As for me, 2009 did not start as intended… I hurt my knee on the 30th December and I had to stop all sport activities for 10 days. Luckily the doctor said that nothing was severely hurt – I am riding again since a week now and it should be fine for Russia. On top of that, the current hard snow conditions are perfect for an intensive training

Talking about Russia, I am starting to get quite excited for the journey! A few more riding days in Verbier and it will be time to pack my stuff. I wonder what will happen this year. I can’t help smiling at the memory from last year of Andre Sommer getting caught by the police outside the airport because he needed to take a leak and the toilets were shut. Typical Russian specialty.

See you there…if I can hold my natural needs…

I caught up with snow for the first time in Andermatt - in November. It is an early season opening that I will remember: huge powder and sun. The best side is that it seems to have set a standard. My ten following snowboarding days in Valais were all – plus or minus a few tracks - followed the same guideline. Let’s hope that the 09′ Freeride World Tour edition gets the same!

Although I was busy working in Zurich until last Friday, I managed to prepare not only myself physically but also all the paperwork for the FWT. I will fly to Sochi with N. Pasquier and R. Bullet. The tougher part of the preparation remains, by far, getting the Visa for Russia. Okay, I have to admit that I haven’t applied for he US one yet… It is amazing how complicated they managed to render the application process. It is like telling people: ‘Please do not visit our country’. Nevertheless, the Caucasus Mountains are amazing and I am already excited to go back there, stuck between the Georgian, Russian and Chechen people.

Until then, I will continue training in les Quatre Vallées (see picture, top of Mont Gelé), spend Christmas in Sweden with my family in law and share a few pints with the local FWT riders.

Cheers!

I’m busy on the slopes, but I’ll send some info soon…