trained long intensity, but surprisingly the skiing felt alright. Shooting on the other hand...well...it started off fantastic! Clean prone, one miss standing, and another clean prone. 14/15! Rock on! Then....Dun dun dun....I came in for my last standing. 1 miss, 2 miss, 3 miss, 4 miss, 5 miss. 5 misses.....is that even possible? Yes, yes it is, and I did it. What a disappointment...but maybe I'm just getting it out of my system before World Champs? That's what we will tell people ;)

I once again decided not to race in the Womens relay, tough decision, but I really don't think I am ready to race 4 x 6km by myself. Who knows....maybe one day :)

This meant I had 3 days off to train and enjoy the perfect Italian weather (apart from some slight wind). Today was the 7.5km sprint race, and I was starter number 2! Yahoo....I really enjoy starting early, and do not often have the opportunity in World Cups, so it was fantastic. It was so hot that I raced with no gloves (Thank goodness I painted my nails last night!) a headband, and with my (new) race suit pulled up. I think it helped with my Vitamin D deficiency though= positive!

I came in for my first prone and hit all five- take that Mr. penalty loop! Skiing was beautiful, and I came in for standing feeling good. Too bad standing shooting and I are in the middle of a divorce, so I missed three. Dang....3 times around the penalty loop = not nice, even if it is perfectly round and one of the nicest on the tour.


So, 7/10, and I finished 44th. Tomorrow is my first pursuit of the season- Someone even had to remind me if it was 12.5km or 10km. Turns out it's 10km- YES!


I hope everyone is happy and healthy. I am sending all positive and healing thoughts to everyone in Christchurch and all of NZ! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Sad news this week. On Tuesday the 22nd, around 1pm in Christchurch, New Zealand. Church spired, and many buildings have collapsed. Right now there are 98 confirmed deaths and over 200 people trapped under collapsed buildings. Here's some articles and videos.



http://www.stuff.co.nz/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcGUg4tNR2M&feature=aso

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/videos/4689646/Aftermath-of-Christchurch-quake

I will wear a black and red armband on Saturday to show my support. I feel bad because that will not do anything to help, it will just show my support.

Here we go again

The first two weeks in Canada was filled with doctors’ appointments and the continuous emptying of tissue boxes- I was sick. It ended up being a viral infection in my lungs with the only medicine being time. Well dang, what a downer, but it was probably just a way for my body to tell me to slow down and just sit for a minute. It was -35 out anyways, so the cozyness of the couch was fantastic. The last week and a half I got in some great training sessions in some gorgeous weather. I also turned 23 years old, and met some very generous people including a worker at Wildflower bakery in Banff who bought me a cookie (Anise and fig- try it!). It was fantastic!

After a great 3 weeks at home, it’s back on the track, Jack! I was set: I had my flights booked and my transfer permits for both Amsterdam and Munich. Success! I still did not have a way from Munich to Ridnaun, Italy, where I was headed, or my Russian visas sorted, but I was positive it would all unfold somehow.

I arrived in Amsterdam safe and sound after a great flight, and made the next flight with 1-½ hours to spare (And people say I’m never early!).  My plan for my arrival in Europe was to catch a train to Italy and work my way up the mountain to Ridnaun. I also contemplated getting on the speakerphone on the plane and asking if anyone was driving to Italy. To my luck my seatmate was! He was catching a little bus and there was space for me- success! The only problem was that the bus left at 3 and we arrived in Munich at 3. No problem, the security guards were waiting for me with papers ready and even greeted me “aaah, you must be Miss Murphy!” Then we waited for my rifle, and we waited…..and we waited….and the bus waited….and my seatmate and his girlfriend waited….and it never showed up. It was still in Amsterdam. It was now 3:45. Crap! Well, after extensive paperwork, many I’m sorry’s and thank-yous, I am currently on the bus to Ridnaun, and my rifle should be shipped to Ridnaun tonight or tomorrow. Oh man, I’m nervous as my dog is of the vacuum. Everyone, please cross your fingers, and hold your thumbs that my bag will arrive!

I arrived safe and sound to Ridnaun thanks to my good mate, Ginge, who picked me up at the bottom of the valley. That’s when I found out my accommodation doesn’t start until tomorrow- it was all-full for tonight, so Petr and I are staying one night in the fancy Schneeberg! Yahoo!

Well, of course, we start it off with a BANG! (Except with no rifle, because it is probably somewhere in Mongolia). Stay healthy and Happy!