 under tremendous amount of pressure and stress, I felt that it was pointless for me to try so hard because I just was not fast enough to make the team. The motivation really went down from there on for rest of the year. I still loved training and skiing, but in my mind, the only place I wanted to be racing at was Torino. After December World Cups and until early April I won every race that I have entered in North America, except for last 2 races at Spring Series where I finished 2nd.</p><p><b>Months on the road, hopping from hotel to hotel: how do you keep your sanity?</b> </p><p>I am studying by correspondence, calling regularly all my friends and my family and writing little updates on my website. At times when I feel like it has been too much hotel- living and traveling I remind myself that any competitive skier back home would love to be in my spot and that I am so lucky to live my dream and race the World Cups.</p><p><b>You’re multi-lingual. What languages are you fluent in?</b></p><p>I speak English, French, Russian and Italian. Also some basic understanding of German as I took German language lessons when I was a kid.</p><p><b>What language are you working on right now?</b> </p><p>All of them! I like to keep my language skills sharp. Usually I would speak at least in English and French every day, and get Russian and Italian language exposure as often as possible – mostly through friends, music, magazines, TV, internet, that kind of stuff.</p><p><b>You came from Russia to Quebec at 15. How was this huge life transition? </b></p><p>It was huge!!! When I came to Quebec I did not speak any French at all. During my first 3 years of living there and skiing with Quebec Ski Team I felt like a total idiot because I could hardly understand what people around me were saying. The majority of people on that team barely spoke any English themselves so the communication was very basic and sparse.</p><p><b>On the racing side, what has been your finest performance so far?</b></p><p>Sorry, I can’t really pick up a single best performance. However there are for sure a few races that I will remember for the rest of my life. One of such performances that I am really proud of is racing the 75km Marcialonga marathon. I am still amazed how I was able to finish such a long distance and also win a bronze medal!</p><p><b>What do you miss most about Sara’s year away from the Canadian team? </b></p><p>I really miss training with her because she is a great training partner and because she is so experienced in World Cup racing.</p><p><b>Where were you when…Beckie won the 2002 Olympic pursuit? </b></p><p>I was packing my ski bag for Keskinada Loppet week-end of racing while checking race results on the web. There was no TV coverage of this race in Canada, so I found out about her medal through the internet just before I jumped in the car. By the time I got to Gatineau (1.5 hrs of driving), everyone already knew and was really excited!</p><p><b>Want to know know more about Dasha? Check out her web blog at: www.dashagaiazova.com </b></p><p>“I apologize for the way it looks right now, I put that thing together all by myself. I do plan on making it look more professional after this racing season is over, however for the time being I update it every 2-3rd day and it is a best way of keeping track of my ski racing adventures!â€</p><hr><p><center><img src=)
Torin Koos is a member of the National A Team for the United States. A World Cup, World Championship and Olympic competitor, Koos brings this experience to the FasterSkier sportscasting arena for the 2006/2007 season.
Equipment: Rossignol Skis, Boots and Bindings, Toko gloves and wax, Marwe, Exel poles, Rudy Project Eyewear, Powerbar
Home Ski Club: Leavenworth Winter Sports Club ( www.skileavenworth.com )
Headgear Sponsor: USA Pears ( www.usapears.com )
Best Western Icicle Inn ( www.icicleinn.com )
BioSports NorthWest Physical Therapy ( www.biosports.net )
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