:: QuickChick ::

:: Monday, April 07, 2008 ::

Well, the 2007 - 08 season has been very strange so far. We’ve been plagued with bad weather, odd scheduling and a lot of crashes due to poor track conditions.

I had a good start to the season in Vars France. I began by winning several of the training runs. On the last training run we took however, I was in 4th place by .1 mph behind the 3rd place woman. Unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to get back on the podium because the race was terminated early due to horrible weather conditions.

The second race of the season, I was also skiing very well, however I was not able to complete the event. In training, I was skiing incredibly well, winning many of the runs. On my final training run of the day, I hit the compression really hard and I crashed into the fencing at 163 kph, or 100 mph, which was the fastest speed of the day. The track conditions were the worst I’ve seen them in Canada for years. There were brown patches on the snow on the track, several jumps and a huge deficit of snow at the end of the track in the timing area. After my crash, the track was closed and they re-groomed to try to avoid more crashes like mine the following day.

When I returned to NY after Canada, I saw my knee surgeon Dr. Allen at Hospital for Special Surgery. He was the guy that did such an amazing job on my ACL over the summer. My prognosis was that I tore my MCL at the femur. The good news is that I don’t have to have surgery again and I have to wear a brace for 8 weeks and do a lot of physical therapy.

Since I already purchased all of my flights for the rest of the tour, and they were restricted nonrefundable flights, I decided to follow the rest of the tour with the Swiss and US speed ski teams as a coach and wax technician. I’m very happy with this decision, although it was hard at the first race to be on the side lines. I am very happy that I’ve been able to continue to participate in speed skiing this year.

On a more positive note, I’m happy to say that I was able to participate in the overall team competition and the US took 2nd place in that category. In addition, if there was ever a season to miss, this was it. There have been 3 race cancellations due to lack of snow, and I don’t feel that I’ve altogether missed out on the competition this year.

I apologize to any sponsors and friends and family who have helped me out. Obviously I will not be able to acquire another World Cup Globe for you this year, but I promise that I will still continue to represent you on the highest level I can.

Next year in 2009, the FIS World Championships will take place in Vars France. The World Championship is an event that takes place every 2 years, just like in Alpine racing. My plan is to continue to train and work on my knee injury and be as strong as I can be before this epic event. I have almost a year to recover now, and I’m sure with your continued support I will be able to take a place on the podium in the World Championships next season.
Be Fast and Be Great!

Labels: April speed ski update 08

:: Tracie 2:45 AM [+] ::
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Custom Lasik Eye Surgery

I’m so happy to announce that Dr. Coad and Chelsea Eye Associates of lower Manhattan have sponsored me with Custom Lasik Eye Surgery. I have been a patient of Dr. Coad for many years and after my latest check up, his office contacted me to see if I would be interested in the surgery.

I was extremely interested and excited about the news of the sponsorship. I went right away for a consultation to see if I was a good candidate for the procedure. After several very technical exams, it was determined that I would be an excellent candidate for the surgery. For the operation to be done, I would have to be out of my contact lenses for 2 weeks. It was November first, so I scheduled my appointment for surgery with Dr. Coad on November 15th.

During those 2 weeks prior to the procedure, I had plenty of time to reflect and think about the many reasons that this surgery would be a positive action for me to take.

I thought of the things that I like about my glasses first. I enjoy them as a fashion accent. I thought how fun it has been over the years to pick out new frames, or even to resurrect old vintage frames. They are also somewhat protective. When I didn’t feel like wearing frames I could always switch to contact lenses. That was all I could come up with for the positive side of corrective lenses.

On the negative side, there were many things that came to mind. With my eye glasses, I was not able to train or partake in many sports comfortably. When I switched to contact lenses for sport, I often had problems with irritation and I wasn’t able to wear them for extended periods of time. As a five time World Cup Champion in Speed Skiing, it was impossible to race with glasses because of the type of helmet I wear. I was forced to wear contact lenses for both free skiing and racing. This was not comfortable either. I often ski at very high altitude, with that factor in addition to the speeds that I achieved which are well over 140 mph, I was having difficulty getting my contacts to stay in my eyes. I often felt them flutter during dangerous moments at the finish of a race, or even while skiing a difficult off piste run with friends. In addition to this both my contacts and glasses proved to be an annoyance during work as well. I work as a freelance metalsmith and art handler at the Guggenheim Museum and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Doing tedious metal work in environmentally controlled air conditioning was not easy with either types of corrective lenses. It was difficult to fit my safety goggles or glasses over my regular glasses, and my contacts often dried out in the humidity controlled environments. I also had a hard time installing art in some situations, having my glasses get caught on something or mush against a wall in tight quarters.

After going over all the pros and cons in my head, I decided that the wisest decision for me at this point in my career of speed skiing and in my life as an artisan would be to take advantage of the offer by Dr. Coad and Chelsea Eye to have the surgery. I was excited to have it as soon as possible and the timing could not have been better, 4 months prior to the height of the speed ski season.

The morning of the 15th of November I went to the laser center on 44th St., where Dr. Coad and Dr. Eviatar perform their Lasik Eye procedures. I had done some research on the web, and there was plenty of information at www.chelseaeye.com. Prior to the surgery I was well informed, and reassured by Dr. Coad and Alicia Adema and the rest of the team of technicians at Chelsea Eye. I was confident and ready for the procedure.

Like any other surgery, Lasik does have some risks. I decided that with the information that I received, my research, and the technical exams that I had, put me in a place where I could call the surgery a calculated risk. Many people see me as a huge risk taker with my speed skiing. The thing one has to realize is that I’m very good at what I do. Speed skiing is risky, but less so for me, than for the average skier. Dr. Coad has done thousands of these procedures and I really trusted that I was in the best hands possible for this surgery, therefore putting myself in a lower risk category.

The office, setting, environment, and atmosphere at the laser center were quite relaxing. I have sensitivity to pain killers, and it was advised to take a Xanax or Vicadin before the procedure. Dr. Coad said with my situation and ability to focus as an athlete, it would be fine to just take a Tylenol. If you do get nervous easily, I would suggest taking the stronger medication.

I was prepped for the procedure and went in to the operating room. I laid down on a comfortable recliner, and was covered with a thick, cozy chenille blanket. There were machines to the right and left of me, and I was given 2 silicone spheres to squeeze if I felt any tension. I admit that I got a little nervous for a moment, but I was quickly put at ease by Dr. Coad’s soothing tone and explanation of the procedure.

Dr. Coad started with the right eye. First he cut the corneal flap, then I experienced some darkness. It was slightly uncomfortable, but I had the spheres to squeeze. Then they swiveled the recliner to the machine on the left, where Dr. Coad marked the flap and used the laser to correct my vision. This took less than 20 seconds. I didn’t feel anything during this part because of the numbing drops. Then Dr. Coad replaced the corneal flap, smoothed out the air bubbles and began work on my left eye. This one was much easier for me and I was far more relaxed. I couldn’t believe how quickly it was over!

After the surgery, my vision was a little foggy, but not blurry. I could immediately see the difference in my vision. I left the office wearing dark sunglasses. My boyfriend drove me home. We found a parking space right in front of the apartment building (lucky), and I took a nap for about 4 hours. When I awoke, my vision was a little more clear. I used the antibiotic drops and the steroid drops to soothe the eyes.

I didn’t feel like cooking, so we went out for dinner. My first experience seeing only a few hours after surgery was amazing. I was like a kid in a candy shop for the first time. I could read all the street signs blocks away. I could read license plates, and signs across the restaurant. I kept checking with my boyfriend who has perfect vision what he could read as a test for my vision. After dinner we went to a book store and it was the ultimate post surgery test. I could read all the signs and locate everything I was looking for and it still wasn’t even 24 hours post surgery. It was really amazing!

It’s now been 2 weeks since the operation, and I’m seeing better than 20/20. I went skiing for the first time this season yesterday. I really felt like the Bionic Woman. As I wrote in my last blog, I had knee surgery 5 months ago. On my first few turns I was a bit hesitant. Seeing with my new vision was fantastic, and then leaning into my turns, carving with full pressure on my new ACL was fabulous. I had no pain, I began to accelerate and everything just snapped together. I felt awesome, empowered and free!

If you’ve ever thought about having Lasik eye surgery, you have to go for it. Life is short, you may as well enjoy seeing where your going. I can honestly say that Dr. Code and Chelsea Eye Associates have the best eye care in NY. I’ve been a patient there for almost 10 years and I would suggest going there for anything as simple as your annual check up to any more complicated procedures such as Lasik.

I can’t wait to speed ski, and see the Alps with my new vision!

:: Tracie 4:25 PM [+] ::
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KNEE SURGERY

As many of you already know, I had a bad crash while free skiing with friends back in March. I had already won the first 2 World Cup races, so I was pretty motivated to continue the season despite the fact that I knew I had a pretty bad knee injury. At the time I thought, along with the advice I got from several physical therapists and a physician that it was probably just the meniscus. We decided that if I had the muscle mass and strength to ski, get in my position, and stop with force, I could finish out the season. This is what I chose to do.

When I returned to NY, I went to a doctor to get a prescription for an MRI. He felt that I just needed more physical therapy, but I knew something was wrong and insisted on the MRI. The results of that test were that my ACL was completely gone. In addition I had some other sprains and a small fracture of the top plate of the tibia, as well as bone bruising.

After that diagnosis, I had to search for a surgeon. Fortunately I live in NYC and we have some of the best surgeons in the country. After interviewing several doctors, I found Dr. Answorth Allen at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Of all places, I found him on google under a top 10 search for ACL surgeons. I was very happy when I looked through his website www.answorthallenmd.com. After meeting with Dr. Allen, I knew that he was the best surgeon I could find. He was confident, intelligent, and eager to help me. He also assured me that he had one of the best surgical teams available. He really instilled confidence in me that I would have a full recovery after the surgery and I would be able to ski, and race again this season.

I needed a full ACL replacement. Dr. Allen suggested the Allograft procedure for me. This involved using an Achiles Tendon from a donor as my new ACL. I was completely fine with this. I actually didn’t know that they used tendons from donors. This made me think of my friend Cait who saved 4 lives by donating her organs after her untimely death. I hope that my new ACL came from someone as special as she was.

I had my surgery on Friday, June 22. I went back to work the following Monday, and started physical therapy at Professional (www.professionalpt.com) on Tuesday. The most difficult thing at that time was sleeping with the brace on. It was huge and uncomfortable, going from my inseam to my ankle. I was off my crutches and out of my brace as soon as I could be.

Flash forward to 5 months post surgery - I finished my physical therapy (according to my insurance). I still have a lot of work to do to get to 100%. I’m feeling very strong and I’m starting to do lateral movement with force, jumps, squats, cycling, and weight lifting. I’m going to have my first day on skis this coming weekend at Hunter Mountain. I’m really looking forward to building my confidence on skis again. Although I don’t think this will be too difficult as I already raced more than half a season last year with no ACL. I should have much more strength and confidence in my knee this season.
I’m looking forward to skiing faster than ever!

:: Tracie 11:58 AM [+] ::
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Death of a sister in speed.

My last blog was written on April 13, 2007. This was the birthday of my dear friend Caitlin Tovar. I had an amazing time that day in Les Arcs, France. I celebrated my globe, and Caitlin's 32nd birthday and her personal record of 202, this was also the new British Women's speed record. We were so happy and we were really feeling on top of the world. Caitlin bought so much champaign and she kept picking me up and spinning me around in the air. It was fabulous! We were young, and bright, full of life. For a Friday the 13th, it was absolutely spectacular. It's a day I'll never forget.

The next day Saturday the 14th, the race was postponed due to bad weather. On Sunday April 15th, we awoke to a glorious and sunny day. Everything looked perfect for setting new records and skiing very fast. The first 3 male forerunners were skiing at speeds over 225 kph. That's about 140 mph. The first 10 men then followed with top speeds reaching 239. This was incredible and unheard of! No one had ever been that fast from that low on the track.

As usual the top women were to start after the top 10 men. We were all anxious and excited because we knew that some of us would achieve new personal records on this run, and the next run would surely be a world record attempt.

The first woman to head to the start was Caitlin. She was going to be a female forerunner because her speed of 202 did not qualify her for the cut. This meant that she would be starting from a lower, slower point on the track. Caitlin was a solid skier and a very strong woman. I had been helping her throughout the season with her starts and giving her tips on her position. She was a quick learner and progressed naturally in the sport. She was born for speed, and she found her calling and followed her heart. Caitlin even moved to the Alps to follow her dreams. She was going to do the full tour in 2008.

Cait asked me to watch her start as usual. She was still working on her position. This is tough for all women as we are smaller than the men and we use the same ski equipment. It's difficult for us to start from a sideways position on the track, and quickly get the 8 foot or 240 cm skis pointing downhill.

I was watching Cait closely as she carefully stepped down to the lower starting point. She crossed the track and began to get in her position. She accidentally sat back a little. I was nervous, but then she seemed to recover, but then fell back once again. Cait then slid back into the netting, at which point her skis released. I was very scared and immediately with other racers screamed for people to help her, or grab her. Then, the unthinkable happened. She slid through the netting. Caitlin only had her rubber speed ski suit on, and her speed helmet. She was sliding without friction, going faster and faster. It was horrific! All of the speed skiers at the top of the track were screaming. At moments it looked like she would stop, only to gain speed again and continue to fall over 900 meters through a rocky mogul field to the bottom of the piste.

After she was stabilized by the medical team, Caitlin was evacuated by helicopter to an excellent hospital in Grenoble France. That night and into the next day, she had several operations to remove blood clots that formed in her brain. Her body was otherwise fine, but the condition to her head was severe. Two days after her accident, Caitlin died of severe head trauma.

I apologize for being so graphic, but this memory I have described does not even come close to what those of us who experienced it actually went through. I also apologize to Caitlin's family for being unable to attend the celebration of Cait's life in England this fall. I know how difficult it has been for me to deal with the untimely death of my true friend and sister in speed. I can't even imagine what the Tovar family has had to endure.

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know Caitlin Tovar. She always made me feel special, and at home, and full of life. Her personality was infectious. She was brilliant in so many ways. Cait spoke English, French, Italian, and German. She was an amazing communicator and she always included everyone around her in her life. She always seemed happy, but not in annoying cheerleader kind of way. She was witty and sharp, but she never said a bad thing about another person. She was eager to learn about speed skiing. She embraced the sport and it's athletes. She quickly became a part of the speed ski family. Cait wanted to go faster more than anything and no one was going to stop her. She had real drive and she was a force to be reckoned with. She really made my whole season more fun and spectacular that most I can remember.

It has been difficult, but I'm glad that I'm finally able to write and talk about Cait's death. Although I sit in front of my computer in tears as I write this. I know she would be mad at me for crying about her. I know she would want me and the rest of the speed ski crew to keep chasing our dreams of being the fastest.

So for Caitlin, I'll keep trying. I'll keep going for the gold, and trying to break records.

:: Tracie 8:12 PM [+] ::
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The World Cup Finals were just completed in Cervinia Italy on Monday
April 2nd. This season we had a series of 8 World Cup races. The
World Cup Tour took us to Austria, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Italy.

I had a great beginning of the season winning the first two World Cups
in Austria and Canada. After a bad crash while free skiing in
Verbier, things took a different turn. I overextended the exterior
ligament in my left knee, as well as damaging the meniscus. In
addition I had a hairline fracture in my upper rib cage. I
immediately went to a physical therapist after the accident, with only
a week to recover before the next race in Sweden. I really wasn't
sure I would be able to race at all.

After flying to Sweden, I gave it my best shot at the race in
Hundfjallet. I was skiing quite well, but I think the fatigue got the
better of me by the end of the race. I ended up in 5th place. I was
just happy to be speed skiing again, and I was satisfied with my
finish. I continued in Sweden at the next event in Idre. I started
to feel better and was more comfortable on the steep track with no
compression. I placed second there.

After a 5 hour drive and another flight to Northern Finland on the
Russian border, I arrived to race in Salla for two World Cup events.
In the first race, I was winning in all of the training runs and semi
finals. I think the fatigue got the better of me again, I lost focus
in the final and ended up in 2nd place. In the second race, I was
feeling better and I won the semi final as well as the final. This
put me in the lead of the overall World Cup title by only 3 points.

After 4 more international flights to get back to the Alps, I had 1
day to prepare for the World Cup Finals in Cervinia Italy. I was
quite confident going into the race. I have won there several times
before and I am usually very comfortable on that track. I knew in
order to win the globe I only had to beat one woman, Anna-Karine Modin
of Sweden, who was only 3 points behind me. I proved to be the woman
to beat in the finals. I was 3 kph faster than the 2nd place woman
Emilie Wolff. I also finished 4th in the men's speeds. It was my
sweetest World Cup victory yet. I went from a lead of only 3 points
ahead to 18 points ahead of the hot young Swedish racer Anna-Korine
Modin. My final points were 165, Anna-Korine had 147 in 2nd, and
Sanna Tinstrand had 100 for 3rd place. I'm am extremely happy with my
5th consecutive World Cup Champion Title.

The season isn't over yet! We still have 4 more races, which will
hopefully be at very high speeds. We start in Les Arcs France with
the Red Rock Cup, one of the longest running races in the history of
speed skiing. We continue in Les Arcs with the first of the Speed
Masters series. This race has the potential of being a World Record
breaking race. After a week in Les Arcs, we head over to Verbier
Switzerland which will host the 2007 FIS World Championships. This
should be a great race and the first time since the 92 Olympics that
FIS will allow us to go over the current 200 kph speed limit for FIS
races. As the reigning World Champion from 2005, I hope to ski well
and retain my title. The final race will also be in Verbier and it
will be the Swiss counterpart to the Speed Masters event. There will
be an overall title for the combined Speed Masters Race - (Pro World
Champion).

I'm still looking for media coverage and sponsorship to help finish
out my season. I don't have a ticket back to the US yet and my funds
are quickly diminishing with all of the travel expenses that I have
incurred this season. If you are interested in lending a hand, please
send me an email. I really appreciate your support.
Sincerely,

Tracie Max Sachs

:: Tracie 8:43 AM [+] ::
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It has been a great start to the season so far. Although there hasn’t been much snow in Europe, the Speed Ski World Cup Tour was able to commence in Kulm, Badmittendorf Austria the weekend of February 23rd.
The race took place on the longest natural ski flying hill in the world. Despite the spring weather and lack of snow in all of the surrounding areas, Andy Nemetz and his race crew were able to truck snow in to Bad Mittendorf and pack the track with enough coverage to host the race. Surprisingly the track conditions were quite good, even with the huge compression and the short run out. It was a very technical course and the speeds were very tight between the top men and women.

I was skiing very well and I was in 2nd place for the semifinal. I felt very good before the final and I had a fantastic run and came in first place followed by Anna-Korin Modin of Sweden and Charlotte Barr of France.

Just after the World Cup in Austria, all the racers got on a plane and headed to western Canada for 2 more World Cups and a pro race. The 9 hour time difference proved not to be much of a factor, as the racers were very competitive again. I was skiing very well, on this track that I have learned to like in the past few years. I came in first place in the first World Cup, followed by, Anna-Korin in 2nd, and Canadian Teria Davies in 3rd.

The second Canadian race was a difficult one to pull off. With horrible weather conditions and high winds, we were left with only a half hour window of sunshine. The women’s podium was switched around a little bit with Anna Korin in 1st, Teria in 2nd and myself in 3rd. It was a bit difficult for me because the race started about half way down the track. I had gotten used to racing from the top and I wasn’t able to adapt to such a short run. I guess you can’t win them all right?

These results left me in a tie with Anna - Korin for the lead for the overall points of the World Cup. In the pro race on Sunday I placed 1st with a lead of more than 2 kph over Anna and Teria. My speed was good enough to make 7th place of the men’s speeds. I was very happy with my performance and I really enjoyed the end of the races in Sun Peaks.

Because of the postponement of a pro race in Les Arcs France, I have a few days to relax and prepare for the upcoming races in Scandinavia. We have 2 World Cups in Sweden and then 2 World Cups in Finland. They will be followed by the World Cup finals in Italy. I am hoping the weather will be good for all of the events and that my travel itinerary goes according to plan.

Unfortunately today, I had a very bad crash while freeskiing in Verbier. I’m all bruised up and my helmet did it’s job, although it did fly off after the first impact. I think I’ll be OK for the races, but it will take a week off my feet to see what will be best for me.

Be Fast and Be Great -
Tracie Max Sachs

:: Tracie 1:27 PM [+] ::
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Best speed ski day of my life!

The speed ski season has come to an end and I’m am very excited to announce that not only did I break my personal record, I broke the American women’s record, and I also won the overall World Cup Globe for the 4th consecutive year!

At the Pro Mondial in Les Arcs France, I was skiing very well. On the second day of the race, I broke my personal record by one kilometer an hour. Going in to the finals, my new personal best speed was 228.85 km/ h. The night before the finals, I was a bit nervous and I was really hoping the conditions would be good so that I could attempt to break the American women’s record of 131.66 set by Caroline Curl in 1997. I had the best run of my life so far, and I was shocked to see the speed on the chronometer marked at 238.57 km/h. That’s 148.27 mph!!! I now have the 3rd fastest speed in the history of women’s skiing, behind Karine Dubachet and new women’s record holder Sanna Tidstrand.

The men’s world record was also broken at this race, by Simone Origone who skied 251 km/h. There were also 3 other men who skied over 250 km/h including, Philippe May, Jonathan Moret, and Ivan Origone.

At the FIS World Cup Finals in Verbier, I came in second place and earned enough points to win the overall FIS World Cup Championships for the 4th consecutive season. I’m so happy with my performance this year, and I’m already looking forward to next season.

Each year it gets more difficult to find sponsors, and press coverage, so if you have any connections in the media, please share my story with them. I appreciate your support!

Be Fast and Be Great!

:: Tracie 2:52 AM [+] ::
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