Elated, is the first word that comes to mind when I think of our new team’s launch. It is so exciting to work hard for something and see it pay off. We all have been snowboarding for many years and yes we’ve had some help along the way, but to come together and create something of our own, from scratch, and see it become a reality is, well… elating!
Being very new to snowboard racing, when I was about 17 years old, I had the opportunity to train with Rob Roy, and his pro team at the time, at my local mountain, Okemo in Ludlow, VT. They were there for the week prior to the US Open, which used to hold Super-G and Slalom races at Stratton. I didn’t have a racing coach at the time, so it was the perfect opportunity to see what racing was all about. I think this was one of the moments when I first fell in love with riding an alpine board. Rob had us doing runs, just pointing it straight down Wardance (Okemo’s race run). I felt like I could barely stand on my new hard boot set-up, but by gosh I was able to go straight! Since then, I have learned to carve a little better and become more passionate about this sport.
At the time, Chris and Ian were on Rob’s team. So we meet again, under a bit different circumstances, but for me just as exciting. Back then, I was challenged by simply turning my snowboard. Now I have the biggest challenge of my career ahead of me, qualifying for the Olympics and bringing home a medal. Funny, how our goals change.
I have had some great coaches along the way, each teaching me things that were both important and relevant at the time. With Rob, for that one week in March of 1998, I learned about the feeling of standing on my board as my speed picked up. When I moved to Steamboat, Colorado to train with Mike Mallon and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, I learned about becoming independent, the basics of a snowboard carve and I began to meet lifelong friends along the way. Then my (still current) Steamboat coach, Thedo Remmelink came to town and I’ve probably learned more from him about snowboarding, about myself, and life in general, than most anyone besides my parents. He has been a great inspiration and guidance for me, which is why I do still train with Thedo here in Steamboat whenever I can. I’ve also had the pleasure of being on the US team and learning many things about physical fitness and overcoming challenges that sports sometimes bring. But now, my hope is that Rob and Thedo can help take me to the Olympics this year. Now I’ve come full circle and get the pleasure of training with Rob again, but this time finding ultimate speed in a race course, not just straight down the mountain!
So Cheers to a new team, with killer dreams, and a killer attitude! Thanks guys!
Tags: Erica Mueller
Cool website, Erica! Can’t wait to follow your conquests throughout the season…