I hope that everyone has had a great start to the new year!  

I'm currently in Switzerland.  I've been doing physical therapy, training and gaining my strength back in my left knee which was re-injured this summer.  Unfortunately, I tore my MCL again and I've had chronic pain.

I was in the same position at this time last year and I was able to recover by mid-season.  I participated in 4 of the 8 races last year and still managed to come in the 3rd place in the overall World Cup Podium.  I was quite happy with this result.

I'm hoping that I will be able to perform to the best of my ability when I'm ready to race, which I predict will be this March.  

In the mean time, I will be a wax technician for Philippe May, as well as coach for him and the Swiss and American Speed Ski Teams.  

I look forward to posting some good news throughout the season.

Stay Fast!

Hi there,

I hope you are doing well and that you had a great season!

As you know at the beginning of the season I was still suffering pain from a torn MCL in addition to continuing to recover from a torn ACL and surgery in the same knee from the previous season.  Because of this, I was unable to participate in the World Championships in France in January.  I also chose not to race in Canada and Sweden where I have crashed several times in past years.  I simply did not want to risk re-injuring myself during my recovery.  

This actually gave me time to focus on working as a wax technician for Philippe May.  I also was able to work as a coach and manager for the Swiss Speed Ski team.  I'm very proud that Philippe ended up in 2nd place overall in the FIS World Cup series, as well as 2nd in the World Championships in France, and 2nd in the Speed Masters in Verbier.

While working as a wax technician and coach was very exciting for me, I was missing the racing myself.  In mid March I chose to participate in my first event of the season in Finland.  I competed in two World Cup events in Salla Finland, which is all the way up by the Russian border.  Despite, extremely cold temperatures and high winds, I raced well, and took 3rd in both races.  

After Finland, I returned to the Alps to continue my training, and await for the Speed Master week at the end of April.  I was working as a volunteer for the event and participated in the open race the weekend before the World Cup as part of my training.  My knee felt very strong, and the track was in perfect condition, so I chose to race in the 2 World Cups in Verbier on the infamous Mont Fort track.

To my surprise, I was skiing extremely well.  I was second place in every run, and finished both races in 2nd place too.  Despite the fact that I only raced in 4 out of 8 races this season, I earned enough points to place 3rd in the overall FIS World Cup rankings this season!  I'm very proud of my performance, and it just goes to show you that patience really is a virtue and that good things do come to those who wait.  I think racing with my head this year, as oppose to my heart really paid off.  It was a successful season, and I'm feeling really good both mentally and physically.  

I'm so happy that in this 10 year anniversary of my speed skiing career, I'm still able to make it onto the podium in every event I race in.  I just wanted to thank you for your continued support and I hope to continue to represent you, in a positive light.

Be Fast and Be Great!

 - Tracie

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!

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!

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!