The first block of skiing is done, the feelings were very good, although fatigue was present at the end and I took the time to rest again before launching into the physical training block, which will last a month and a half. This week I had on the program muscle recovery sessions, PMA, support, gym, sheathing and other sports. Next week there is a physical training planned in Aigle, Switzerland, big week with a program including the trail bike, I'll try not to fall))))

Thank you for your comments, for your visits to my blog kitchen and for your support.
See you soon
Mary

Some news of the current program!

After our first ski camp at 2 Alpes mid June, we had four days of skiing on the glacier of Val d'Isère with wonderful conditions. Beautiful weather (we have waited for this one!), hard snow, ideal temperatures and great feelings. Val d'Isère put in great efforts to make everything work out as well as it did so thank you to all the players to make this happen.

To end the block of skiing, we will go to Amnéville by Lorraine for two days for skiing in the dome, test equipment, make progress on the icy snow and do many repetitions.

Talk to you soon! Kisses

 

 

So now, the holidays are over, so is the recovery time and now we attack the more serious things.

Short physical training camp in Les Landes last week with surfing, muscular, cycling, beach volleyball and others.

Then, after the effort a bit of comfort, I went to Roland Garros for 3 days, including a superb day on Monday as a VIP with Lacoste. That was great.

I am back to Albertville for two weeks of physical training (the first one is almost finished) and the first course at 2 Alpes ski mid June!

That's it for news,

There is more tasty stuff on my food blog ... ;-)

That's it, the holidays are over, this week we quietly resume physical training with some pretty basic, cycling and weight training to relearn to do all kinds of movements. (I already have sore muscles this morning hihhihihi).

THE next week we have a physical training camp in Les Landes where we will be doing sports all day such as surfing, muscular training, cycling, beach volleyball, rowing, and other. Days that are filled and tiring but we are here for exactly that and I must say it is rather nice!

I hope you went to visit the rental place and also my kitchen blog!

Hugs to all

And yes, I'm back from vacation, physical training will resume gradually.

But before we talk of me, I wanted to ask you to pay up ...

Our family company, The Stars of Mont Blanc, offers several services including the rental of a luxury chalet for 10-15 people, extremely well equipped, all-wood, with a big terrace with barbecue, a large jacuzzi 6 seater, a garage, a corner bath, a stove, a beautiful kitchen with American fridge ...

Talking about you, click here to rent a beautiful cottage this summer. Many activities are nearby, including swimming, skating, tennis, mini golf, lake swimming, bicycle rental ... So many ways to spend summer vacation in the mountains and share brilliant moments with family friends!

Do me a favor by passing the word around, there are still free weeks this summer, and if you book two weeks, you will receive a discount!

If a rental occurs thanks to one of you (specify that you were on my site), I will reserve you a surprise gift of great value.

Pass the word around!

Hugs and thank you in advance,

Marie

The title says it all.

As of today, I'm on vacation! Yahouuuuuuuuu!

After four days of skiing with clients of Club Med La Plagne, cruising from group to group with Florence (Masnada), I shall savor my vacation.

I will spend a few days at home, to enjoy my family and then go to the sun quickly. Far from everything to recharge my mind. It will be a holiday in Egypt for me this year: diving, squash, tennis, relaxing, sunbathing, completely disconnected from everything which is perfect.

Before I leave (I'll take a break from blogging until restart of my physical training in mid-May), I wanted to thank everyone who has believed in me and supported me this year. My family of course, my team (staff and girls), my sponsors, my friends and all the "strangers" who follow me and continue to support me. It always touches me and makes me happy.

If you want to follow me in another area, I will try to write as often as possible my French food blog here.

Go check it out and let me have your comments!

Hugs to all and see you soon.

Sincerely, Marie

 

Hello everyone,

So, the season was brought to an appropriate end with a wonderful day in Les Contamines.

On Sunday, you came in large numbers to the parallel race and barbecue at the Signal kids' lift. Some of you were also very helpful and that was greatly appreciated, thank you to all those. (Josephine, Michael, Sabrina, Jean-Michel Sylvain, Serge, Jean-Louis, Monique, Jean-Paul, Fabrice and many others).

Beautiful prizes were distributed, including goggles and helmets by Bollé, products by Emile Noel and Weleda as well as clothing by Craft. Thank you to the staff of the Contas resort, and the company of Montfort Cluses which will be on my helmet and realized the first items for my fan club. They will soon be available on the fan club website!

So a big thank you to everyone and a party will be held this summer in Les Contamines; we will keep you informed.

Hugs to all

Marie

After the World Cup Finals, I participated in the Customs Champs in Garmisch, and then I competed in the French Nationals in Les Menuires.

These few weeks are a bit difficult for me; I'm exhausted by the season that just ended and really need a break. So I had days where I crashed, went out or did not ski well (GS, slalom and downhill). I managed to win the title in super-G, which made me very happy. I had gone for it in the super combined with a super slalom, but then straddled a gate in the middle of the course (I'm not sure how my ski got on the wrong side of the gate). Anyway, how I was skiing there and having fun too, is what's most important for this last day.

Now I have another week of FIS races, some free skiing and the day of my fan club.

The date is already fixed, it will be Sunday, April 11 at 10am in Contamines.

Until very soon.
MArie

I am writing from Garmisch in Germany, we are here for the finals, the World Cup season is ending.

The day of reckoning will come, but before that, I'll finish the season with the Customs champs, a competition among the 6 Customs nations. It will be a slalom and a giant slalom. The French will do their utmost to win; it is one way to thank the Customs administration for their daily support.

Then it will be time for the French national championships, some FIS races and then some tests with Rossignol to develop the equipment for next year.

In the meantime, I thank you again and again for your messages on my blog and comments on my notes. Some of them really have touched me and I'll try to respond personally to as many people as possible.

Bises et à bientot

Hello.

As stated so well in the title of this article, the day of reckoning has come.

3 races, 7th, 10th and DNF. Not a bad record but not good either. The goal of the season in the Olympic competition has not been achieved. No medal. A podium finish is difficult I know but it was doable.
So it did not happen this time. I think I had a good state of mind during these Olympics. Calm, serene, confident, a lot of envy, desire, nothing to regret. But that was not enough. That means I must take a step back to know and understand what I can improve to be even better. Saturday's race (super giant) has been the most frustrating for me because I could not express myself in the race. But that is how the game is played.

I really feel for Marion, my teammate, who tore the cruciate ligament on her knee falling right after the start. I wish her lots of strength and courage for the coming months.
Our group did not experience great Games and we look forward to do us a favor and go for the podium in the remaining races.

Another thing, I was very moved and it gave me great pleasure to read all your messages of encouragement, support, congratulations or other. This makes things easier and also helps me to put things in perspective.

And my gratitude also goes out to les Contamines to have mobilized to support me. And thanks to everyone, all my sponsors, my family, my friends ...

Kisses to everyone and until very soon at the next World Cup in Crans Montana.

Marie

Tomorrow will be a downhill training. The weather forecast is good, I'm optimistic. I have bib nr. 4. We have a strange programme, we will race 3 / 4 of the course at 10am and then the last quarter we will be able to do after the race of the guys, at 13H.

That was good news when I read the Contamines website, thank you in advance to everyone who will mobilize, it really touches me! and what a badge! 'm a total fan of it!

In the meantime, I can only congratulate the first French medalists Marie Dorin, Jay Vincent and Jason Lamy Chappuis. Magic! I also think of those who were disappointed by their race. Courage!

Now, it s our turn, finally ....! See you soon and thank you for all the messages in the guestbook!

Kisses

A quick hello from Whistler, where I arrived Tuesday afternoon.

We are housed in the Olympic Village, a small "disneyland". It's funny. Unfortunately, I cannot put photos of the village up during the Games, for security reasons. I'll find other photos!

All is going well, we spent 3 days in California before coming here. Morale is therefore high and I am delighted to be here and able to experience these Olympics.

I'll tell you more about anything I see.

Anyway, thank you for your encouragement.
And vive la France,

Kisses

A few words before leaving for Canada ....

It's late, my bags are almost packed, January too, with a beautiful end of the month. Thank you for your messages of encouragement, congratulations, curiosity ....
In short, now this is it.
The Games. Vancouver. Ca y est. This is it. Let's go.
We leave to San Diego for 3 days before returning to Whistler and the Olympic Village.

One piece of advise, enjoy ....

Kisses and see you soon

Marie

Now, Cortina is over.

The summary of results: 23rd in SG and 12th in downhill. A summary of feelings: SG mixed because I felt good while skiing, probably too much so. Downhill, I had some fun, which is already a good step forward. The result is ok, although inevitably, I would like to do better. But I'm happy for now as the month of January is one of my reconstruction. Each passing day brings new feelings, a little less fear, a little more fun. That's my main goal right now. Let the fun return and overcome the fear.

We will travel to St. Moritz tomorrow, after a little slalom training to prepare for the combined there. 3 races are scheduled: 1 SG, 1 combined and 1 DH.

Complete change of subject: After what happened in Haiti, we decided to auction our bibs from Cortina, all the moneyraised will be for the American Red Cross (Julia Mancuso had the idea). So get on with it and go bid on the bibs! Click here

http://shop.ebay.fr/cortinabibs4haiti/m.html?_trkparms=65%253A2%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1&_ipg=&_sop=3&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14 .

Moreover, this summer I participated in a program called "The Games Testing". The idea was for consultants to test all the Olympic disciplines. ... Rather funny, here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6x-Sw1-bTs

Then another TV report, INSIDE SPORT, that was more focused on the lives of our speed group from June until early January. It's broadcast on Canal + on Saturday at 15.30.

If you want a taste, click here http://www.canalplus.fr/pid2708.htm, for a story on JB and Julien. It's really well done and very close to our daily lives.

With that I think I am done with the infos. It's the final week of the World Cup before the Games, so we'll continue to perfect the rise. Let's goooooooo!

Hola,

After we had 4 days of training in the Grand Bornand last week, where we trained all 4 events (it was cool to ski slalom and giant slalom!), we're here at Cortina now.

Previously, we - Aurelie, Marion and me - had the opportunity to receive a very nice invitation to a beauty salon in Albertville, called the "Salon". We were wonderfully received by the entire team and especially by Sophie, the boss! The program included hot stone massage, scalp massage, manicure, blow dry, cake, champagne ... We were spoiled and delighted during this very feminine afternoon. As a taste, here are some images...

Also briefly, we are in Italy now and we had the 1st downhill training this morning.

The track is beautiful, the weather too, everything is coming together for a beautiful week.

My feeling is progressing, it is not pure pleasure all the time but I keep working and try to stay focused.

Thank you for all your messages, filled with encouragement and positive thoughts. I love it!

 

So I have come home for a few days after the week of speed at Haus. The goal for me there was to enjoy, not to have any fear, the main objective being rebuilding myself after my crash at Val d'Isère.

I spent a lot of (mental) energy last week. Pleasure and safety were my priorities. The first training required a lot of concentration and I skied well but the butterflies I had in my stomach did not disappear. Still I skied well and went back to basics that worked rather well.

The 1st downhill went well since I finished 6th. Two weeks after Val it was a real pleasure to score such a good result.

The 2nd downhill had to be shortened and I made some mistakes that cost me dearly. Finally, I finished 26th. Ingrid and Marion had a great race as they finished 3rd and 4th. Chapeau!

For me, it was difficult, especially compared to my results the day prior. Doing so well on Friday made Saturday's race harder to digest. Then at the same time, I was the first to say that during the month of January, I shall reconstruct and take each race as it comes and won't look at the results. I have not managed to do this and I am to blame. We always learn from failures, so I try to step back and especially won't expect anything from anyone. And yes, top level sport is what it is. So hard but also so magical.

In short, I am in France for the week, for training. Speed and slalom. This will do me good and help make some progress before returning to Italy and Switzerland.

Thank you to those who have supported me and know that it is at difficult times (it gets worse, I am aware) that they are most needed. ... And as Aurélie put it, herself having had a difficult week,

"Failure is the spice that gives success its flavor ..."

 

One last note before the end of the year, to finish in style!

I shall first speak of the generosity that people have shown towards me, in terms of words, messages, and gestures also. As a special gesture, on my return from New York City, I received several messages of encouragement, support ... and a nice Yankees T-shirt.

Another message I received from someone who is from our beautiful region, and is passionate about snow and cooking. Without really knowing her and having just exchanged a few messages, I received from her cookies, all excellent and made with talent and passion. Visit the blog by Marie-Laure - it's a magnificent site in blue and brown (I'm a fan!). She gave me a tip that I take very seriously: a cookie a day keeps the doctor away ...!

This is just a brief overview, I was very touched by the notes I received this year after good performances, after performance problems ...I just want to thank all of you, for your generosity, your support and your help you gave to me this year. My blog is a way to communicate with all the ski lovers and this is exactly what i love. Talking about skiing and others things (like cooking....).

I promise that after what I receive as a top athlete, I want to give back and return the favor later in my life.

So i wish you a wonderful and healthy New Year 2010 year, with happiness and love.

 

Best wishes, lead by example ....

 

Bises * *

Marie

 

Hello everyone,

Here are some reassuring news after spending a week of rest at home.

The first days were a bit difficult, especially from a moral perspective. I know I've been very lucky with regard to this crash because I did not hurt myself badly. On the other hand, the fact that I did not master the situation and the fact that I do not remember certain things, destabilized me a bit emotionally.

But now I am over it. I want to resume the sport, and I miss skiing. Maybe I became aware of the risks I take when skiing but I also realized I can not live without. So I'm going to ski as fast as possible again and everything will go well.

Thank you again for your support, now it is time to move on, to grow from this experience to be even stronger and to gain momentum throughout the month of January in order to achieve full confidence in time for the Games.

Kisses and talk to you later.

Cheers

Marie

A brief note, which I will expand on if I get some time.

We are here in Val d'Isère, to race 3 World Cups: a super combined on Friday, a downhill on Saturday and a super-G on Sunday.

The girls had an amazing weekend in Are (bravo, it was fabulous!) and obviously, everyone's asking if that inspired us! Of course, and how!!!!

I'm delighted to be in France and will focus all my energy on my skis to race as fast as possible and to finish with no regrets.

See u soooooon

Bises

Marie