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I am now determined to have a career-defining performance for Canada on February 22, 2014 in the Sochi Olympic slalom.

Here’s the catch: I’m doing it on my own.

How With your financial and moral support.  For the 7 available sponsorships of $1,500 or greater (2 at $5,000; 5 at $1,500), you can become an official Anna Goodman Sponsor and you (or your company) will receive a unique gift package, multiple service benefits and added value depending upon the level of your support. For contributors of $20 to $500, I will recognize your donations with awesome gift packages. Anything goes a long way, so whether you donate a small or large amount, it will all go towards the pursuit of my Olympic Adventure.  I need to raise $20,000 to cover my travel, room, and board so that I can race the full World Cup Slalom circuit and perform at SOCHI!

My Story:

This past season brought about the most amazing and inspiring changes in my life.  The first major change that happened was starting “The Ski Racing Sisterhood” ski camps for girls with fellow Olympian Shona Rubens.  We started these camps with the aim to inspire the next generation of skiers to be confident, strong, and happy women.  The camp was a huge success and we both left feeling inspired ourselves.  Coaching was one of the things that changed my perspective on skiing.  Through coaching I saw in the eyes of the athletes what I had lost myself: the passion, the drive, and the pure joy of ski racing.

Founders of the Ski Racing Sisterhood: Shona and Anna

Founders of the Ski Racing Sisterhood: Shona and Anna

After many stints coaching over the summer, I started my first semester of College at Westminster College in Utah.  I was a 26 year old freshman!  Despite the age difference and the rustiness from not having studied for about ten years, I jumped right in and loved being back in school.  School was not the only thing that Utah had to offer.  Since Marco and I had moved to Utah, our friend circles grew and our outdoor activities broadened.  Everyday there was an outdoor activity to partake in, and every night there were friends to hang out and laugh with.  It was the life I had wanted after so many years of being on the road.

me marco touring 2

As the school year progressed, I started to think about ski racing again.  I was on the Westminster Ski Team and winter was approaching.  At the same time, FISALPINE.com approached me to be a “guest reporter” for the North American races.  I jumped at the opportunity to see my friends again and get some experience in a field that interested me.

Working for FIS

Working for FIS

Over Thansgiving weekend, I left school for two weeks, coached a camp, worked for FISALPINE.com, and then decided to jump into the noram races that were nearby.  With a complete lack of training I surprised myself and put together some pretty good runs!  This was probably the moment that I realized that training was not as important for me anymore as the importance of being mentally strong, happy, and willing to take a risk.  So much of my life over the past year had been a HUGE risk, starting with me retiring from the Canadian Ski Team after nine years.

My new goal for my new life was to put myself into situations that seemed scary and/or uncomfortable – because those were usually the times that turned out to be the most rewarding.  I had taken the initiative to realize that I needed to make some major changes in my life, and jumped right in –  even though it completely freaked me out!!

Since the Norams were so successful, I decided then and there that I would try to win the slalom Noram title.  The final three Norams I entered I won, and secured the title early in the season. With each race, including the numerous College races I entered, I gained more and more confidence in my skiing.  It had been a LONG time since I had competed at so many different levels, not just World Cup, and I was loving it.  To ANYBODY out there who is not completely ready to be full time World Cup, I definitely recommend skiing at the COllege level and having fun.  The points are good, the people are awesome, and the races are fun. After winning 14/20 of the slalom races I started, I decided that I would give the last World Cup race a shot.

Nor-Am Win!

Nor-Am Win!

Ofterschwang, Germany is a memorable place for me.  It’s where Erin won her first World Cup, and it’s where I had some of my first world cup points.  I wanted to go back, see the girls, and see where I really stood. Getting there was not easy.  Without support, getting to races is a hassle.  I booked a round-trip ticket using all of the airmiles I had left from Salt Lake City to Munich for 5 days.  I couldn’t afford to go any earlier with school and with lodging – so I basically just hoped that one day of skiing before the race would be enough.  I then also booked a rental car.  Since I was not part of the team, I had no one to pick me up or help me out. Although it was expensive, having a car gave me some European freedom I’d never previously had! It was awesome!  The other awesome part was that Marco came to watch me race.  The first run was a bit of a disaster and I barely qualified for the second run.  I refocused and relaxed.  The key was to be loose, be happy, and let it all go!  I did just that and WON the second run!  This was the achievement of a lifelong dream, to “make the winning runs DVD.”

 

Anna Goodman World Cup Winning Run 2013 – Oftershwang, Germany from anna goodman on Vimeo.

 

So happy with my second run!

So happy with my second run!

I was completely ecstatic, excited, elated…. The weekend was amazing and I knew at THAT point that I wanted to try to make the Olympic team for 2014.  Coming 15th at Oftershwang with a terrible run made me realize that getting two top 12 results next season was completely attainable.

Leaderbox in Ofterschwang!

Leaderbox in Ofterschwang!

I flew home, back to school, and back to Noram Finals and US Nationals.  I had an awesome week of free-skiing in Tahoe between races and ended up winning US Nationals!  It was my first time winning a national title and could not have been more perfectly timed.

US National Champion!

US National Champion!

The season ended on many happy and inspirational notes. I am now inspired to make it to the Olympics on my own.  My plan is the same as last summer: coach a lot and train a lot.  I need help making the whole plan work.  Any donations go towards TRAVEL and accommodation.  I plan to attend each world cup before the Olympics, and in order to do so I need money.  Anything helps whether it’s $20.00 or whatever amount you are comfortable with!  Any leftover money will go directly towards creating a scholarship/bursary for the Ski Sisterhood camp to help a young and deserving racer be able to attend our ski camp.