When I awoke on Saturday morning I could see the sun was cresting over the peak of the mountains, there was no wind, and I just had a feeling it was going to be a great day. I made my breakfast as usual, eggs, toast, avocado, tomatoes and a superfood smoothe, visualized some and stretched. I was ready for game time.
The pipe looked great, dressed with all its fences, banners and blue dye lines, with a perfect shape to it. I was really in the ‘zone’ dropping in for practice. I only needed three runs to get comfortable and ready to be judged. I had two smooth runs which landed me in eighth place. Roberto didn’t say anything to me, but I was relieved when I heard “Katie Tsuyuki made it to finals” after my last run. I was pumped but I knew there was more to come.
 |
| A couple of the other Canadians, Harrison Gray and Sarah Conrad |
The whole day passed before the women went, and although in final’s practice my board was fast, when we finally dropped in for our one practice run after men’s finals, I could feel my board sticking to the right wall. The sun had been baking that wall all day! I had a feeling this wasn’t good.
No matter how much brushing I did to my board there was just no wax left in the base and white patches were showing though. Oh no!! I had no choice but to roll with it. I threw my run as best as I could, but it just looked off balanced, with one side of the pipe having more amplitude than the other. I was unable to better my placing. Still at the end of my runs I pulled up my goggles, smiled for the camera, and waved to the crowed. Can’t let them know about my disappointment…I wanted to be the best sports woman I could be!
As soon as I could leave the bottom of the pipe I had to make a break to where I was staying to get things in order before leaving. It was already three-thirty and my flight out of Reno, a three hour drive away, was at eight-twenty. I had to take a very quick shower, pack, and gas up and I was on the road an hour later. I was traveling to the US Open.
I just made it into Renowith enough time to check my bags; it was going to be a long night ahead of me. I flew from Reno to San Francisco then a red eye to Newarkon to Albanyand finally a two hour drive to Stratton. Twenty hours of travel…it’s almost less to New Zealand! Not to mention when I got off the flight to Newark it was by birthday! For the day I did have a great Thai lunch with my friends and a celebratory martini.
When I arrived in Stratton, still my Birthday, I spent the day and night sending Birthday wish thank yous to everyone who sent me a message. I thought it was a good time to ask for them to ‘like’ my fresh Athlete Page on Facebook, it took me hours to send a hundred and thirty messages, and then some, to everyone, but I felt great after. By the way, thanks to everyone who liked my page <3
Today was the only day of practice for the US Open and I was so tired from all the travel and work the day before. When I arrived at practice I felt as thought I was in another world. I decided, after I couldn’t do my run, that I would go home and nap during the break. This was a great idea because I came back charging with half full batteries instead of empty! I landed my run a bunch of times then headed home to get some rest and more work done. Tomorrow I have qualifiers and have to perform. So lots of rest tonight, good food, and then it’s back to wearing my game face. This in one of my favourite contests, so I am excited for it!
/
