Steamboat Springs Final Para Snowboard World Cup
It's been over a decade since I've visited Steamboat Springs for a snowboard event. It was great to be back, see old friends and race in a familiar place.
In the lead-up to the event, conditions were predominantly sunny and warm, characteristic of typical spring weather. Fortunately, we had ample opportunity to test our base waxes and overlays under consistent conditions, which allowed us to effectively prepare for the first day. As a result, Jon and I made an accurate wax call, ensuring that our boards performed optimally and glided smoothly throughout the day.
On the second day of competition, the weather underwent a significant change. Although temperatures decreased somewhat overnight, they did not drop enough to freeze the snow. Subsequently, a snowstorm arrived, resulting in fresh wet snow accumulating on top of slush. The wax used the previous day was unsuitable for these new conditions. This situation highlights the importance of testing on Nordic skis. Jon managed to test six different waxes and conduct glide assessments before the competition began, allowing us to make the necessary wax adjustments in time for the qualifiers.
At the conclusion of the competitions, the FIS presented the crystal globes for the banked SL season, the overall titles, and the Nations Cup. I am proud to announce that our team secured multiple globes, as well as the Nations Cup. We now have the opportunity to rest and relax for a week before returning to Europe for the Paralympic Games in Italy.
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