That's a wrap!

We've just finished the Australia/New Zealand Continental Cup Finals here in Mt Hutt, New Zealand and that means the Australia/New Zealand domestic season for 2013 is done!

I had some great results here to finish off a dream comeback season. It was a huge schedule with 10 days straight of racing. 4 DH days (which I foreran for the men), 3 Super G, 1 Super Combined and 1 Slalom.

Forerunning the Men's Downhill Races

In the Super G, I finished with a 2nd place and a PB result in Super G of 55.50 FIS points. I also placed 3rd in the other Super G and 3rd in the Super Combined.

Super G podium. 1st place Barbara Kantorova of Slovakia (middle), 2nd place Lavinia Chrystal of Australia (left), 3rd place Greta Small of Australia (right)

ANC Cup Super G course, Mt Hutt, New Zealand

The Slalom was also a great race for me. I narrowly missed the podium, but my skiing was great and I made a 2nd PB result of 30.95. Congratulations to Barbara Kantorova of Slovakia (1st), Charlotte Guest of Great Britain (2nd) and Mandy Dirkzwager of The Netherlands (3rd).

Results - ANC Cup Slalom 

Whilst the conditions at the start of the week were perfect, unfortunately the final Giant Slalom race had to be cancelled due to dangerous snow and weather conditions. Although this was a shame, the silver lining is that I hung on to the AUS/NZ GS bib that I had carried throughout the season. This title means that I have my own personal spot in North American and European Cups and will start no worse than bib 31. It's very handy to have (especially in an Olympic year) and I'm very proud to have won it for the second time in my career.

Australia/New Zealand Continental Cup Giant Slalom title 2013

All in all it has been a fantastic season. I couldn't have imagined a better return to competitive season after 18 months off with my knee injury. I'm just so happy and proud of all I have achieved this year:

Australian National Slalom Champion
Australia/New Zealand Continental Cup Giant Slalom title
5 Podium results
A PB FIS point result in every discipline!!
Currently ranked 2nd in Australia for every discipline.

Naturally there are many people to thank for my success.

Thanks to my coach for his hard work, dedication, patience and belief in getting me back to my best.
Thanks also to my team mates for making my return to skiing easy and fun.
Thank you to my physio at The Sports Clinic, and my trainers and support staff at Sydney Uni Sport and Fitness for getting me back to my best physical condition to achieve my goals and dreams. I owe you!

Finally, thanks to my family, friends and supporters for backing me and cheering me on every step of the way. Particularly my wonderful parents. I would be nowhere without you!

My beautiful parents. The best supporters in the world!

It's time to head back home to Sydney now. We've got 1 week off to relax and unwind before getting back into training in the gym. It's going to be a busy 6 weeks back at home with a mixture of intense gym sessions, some fun media things, and catch ups with family and friends.

All my love,

Lav xoxo