On The Road Again
What it’s really like
to be a traveling
World Cup athlete
By Emily Cook
VOSS, NORWAY — Depending on
the day, I have the same answer for
two different, and often asked, athlete
questions. What is my favorite part of
the World Cup? Travel. What is my
least favorite part of the World Cup?
Same answer: travel. I do, in fact,
have a love/hate relationship with the
months of life on the road that are re-
quired to be an elite athlete.
I love the beauty of learning about dif-
ferent cultures, the sound of fireworks
exploding throughout the night during
Chinese New Year, the taste of freshly
pounded mochi rice cakes in Japan,
the feeling of visiting the Kremlin and
the excitement learning the history of
Moscow with our Russian competitors.
The challenging part can be compet-
ing after 48-hour travel days, jumping
while jet-lagged, uncomfortable beds,
small hotel rooms, slow and some-
The aerials team, all suited up,
arrives in Moscow, Russia.
