Congrats on the win last weekend.
Thanks. The weather wasn't the greatest to compete in and we only got one run in finals but I'm stoked to have put down a clean run and come away with the win. Everything is feeling good and I'm excited for slopestyle. It was a great confidence booster.
You're back on snow. What have you been up to this summer?
In May, I had camp with the U.S. Ski Team in Mammoth so I was hitting basic rails and small jumps. I was in Whistler for all of July -- I spent the first two weeks at Momentum Ski Camp for halfpipe training and then went to Camp of Champions for slope training. I got all of my tricks back, everything's feeling good.
How was this injury different from the rest?
This is the first injury that took me out for more than a week. It sucked. I'm not a patient person, and for this one I definitely did some sitting. I was non-weight bearing for two months. I chilled on my couch with the CPM machine moving my knee 90 degrees and back for seven hours a day. I was no impact for the first six months. I couldn't even jump off a curb
Did you have doubts during your recovery?
I'm still young. There are people out there who have gone through four ACLs, so I knew that I'd get back at it. It was just a matter of time and doing the process the right way. I didn't rush even though I wanted to be jumping at three months and skiing hard at six. I knew I needed to calm down.
How was rehabbing with the U.S. Ski Team in Park City?
The Center of Excellence is amazing. Usually if you hurt yourself, there's PT three times a week, but I was in there five days a week for five hours a day -- even on the weekends sometimes. I had my PT's phone number, so if I needed anything I could text him. If I wasn't in Park City, I probably would have slacked way more and it would have taken longer to come back.
What are you thinking for this season?
I'm trying to pick up where I left off. I joke that I took the year off to give the girls a chance, but now that I'm back, things are going to start being different.
The Olympics are coming up. Are they on the radar?
It's always in the back of your mind. Everyone is talking about it. But at the same time it's still months away and there are so many things between now and then. In my mind there are a bunch of stepping stones -- the World Cups in New Zealand, the Grand Prix for qualifying, and then it's the Olympics. It's hit me but it hasn't truly hit until I get named to the team.
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