USST Naming
Hi all,
After yesterdays announcement of the US ski team I have received a number of emails congratulating me on being named to the 10/11 team. There are some misunderstandings that I want to clear up.
I want to thank those of you that have contacted me and congratulated me on "making the team" I was named to the team this season, let me explain why and what that means. After an injury that happens before March 1 of the year that you are on the team you will be named to next years team whether you have qualified or not. It gives you a chance to come back to skiing the next winter when you're healthy enough to race. As you can imagine a lot of athletes injure themselves in ski racing. With knees, backs, ankles, legs, you name it and someone has probably missed half a season or more due to an injury. It is difficult to come back after an injury, but it happens every year. This year Jimmy Cochran hasn't been able to ski since July because of an ankle fracture. He tried to ski last month in Austria but had to go home early because he was in too much pain. My injury is a little different. Like I wrote about in pervious posts I have worked very hard to get myself from where I was a year ago to where I am now. I knew in September 09 that it would be very difficult for me to make a return to sport. Not only was I a tiny little guy with less muscle mass then I had when I was 15 but I would have to get clearance from USSA before I could return. Staying motivated to work your way through rehab is always difficult and when you have no clear idea of if you will ever be able to return it makes it that much harder. I had my moments of weakness through my long winter of training and rehab but always pushed on knowing that I could only worry about what I could control at the time.
I was never worried about not being named to the team this season, it was whether I would be allowed to train or race again. Like I talked about a week ago I was not given clearance from USSA to return to sport. I am technically apart of this seasons "team" but will not be allowed to train (on or off snow) with USSA athletes. As much as I would love to get back to doing what I was before the injury, in this case I wont be able to.
Thank you all for the support. I will update later in the month about my first camp as a coach.
Cody
After yesterdays announcement of the US ski team I have received a number of emails congratulating me on being named to the 10/11 team. There are some misunderstandings that I want to clear up.
I want to thank those of you that have contacted me and congratulated me on "making the team" I was named to the team this season, let me explain why and what that means. After an injury that happens before March 1 of the year that you are on the team you will be named to next years team whether you have qualified or not. It gives you a chance to come back to skiing the next winter when you're healthy enough to race. As you can imagine a lot of athletes injure themselves in ski racing. With knees, backs, ankles, legs, you name it and someone has probably missed half a season or more due to an injury. It is difficult to come back after an injury, but it happens every year. This year Jimmy Cochran hasn't been able to ski since July because of an ankle fracture. He tried to ski last month in Austria but had to go home early because he was in too much pain. My injury is a little different. Like I wrote about in pervious posts I have worked very hard to get myself from where I was a year ago to where I am now. I knew in September 09 that it would be very difficult for me to make a return to sport. Not only was I a tiny little guy with less muscle mass then I had when I was 15 but I would have to get clearance from USSA before I could return. Staying motivated to work your way through rehab is always difficult and when you have no clear idea of if you will ever be able to return it makes it that much harder. I had my moments of weakness through my long winter of training and rehab but always pushed on knowing that I could only worry about what I could control at the time.
I was never worried about not being named to the team this season, it was whether I would be allowed to train or race again. Like I talked about a week ago I was not given clearance from USSA to return to sport. I am technically apart of this seasons "team" but will not be allowed to train (on or off snow) with USSA athletes. As much as I would love to get back to doing what I was before the injury, in this case I wont be able to.
Thank you all for the support. I will update later in the month about my first camp as a coach.
Cody
Thanks for clearing that up Cody. I was confused when I saw your name listed as those on the team after your last blog post. Trust that everything happens for a reason. I'm sure you will make a great coach. Good luck!
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That does squish the fact that you should be proud of the accomplishments you have made!! And ... you get a nice warm jacket in the process :-] The fact that you ever made the team, fulfilling your lifelong dream is good enough for everyone who supports you. So --- yipeeee, you made the roster for this year, no matter the results!
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Hey Cody,
I have been following your progress all along and am so very pleased to hear that you are doing well and making prudent decisions on your return to sport, especially ski racing. When i met you several years ago at Holiday Valley for the Slush Cup races i told you that you were a "sleeper" and that many either did not recognize or under estimated your abilities, work ethic and resolve. Now that you have and continue to recover, the decisions you make, the direction you choose in utilizing your talents will certainly pave the way for continued successes in the short and long term. It is refreshing to hear how excited you are to be coaching. How fortunate for all of the young racers out there that will have the opportunity to gain from your skill, talent and experiences. One of the greatest things one can be in life is a teacher and i am sure you will have your hand in developing a few "sleepers" along the way.
Those that know you will always consider you a part of the US Ski Team not only as an athlete, but as an inspiration and maybe a coach as well!
I wish and pray for the best for you in whatever you do in the future. I look forward to the opportunity to make a few turns with you some where down the road. Take care of yourself Cody.
Bob Wright
PS- I spent time and had dinner with Andrew Weibrecht a couple weeks ago. Your ears had to be ringing!!!! He has my cell number, give me a call sometime.
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