My Olympic Story

Sorry it has been a long time between posts. It has been an exciting few weeks since my event in the Olympics, and now I have the time to digest and give you a run down on how things went.

I just want to start off by saying thank you to everyone for all your supportive messages and for following my journey to and throughout the Olympics. It has probably been the most "up and down" few weeks of my life, and I really appreciate all the thoughts and well wishes. It is certainly not lost on me.

(At the Press Centre in Vancouver. Photo: Steve Cuff)

My preparation hit yet another hurdle while training for the event. On the first run of the last training day before the event, I crashed while pulling out of the line, being cautious of my knee. It wasn't a bad crash by any means, but I fell awkwardly onto my elbow, and subsequently separated the AC joint in my shoulder. What can I say... When you're on a roll... You are on roll!

We had a day off between the last training day and the event, while the women's competition was run. I was supposed to march in the Opening Ceremony, but with my body the way it was, I couldn't really spend a couple of hours on my feet and away from ice. I was getting injections of cortisone and local anaesthetic in my shoulder and found that it functioned quite well with the pain relief.

(The Course on Competition Day)

We were blessed with some great weather the day of competition - something the women did not experience the day earlier. It was a warm 5 - 10 degrees, and with the torrential rain the night before the snow was wet, slushy and without any hard base. With my knee taped and braced and my shoulder taped and injected, the training went well, and I was able to hit the jumps and train my tricks for the first time. I snuck in 3 runs in the short amount of training time. The most I had done since I blew my knee 4 weeks earlier. It was intimidating hitting the bottom air with a D-spin for the first time. Normally with a lot of time off snow, I have maybe a slight bit of apprehension, but when doing it for the first time, trying to land on my knee the way it was... I wasn't sure which way it would go.

(Training prior to competition)

Standing at the top, the crowd was huge. The cool thing about moguls is that the crowd can see the whole event from top to bottom. As an athlete, if you lift your eyes from the mogul line it is just a sea of coloured dots 250m down the from the start gate.

(Sami and Dani in the crowd with a killer sign)

(Mum, Dad and Jemaine being interviewed in the crowd)

I was fairly disappointed with my run, and missing out on the finals. I skied slow, and my jumps were not big enough. I made mistakes in the middle section, and at the Olympic level... You cannot make mistakes. I scored somewhere in the 21 points and finished a disappointing 27th.

(Skiing through the middle)

(Jumping the bottom Air)

I am proud of my achievement to make the Olympics, and at the end of the day given the circumstances that was probably the best run I could have managed. It's hard to enter an event, especially one you have been training towards for a very long time, stand at the start gate and feel like you can not show your full ability or potential.

(Waiting for the scores to come in)

After my run, I had to wind my way through the maze filled by media, officials and fans and once getting to the end with a chance to finally digest and think about what had just happened, I got snapped up by the pee-testing guys and had to go pee in a cup.

(With Shirvo at the bottom after my run)

The finals were exciting. The crowd was massive and probably 99% canadian. There were a lot of mistakes in the finals, with guys giving it everything and the snow conditions very catchy and changing all the time. In the end it was Alex Bilodeau from Canada who took home the Gold in front of my team-mate Dale, and Bryon Wilson from the U.S.

(Mens Podium)

The Day after the event, we had to move from the West -Vancouver "sub-site" back into the Vancouver Village. Feeling extremely hung-over from the big night celebrating after the event and surviving on barely any sleep it was no fun task. The Village was great. I had my own two bedroom apartment looking over the water and downtown Vancouver for the first week. The second week Scotty Kneller from Skier-X moved in with me.

(View From My Balcony)

With two weeks of the Games left after my event, I tried to make the most of the experience and see as many events as possible. My family were in Vancouver for another few days after my event, so I showed them around the village and hung out with them amidst the madness in downtown. I saw 4 men's hockey games, the finals of the short track speed skating, men's and women's half pipe finals where I saw Torah win Gold, Skier-X where Scotty Kneller finished 7th, men's super G in Whistler, and a few others. With the athlete accreditation you could go and watch any outdoor events, and apply for tickets to the indoor venues.

(Russia V Latvia)

(Torah winning Gold)

(Mens Super G)

(Scotty Kneller at the Skier-X)

(Shawn White winning back to back Golds)

(Short-Track speed skating stadium)

The nightlife and atmosphere in the city was madness. There were different "houses" set up all over the city, where as an athlete you were treated with free entry and free booze. The highlights were the Molson Canadian Hockey house, the Budweiser House and the free 24/7 maccas at 5am in the village after each night out.

(Stealing Lydia's Gold medal for a minute)

(With Patto, Jacqui Cooper and Johhny Weir at the Bud House)

There was an athlete lounge (dry bar) set up in the Village with video games, pool tables, table curling, projectors, vitamin water bar and live music every day from 2pm until 10pm. It was fun to sit in there and watch the events on the screen with live music in the background.

 

(Athletes Lounge)

We got to go an check out the Vancouver aquarium and had special access to play with the Beluga Whales and the Dolphins. It was awesome, and everyone around was obviously jealous we were treated to the experience.

(At the Vancouver Aquarium)

(Patting the Beluga Whale)

(Hanging out with the Dolphins)

On the last day of the Games I was lucky to get a last minute ticket to the Gold Medal hockey match between the U.S and Canada. It was much hyped and the whole country stood still while the game was being played out. It was a sea of Canadian shirts, pride and chants in the stadium... And luckily Canada came through with the gold in extra time. I would hate to think what would happen if they did not beat the U.S and win gold.

(At the Hockey with Scotty and Scotty)

(Canadian Pride)

After the hockey we were assembled at BC place for the Closing ceremony. Everyone was pretty relaxed and excited that it was all over. I was a little disappointed, as I was having such a great time, and wished that I could relive my event again and put down a better performance. I guess that all gets churned up and provides a little fire in the belly to go another 4 years to another Olympic Games.

(Closing ceremony team)

The Closing ceremony was fun, and stacked with an all Canadian line up. It was cool to see Neil Young come out and play and feel the anticipation for the Sochi Olympics in 4 years. The crowd was packed with 60,000 people there to farewell the athletes and celebrate the end of the games. It was fun to be at the centre of all the action.

(Marching out)

(Lyd waving the flag)

(Flame about to be extinguished)

(Me and Bud in our goofy hats)

The next day we all packed up and went our separate ways. Some were going back to compete in the final World Cup events of the season, some were going home to relax and go to school, and some (me and Jenny Owens) were going back for Surgery.

(A couple of days post surgery)

After being held up in San Francisco for 24 hours I made it home on March 3rd. I went in for Surgery last Tuesday and had a PCL Reconstruction (with a hamstring graft) and a Lateral Meniscectomy. The surgery went well, and my surgeon was very happy. I was quite sore after, and have been in a bit of pain for the past 5 days. At the moment, I am confined to being in a splint and will be for the next month. It makes it difficult to get around and to begin rehab, but it is all part of it.

(A couple more days post surgery, with bruising starting to come through)

Once I can drive, I will move up to Uni in Canberra and begin my Studies in Sports Science and Sports Management. My rehab will continue for several months and I hope to be back on snow and begin light skiing in 6 months time.

Thank you to everyone for all you support.

The First Days Of Training

Over the last few days we have begun official training on the Olympic course. The first day I was a little nervous. It was "test" day. Will the knee work, or will it fold up like a cheap lawn chair in Hawaii. Turns out, that it does work and without pushing it too hard yet it works better than I expected.

(Getting some range into the knee)

(Warming up in the West Van sub-site)

(Trying on my new knee brace)

There has been a lot of talk about the conditions and the lack of snow up on Cypress Mountain, so driving up to the mountain for the first time, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Turns out "they" were right. There is basically no snow. However, the course was pearly white sticking out in contrast to the brown surroundings. 

(Riding the chair, with barely any snow in sight)

(Catching the sleds to the chairlift)

The course is in great shape. Similar to last year and everything is as you would expect, exact with the specifications. A constant 28 degree pitch and 250 metres long. The snow however, is a little strange and kind of resembles sand. It's like, once upon a time it was slushy, and then with the sky opening up it has dried right up and left a layer of mini ice balls on top of a firm base. 

(The Cypress Freestyle Arena)

The first day of training I took it very cautiously and just did a few half sections of moguls and no jumps. My coaches were happy with that, and (like me) were surprised and relieved that my knee works and I can ski. On the second day of training, I stepped up with a little more intensity and skied some full sections with a bit more speed and hit both the top and bottom jumps, just with straight airs.

(Chopper bringing in more snow over the mogul course)

It was strange approaching the course for the first time. When looking at and inspecting the different elements of the course you get a clear picture in your head of what you want to do, and how you will go about certain things. I liked the course on first inspection and had a good idea about how I would approach it, but before I pushed out of the start gate I was like "oh yeah, thats right... I have this freaking knee to worry about". It's hard to get that out of your mind, and ski the course like you normally would, but with the sport being so dynamic, physical and technical, if you approach it with any apprehension or being overly conservative you risk further injury and really don't stand a chance.

(Mogul Course from the top)

I had the day off today, just focussing on more rehab and making sure I am not taking any steps in the wrong direction. I will train again tomorrow, and the next day with a focus on trying to bring some tricks in off the jumps, and increase the speed and the overall length of the sections I am skiing. My goal is to show up to the start gate on the 14th in the best health possible and if that means with minimal preparation over the next few days, then it is just something I am going to have to deal with.

(Ready to start training)

I am planning to walk in the opening ceremony on Friday night, as I won't be able to attend the flag raising ceremony and team reception tomorrow night due to a clash with our training schedule. So, I will have more photos up soon. You can also check my picasa page where I have an Olympics album.

(Britt and I in the Athlete Village)

Thanks for your interest and support.

Ramone

Arriving to Vancouver 2010

So, it is all real now. I am in Vancouver, checked into the athlete's village, picked up all my uniform and had my first press conference.

I successfully completed the AOC medical assessment last week and earned my spot back on the team. The testing was a little different and more difficult than I expected. Instead of meeting a certain score or criteria - each test was based on the relative strength in the other knee. I needed to achieve a minimum score of 80% in my bad knee with showing promise to achieve 92%.

The test involved a physio screening, doctors screening and the physical tests which were then compiled to give a score out of 100. I scored a 92%. Only just over 2 weeks from the date of the injury, scoring that high on the tests surprised the medical staff, and also myself. There was a hoping test, a lateral hop test, balance test, running agility course test and a 3RM leg press (all single leg). In the leg press I pushed 3 times my body on my bad knee - more than enough to satisfy the test. I was thrilled and relieved to have passed the exam and I finished off my stay at the AIS in the same fashion as it begun - rehab, rehab and more rehab.

(Me, Mel, Matt at the UDC)

My flight over to Vancouver yesterday was great. I was relieved to get on the plane and just "relax" for 14 hours. Using an upgrade certificate to get business class helped! When I arrived in Vancouver, the Olympic vibe was definitely all around. There were billboards, flags, merchandise and volunteers everywhere. I picked up my accreditation and headed into Richmond to the uniform distribution centre. I have never been a fan of wearing uniform, but the Olympics are different. The uniform has meaning and shows pride in your nation. It represents all the hard work in order to get to this point, and everyone who has contributed along the way. And, the uniform is awesome. There is so much variety in styles, colours and purpose. We were given 2 over-flowing suitcases packed full of Olympic uniform.

(Britt, Sophie, Me at the Broadcast centre)

After the uniform fitting, and a few interviews with the Australian media I was taken to the athletes village. The village is right on the water in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Driving through the city, the buzz was incredible. People everywhere, and always a sea of Olympic rings, Vancouver 2010 art and blue jacket volunteers. There is tight security getting into the village, with all athletes and every bag being screened, just as you would expect to see in an airport.

The first thing you see when you walk past security and into the village, is the massive 7m x 7m Australian boxing kangaroo flag. It a hot topic at the moment, with the VANOC wanting to have it removed, while all the athletes and volunteers think its the best thing ever. The apartment blocks have just been built and after our short stay during the Olympics, will be sold off to private owners for top dollar. From all reports, this is the best athletes village anyone has seen. Inside the village there is everything you could ever need. The mess hall has its own free 24/7 Mcdonalds, and cuisine from all over the world.

(View of the city from our balcony)

(The controversial flag hanging from our balcony)

(The first thing you see walking into the village)

(Free Maccas in the dining hall open all day everyday)

Today Britt and I went to our first press conference of the games. There was a lot attention with Britt being our youngest Winter Olympian in a billion years and me, making an unexpected recovery from injury. Britt was very surprising and spoke well in front of all the cameras. I'm really happy that we are represented in these Olympics in female moguls, with it surely having an impact on participation and success in the future. Britteny is certainly shocked by it all, but there couldn't be a better role model for other girls than Britt.

(Sooo cliche'... except for the moe)

(Press conference clip)

This afternoon, we checked out of the athletes village and moved into the "sub-site" in West Vancouver. The AOC have rented a number of house here, with close proximity to Cypress Mountain and with great facilities. The houses are super nice, and we have two live in chefs who will cook what ever you ask for, gym and recovery equipment, physios and the whole works.

(Cool seating area in the athletes lounge)

This afternoon I got back onto the rehab, gym program with my knee pulling up very well after the long flight. Tomorrow I will begin to ramp up the intensity and get back into on snow training on Monday.

Lots going on here, and a lot to write about... Will check in again in a couple of days.

Ramone

P.S
Here are a few recent press clips.

Cooper to visit his old school

Remarkable Recovery – Owens and Cooper to compete

Ski star defies doctors

Moguls man's miracle recovery

Aussie moguls skier Ramone Cooper's Olympic dream hanging by a thread