VT Dew Tour & X-Games 2012

January 30, 2012 by ashleybattersby

Started off the near month trip to Breckenridge Co with the US Freeskiing team. It was one of the sickest oppoutnites that I have been blessed to have. The day broke down:
-Wake up at 6 am
-Get to hill by 7:15
-7:30 is when the us team brought the ruckass
-sled laps on the Breck park (4 perfect jumps!) till 9/9:30
-Skied till around 11/12
-home for some lunch and a nap (and some days it was Woodward Copper)
-PT then gym for a few hours by that time was around 5/6
-Dinner
-watch an episode of the office while ice bathing
-call the boy and go to bed
Yes, it was perfect for about a week straight we did this, perfect park, perfect crew, perfect way to get me set up with my new tricks.

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Headed down to Denver on the night of the 16th of Jan to my former camper Emilia Wint’s house. Her mom made the best Huveos Rancheros btw
Flew out to VT the next morning (crazy trip) by the way. Coach Raps and I had the same flight but they wouldnt let him on the flight. Flight to Chicago was canceled so instead of getting into Albany at 4 we were now schedule to get in at 10. Think thats bad?
Keri and Meg’s flight got so mixed up that they arrived at DIA at 8:00 am on Jan 16 and didnt get out of there until Jan 17 at 1:00am and then had a 3 hour drive from boston to Killington. Although we all got the sickest hotel room together.

got to stop in WI, Midwest snow...def dont miss you haha

Jan 19, 2012. Killington was the hardest trip of I think all of us. Meg got a call that changed lives all over the world forever. All i can say is that I’m so blessed to have been together with my best girl friends in the ski indusrty that trip. I dont have much to say about that day right now besides I love you Sarah and I miss you so much. You are in my heart forever.

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Dew Tour on the east coast was rough for practice days. Uphill wind one day, Snow the next, Dangerous downhill the day after that, and then for the contest perfect blue bird weather. I skied a great run for the first run but wanted to go and clean it up the second for a better score to make it to finals. I had done my entire run how I wanted and at the very end my binding popped me out on a switch sev. Was so bummed. That was a shot to heart for sure. That was the first time in my career that I hadn’t ever made finals. I was so stoked for my camper Emilia getting her fist big podium though in 3rd for dew!

Headed back to Denver got in around 12, drove straight (with the exception of a Jamba Juice and Noodles stop) to Aspen. The very next day Jan 23 was practice for us at Winter X-Games. Yes X we meet again. Got a House with all the besties, Anna Segal, Anais Caradeux and Kaya Turski + the filmers and happened to be on SUNBUNNY Lane…ha. So fun even we had the craziest neighbors!

Practice was the sickest shit ever! We got to do it under the lights from 7:30-10. You could see everything! Better then in the day even. Reminded me of when I would ski GG (Grand Geneva in WI) from 9-9. My parents would have to call the lifties to kick us off the mountain because me and my bros would ski all day into the night. Thats the last time i remember night skiing and loving it! Thank you Lord for that rad opportunity!

Womens Slopestyle is always the first event to kick off X-Games (phew!) because as fun as it is, sometimes you just want to ski and be done. My birthday was on X last year and missed the podium by less then a point. Was hoping for an early birthday gift again this year. My run consisted of blind 2, switch in to switch 5, 5, switch 7, switch 9. The first run I clipped the lip on my sw 9 and ski popped off. Second run got it but wanted to clean the grabs better. Third run was my best run, got my grabs and got the best switch 9 i had ever done. Got to the bottom feeling so good on the most organic high from skiing and checks the score board. Was waiting to see my name pop up with a high 80 and get into top 3 for sure.

“Ashley Battersby 5th Place” Instant 2nd shot to the heart. I was so bummed on my score. I had to keep my head up knowing I had the BEST RUN of my career at that moment and stepped it up for myself. I was defiantly confused on the judging once again although all I could do was be stoked I skied my hardest for me, Sarah and thats all i could do.
A bonus was I had my parents/ baby bro at the bottom waiting for me telling me how proud they were…best feeling to be able to make them all so proud. Thank you Lord for blessing me with my best run of my life, with the most amazing life experiences, to be one of the 10 women in the world who get to get to go to X-Games and for keeping me healthy through this.

Next day, Jan 27th was my 24th birthday. I was stoked to be with the girls. We went to Poppycocks the best place for breaky in Aspen. Anna got me the BEST ice cream cake and I got to spend it with my besties. Im blessed with the bestest BEST friends in the world. Love u girls all so much.

I do wanna say congrats to all the girls, Bean for that sick cork sev blunt, Anna for the up 4 out and right sev, and kaya inspiring me once again and girls everywhere for that sickest switch 10. Cant wait to try that again with u girl. I am so proud and happy of all the girls for killing it at X, the level is getting high and everyone is pushing their limits. I cant wait to get back out there have another amazing opportunity to shred with the best girls in the world and keep pushing my limit. So stoked to be apart of all this!

Ski for Sarah

January 18, 2012 by ashleybattersby

Parkasaraus in 2006 middle of the pipe I got my courage up to introduce myself, “Hey Sarah, I’m Ashl…”
“Ashley Battersby, I know who you are, good to finally meet you!”

Yes, I possibly peed myself. My idol interrupted me to continue on telling me she already knew who I was with a hand shake. I had never been so happy in my life. I got to meet my life long Idol. Starstruck!

I had seen ever ski movie she was in growing up and would rewind to her part over and over. My ultimate favorite section of her was in Salad Days (thank you Rocky Maloney for the rad birthday present). I based everything I did in my skiing -off of her skiing. I wanted to be her in every way.

She is not only one of the most beautiful athletes, but she was/IS sickest female skier along with Kristi Leskenin and she paved the way for women in freeskiing. She skied in the mens divisions since they didn’t have one for women. She struggled in this although fought for equality, slayed it harder then some of the guys, and on top of being super women- she is the most genuine, humble and REAL women I have ever known.

Even in the worst weather conditions for a contest, Sarah was the first person to have the best attitude about it. I dont think I have ever seen a frown on her face. It was always Smiles. You want to give your day some light? All I had to do was talk to Sarah. She gives off so much Light and Love that it would be impossible to be in a bad mood near her. She always had a positive outlook on everything I had ever talked to her about-even if it was the worst situation and you feel theres no way out or the outcome would be horrible- she would have a optimistic approach to everything. Man I learned not only so much about skiing but life with Sarah’s point of view. She taught me that theres always something good that can come out of every situation no matter how bad it feels at the time.

Sarah- I just wanna tell you how much I admire your strength, courage, bravery, skill, and personality. You are the best Female skier in the World. I want to thank you for never giving up and fighting until the end for equality in the freeskiing world. I think I can speak for all of us girls to say we wouldn’t be here if It weren’t for your fight.

That said, your a FIGHTER. I know your going to come back to the Sarah I met back in 2006 because you never give up. You are my ultimate hero, life idol and great friend Sarah. I love you so much. Like my tattoo says on my arm , “God Doesn’t Give You Anything Your Can’t Handle” and if anyone can do this Sarah, it is YOU. Stay Strong Sarah!

I know one thing is for sure, I’m skiing for you Sarah! We all want to make you proud! With the contests coming up, we all have you on our minds and will be skiing our best for you! Thank you for fighting for us to have this opportunity!