we drove from Sweden to Ruka finland yesterday on some sketchy snow packed roads but after about 6 hours of driving we made it here for the Nordic Opening weekend. This is one of my favorite events of the year, not only because its the first sprint of the season, but because it’s one of the biggest word cup weekends of the year. that’s because it’s one of the few times a year when jumping, nordic combined, and cross country are all together at the same venue. It makes for a lot of action, a lot of spectators, and a lot of media running around. I like it when we can bring everyone together because when Nordic combined is here with us we go from one of the smallest teams on the world cup, to a good size crew. Not only are we a good sized crew, but a crew that can get some wicked results here in kuusamo. I think last year Jonny was on the podium and Billy D was too. It definitely adds to the stoke of the group when we have people on the podium on a world cup weekend, and you can see it reflected in the way everyone else races. All of a sudden everyone is frothing for the chance to get out there and prove themselves. 

Today was an easy day of skiing for me, and then tomorrow we will start with some ski testing and our pre race routines. The conditions are usually pretty stable and cold here in Kuusamo so the waxing should be no problem, but there is also a new sprint course here this year so we will have to take some time checking that out tomorrow too. here we go!! 

our trail side crib. pretty nice condo’s here. those are lighted mogul runs outside our window. 

the resort town or Ruka

Everyone is together here in Kussamo. The outrun of the big ski jump literally runs into the xc stadium. 

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