Just to say: If you are in New Zealand and get the chance, check out the New Idea magazine issue that was released today, Monday 19th September. My article is in it! Cya, Sarah

The past weeks have been action packed with ski racing, training and full time working for me on my Northern Hemisphere winter season and future plans.

Less than 2 weeks ago, I competed in the New Zealand National Champs at Coronet Peak in Queenstown. My result was that I won the New Zealand National Champs Slalom title, for the 3rd year in a row and claimed my 15^th NZ National title. It was great racing! Conditions were excellent with an awesome International field of Women in which I placed 9^th Overall. The other strong countries competing were Switzerland, Norway and Poland and the Overall winner of the day from Switzerland is ranked in the top 30 Slalom Women in the World. It is great to have these countries competing in the races in New Zealand when they are out here training.

I’ve been training often as well up at Coronet, which is always great conditions!

New Zealand is turning it on with spring in Queenstown, early morning hard snow and sunny days is truly awesome. I’m looking forward to spending the next weeks of spring down here before I head to the North Island.

The country is also right into the Rugby World Cup 2011, so wherever you are and if you are watching, enjoy what NZ has to offer!! All Blacks rule!

Enjoy my vid below with my recent skiing action :

http://www.vimeo.com/29161403

Hey everyone,

Here is the episode from the 100% Pure NZ Winter Games Slalom that was on Sky Sport TV the day after the race a few weeks ago, on 25th August 2011.

Check out the action !

The 100% Pure NZ Winter Games Slalom was held at Coronet Peak, Queenstown NZ this week on Wednesday.

It was an awesome event, with great conditions and competitors.

I truly enjoyed it !
I placed 9th Overall and 1st NZer !

Check out the video below for some action

http://www.vimeo.com/28178513

Great news!

I’ve been fortunate enough to welcome on board a new Sponsor: Shotover Jet, Queenstown New Zealand – World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride (www.shotoverjet.com)

The Shotover Jet is one of New Zealand’s number one tourist attractions, with amazing scenery and adventure in Queenstown packed into the world’s most exciting jet boat ride!

I am looking forward to working with the Shotover Jet company and people along my path to achieving my dreams and goals as a professional Ski Racer!

Below, check out the pic, the video of our ride from last week and the Shotover Jet info after the video:

http://www.vimeo.com/27997106

World famous as the ultimate jet boat experience, Shotover Jet has thrilled over 3 million people since 1970, and now it’s your turn! Take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons, and hold on tight for Queenstown’s only exhilarating full 360° spins. ‘Can you handle the canyons?’ with award winning Shotover Jet, ‘The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride’ and the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.

Shotover Jet was one of Queenstown’s first adventure activities and is one of the experiences that has helped to put New Zealand on the global tourism map. Combining the classic New Zealand invention of the Jet Boat with the kiwi culture of adventure, Shotover Jet has become part of the fabric of what is quintessentially ‘New Zealand’. People from all over New Zealand and from all around the world visit Queenstown for two main reasons, scenery and adventure; Shotover Jet combines both of these in a unique, exhilarating and unforgettable way and is for many visitors the highlight of their Queenstown and New Zealand holiday.

Hey everyone,
Check out the video of me on Crowd Goes Wild, Prime TV,  a few weeks ago in July!

My journey from Hamilton to Queenstown was made in success, with the highlight being able to stop and see my sponsors Merrell in Christchurch. Check out the pictures on the video below to see some of the awesome Merrell footwear and apparel I wear off the snow, which I’m very grateful for!

With Queenstown being my base for the season, I’m training up at Coronet Peak with my coach Peter Warmington. Coronet has had lots of snow lately, so its definitely looking amazing and the piste is setting up well for the season. My skiing is on the right track, as I work towards skiing my best consistently.

Check out the video to see my Slalom training, Merrell gear & Pow skiing!

http://www.vimeo.com/26903027

For the past 3 weeks, I’ve been home in New Zealand, which is always great news!

Prior to this, for the month of June, I was living in Austria where my coaches live, working on Physical Training and Sponsorship together.

This was great in many ways, including having some summer time!
Winter snow in NZ has taken its time to arrive compared to the usual in the past.
This has suited me well, as I’ve been able to stay in the North Island, in Hamilton and Auckland, to continue my Physical Training and Sponsorship work.
I was also lucky enough to ski a day at Snowplanet with the Auckland Normal Intermediate School Ski Team (see above pic.) They were training for the North Island School Ski Champs, so it was great to join in with them and see young NZ talent on the ski slopes!
Presently, I’m now heading to Queenstown in the South Island (see above pic) to begin skiing again next week at Coronet Peak.
Awesome!
Some recent news too is that I am a finalist for the Snow Sports NZ Alpine Athlete Of The Year Award.
For the event, which will be held in two weeks time, I’ve made a video to be played, so here it is below and I hope you enjoy it!
Take Care,
Sarah

http://www.vimeo.com/26246390

For the past month, Cape Town, South Africa has been my home.

I definitely believe South Africa is a very special country on earth.

There can be so much to see and learn within such a place….

Cape town is a beautiful, great and diverse city. I spent time with friends there, seeing sights, doing many things, plus travelling east across the country on the Garden Route.

South Africa has been a great place for me to grow as a person, which has strengthened my outlook on life, including my dreams as a Professional Ski Racer and as a person.

I was also able to work on Sponsorship here, which is a continual process as part of my profession and life.

I am now looking forward to heading back to Austria to continue working, heading on to New Zealand after that.

Take care,

Enjoy the video,

Sarah

The past 6 months have been my main Ski Racing winter season of competition. I have been living overseas, racing from November to April in the Northern Hemisphere.

My winter began in the USA, training in Colorado. I began competing at the end of November. The events I competed in were World Cup, Nor-Am Cup (Continental Cup) and FIS (Federal of International Skiing) races. I then moved on to Canada for December, competing in similar events. It was a successful North-American campaign.

The remainder of the winter season I was based in Austria in Europe, in the Salzburg region. This is a great base area for access to many options for training, as well as being central to travel to other European countries for races. I competed in similar events in Europe, being World Cup, European Cup (Continental Cup) and FIS races. The countries I raced in were many, such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Italy and France. For the majority of my races, I was the sole representative female skier from New Zealand.

My main event of the season was the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships, which were held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany in February. I was the sole female representative from New Zealand, joined by 2 males to make up the New Zealand Team. I placed 43rd in Slalom, out of a strong field of over 120 girls.

All together, it was a successful 2010/2011 winter season for me. I am now finished racing for the season and looking forward to recovery, followed by preparation for the upcoming season, as well as some summer sun!