Ski Racing - March 12, 2012

she was becoming a World Cup top- 10 regular (she
racked up 11 top-10s including five top-five finishes
from 2006-2007). In December 2007, she broke her
left forearm and right shinbone, tore ligaments in her
right knee and bruised her face and hip during a GS
race. She fought her way back for an appearance at
the 2009 World Championships and then broke her
foot a week later when she fell off of a stair. Stiegler
had two starts at the beginning of the 2010 season
before she suffered her worst setback when she
broke her left tibia and femur while training in Colo-
rado.
“I guess I always thought when I came back from
my injuries that once I got on skis that it would be
easy, because that is what I have done my whole life
and I loved skiing,” said Stiegler. “I figured out that it
wasn’t that easy. Last year I was scared to ski. This
year I knew I could ski really fast. I didn’t just want to
get top-20s; I wanted to be in the top five and I knew
that I was skiing well enough to do that, but to put
it down on that day is a whole other mental game.
I am always going to give it my all and if it ends up
with a day like today, then that’s the best you can
hope for and I’m really, really happy.”
Stiegler said she had early season doubts about
weather she should continue ski racing. The 26-
year-old Jackson Hole, Wyo., native said a mid-
season break at home followed by a string of three
NorAm wins in Colorado gave her the confidence
she needed to press on. Back in Europe in Febru-
ary, Stiegler rejoined the U.S. women’s the team
where further progress was made.
“We’ve had a good couple weeks of training and I
really focused hard on some new techniques and
new feelings on my skis,” said Stiegler. “I came
into this race focusing on that new feeling and not
worrying about the outcome because I didn’t think

ZOOM; GEPA

that I would possibly do so well. I have visualized this since I was a child. I almost feel like, whether I got first or second or third today, the podium was a huge accomplishment for me. I never in my wildest dreams thought it was going to happen this year. It’s just a dream come true for me.” Stielger’s teammates hoisted her to their shoulders in the sunny Ofterschwang finish area and shared in her celebration, having seen the hard work she has put in over the years.

“She’s always had such a great attitude and never gave up,” wrote Lindsey Vonn in her Denver Post blog. “She had a lot of good first runs this season but she finally put it together for two good runs. She really put it on the line and it was really cool to see. It’s great when someone who works as hard as she does gets what they deserve.” “I must say it was pretty inspiring to see Resi on that podium today,” posted Julia Mancuso to her Facebook page. “She’s been through a lot to return from injuries and get back the confidence to follow her ski goddess dreams. And Erin winning the race was another example that you have to just keep fighting, charge hard, believe in yourself and anything can happen! Congrats girls.”

Mielzynski and Steigler were overcome with emotion in the Ofterschwang leaders’ box.

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