Friday, January 22, 2010

3 kiwi sliders qualified for the games.

Since my last post, I have been back in sunny NZ, soaking up my first true summer since 1999! A NZ Christmas with family was a nice treat following the bitter disapointment of having to return to NZ due to lack of sponsorship and funds, ending my chance of qualifying for these games, in 10 seasons of sliding for NZ this is the first time I have not managed to get the money needed to see the race season out, it is sad and gutting it had to happen while working toward my second Winter Olympics, I am thankful for the sponsorship and support that I did mange to secure, and proud to have used it well claiming two medals in Calgary in December. But this season and these Olympics were not for me, as a kiwi racing internationally is a very tough game and securing the money to do it is the hardest part. And as most kiwi athlete experience running out of money at some stage it was probably fair for me to finally add that to my journey as an athlete.

I'm currently working every hour I can trying to pay off the debts I racked up this race season.

My team mates Ben Sandford, Iain Roberts and Tionette Stoddard were just announced by the NZOC as 2010 Winter Olympic team members, it is a very big achievement for these three to have qualified for the games, Tionette and Iain only just missed out in 2006 and Ben will be going back for a second time after finishing 10th in Torino 4 years ago. Go Kiwis Go!!! I hope your all watching, as for once NZ will get to see the most awesome sport in the world live on TV.