Sochi 2014 or not?

Immediately after my run at the last Olympics here in Vancouver, I was bombarded with the question of whether or not I am going to ski and try to go for the gold in Sochi.  I have deliberated long and hard over the idea... and my plan is to go for it.

Many factors came into play when committing to my new plan, but mostly I needed to ask myself;  can i commit to another 4 years of being incredibly and intensely focused...  can I do it?  Can I wake up each day and commit everything to this path?  What does it bring to my life?  What would I be missing? Can I commit everything to this even with the realization that the gold may not even happen?

The fact is, I feel that I have so much more to learn from pursueing excellence in sport.  Every day that I'm out there, I learn and grow so much.  It is because I choose to go after these dreams and these goals that i have the will power to overcome huge obstacles.  I have overcome fears and doubts that i didn't even know were hidden inside me, but that were such a hinderence to my potential.  I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to do that jump that I performed in the Olympics becas, but i wanted it so bad that I made it happen and I gained a lot by doing it.  I know that there are more demons to overcome.  I find that sport is such a great and immediate tool for knowing yourself and evolving as a human being.  I have to be so in tune with myself and so incredibly in the moment to perform at my best.  When one thing is just a little bit off, it shows in that split second mistake in my skiing.   I want to keep evolving, and sport is my vessel.

I also know that 32 is pushing the age for an impact sport, but past women in my sport have proven that maturity and experience can be the key to consistency and an Olympic medal.  My body is still in great shape and I plan to take the necessary precautions and maintenence required to keep myself in top form.  

I also love the lifestyle of being an athlete.  I love to travel, I love to be active, I love to eat well and get good rest.  My coach Stephen Fearing posed the question; "So, if you weren't skiing on the world cup circuit, would much change in your life?"  I realized that i would still be striving for the same things, so I figure i might as well keep doing those things AND keep competing.  They go hand in hand.

I also love that i can effect people positively with my stories and experiences.  I love to share with others and see them light up.  To inspire others to go after their own dreams and goals is priceless, and by continuing on my path for gold it will give me more opportunities to share.  

The thing that really drives me to continue is the knowing, deep inside, that I have so much more potential in my skiing ability.  I tapped into it briefly at the last Olympics, but I skied beyond my experience level that day.  I know that I CAN ski that fast, and I CAN jump that well, and that I CAN have the best turns on the circuit.  I just need to figure out how to unleash all of my potential and put it together in one seamless run, again and again.  I had the ability for Gold in Vancouver, but I will have the experience to back it up this time in Sochi. 

I am looking forward to the journey ahead.

An announcement from Canadian Mogul Skier Kristi Richards from Canadian Freestyle Ski on Vimeo.