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Real Lithuanian GS
15 February 2004
Well I just got back from another eventful weekend
in Ignalina! If you recall from my earlier emails, Ignalina is where
the Lithuanian Winter Sport Center is, and the scene of several
races throughout the winter. It turns out this weekend, it was some
sort of celebration of winter sports, though I didn't quite catch
for what, but there were not only alpine ski races, but cross-country,
ski orienteering and speed skating.
Yesterday we ran a REAL Lithuanian GS. Ignalina has snow guns, but
they don't have any grooming. It was like running GS through a mogul
field. Add the fact that just before the first run, the poma lift
broke down and we had to hike the hill! That's when you're glad
the hill is only a hundred and fifty feet high! I was the only girl
so I started first and as soon as I arrived at the top they told
me to get in the gate! Then I got to the bottom had about 10 minutes
and had to do it again! But, all I had to do was finish and I was
guaranteed a gold medal. ;)
Our party last night was pretty fun, there was a big basketball
game on tv... Vilnius vs. Kaunas, so we all watched that. Kaunas
won by one point! All the wives put out a spread of sandwiches,
meat, fruit, fried bread... Jason and I contributed some wine and
brandy to the party. After the game, we went to the sauna again,
but it was a little hot, or maybe too dry for me.
Today we had real Lithuanian SL. At least we didn't have to hike
the hill. But, the SL seriously WAS in the moguls! You're launched
over one coming right into the finish. About mid-way down, there
were a bunch of exposed rocks, and there was some freak with no
poles Texas-tucking down the hill the whole time coming more than
dangerously close to the course. I managed to stand up though and
got another gold medal and a cup. I had some competition today...
an 8 year old girl. I felt pretty stupid when they gave me the cup.
Whatever, it's fun anyway and nice that they go to so much trouble!
Well I'm home again now, ready to get in bed and stay there for
a good 10 hours! Tomorrow is Lithuanian Independence Day (from Russia
in 1918 or whatever) so we don't work! Three day weekend... nice! |
