Travel is a necessary part of any Luge athlete's life.   We spend 6 months every year doing it.   With that said, I hate it.   I hate planes, rental cars, security lines, over priced food, un known delays, baggage fees, carry-ons that don't fit...well you get the idea.   Oh, I am fully aware that this is not an uncommon sentiment; I just had to throw in my thoughts on the subject.

My weekend started out with a 3am ride (Sat. morn) to the airport.  Lake Placid is 2 hours from Albany and I had a 6am flight to L.A.   Normally I would have just fell asleep in the back but my instincts told me to pay more attention...and my instincts proved correct when we veered off into the ditch after our driver (unnamed athlete) dozed off.  Unnamed athlete woke up and frantically tried to correct which threw us into a 60 second series of sharp right and left skids only seen at Auto test facilities.   All in the middle of the freeway traveling at 70 mph. 

Time for Tony to drive.

I'm heading to L.A for a meet and greet of USOC sponsors, supporters, etc.  It's a great opportunity and I'm very excited to be a part of it.   After the event, I'm getting back on a plane and heading to MN on the red-eye which puts me in Minneapolis at 5am Sunday morn.  That will give me 24 hours back home to look at a Town Home I am thinking of buying.    I'll say my hellos and good byes and get on a plane to Salt Lake City Monday morn.   Whew.  

There may be some caffeine involved J

Yesterday was the final Lake Placid race-off that marks the mid-way point of the world cup team selection races.   The remaining 2 race-offs take place in Park City, UT next weekend.  The overstuffed U-haul departed last night full of sleds, baggage and 2 unexcited-about-the-drive coaches.  I can only imagine the conversations that occur between a Russian (Klim) and a Liechtenstein resident (Wolfi)!   I should put in a tape recorder sometime...

We are all excited to get to Park City.  It is a complete 180-degree change from Lake Placid in every possible way.   Literally the only similarity is that there is a Luge track.  So I can't wait.  The list of reasons why Park City rules is too long to list here...but first and foremost is this:  Park City's track is much more consistent.  Well, it's easier.  So it's easier to be more consistent.  Make sense?   And that's just what I need for the last week before the Vancouver international training week.

Lets just say that Park City is a complete Luge oasis.  

So with that in mind, we have a very close race-off so far and this week's races will be intense!   After next weekend the World Cup Team will be chosen and that team will head up to Vancouver for the final training week before the Olympics.   For now, though, I'm focused on this weekend and getting through it (thankfully the 3am rides to Albany are over!)   Coffee anyone?

~TB