role model moment

Even though -13 is freezing, especially for Ireland, after I told Ciara and her dad about the large frostbite burn I suffered from training on the Saas-Fee glacier earlier this year the cold didn't seem quite as bad. When Ciara's dad returned to school to teach his elementary class, he couldn't help but mention that walking to the bus in -13 is nothing compared to skiing in -36. As soon as he mentioned that a ski racer was staying with his family for the holidays to a room of curious six year olds, they demanded to see the skier for themselves. So Ciara and I stopped by on our way into town. I showed the kids around my site and taught them the difference between alpine and telemark. Afterward, I used Ciara as a translator, so I could understand the Irish accented questions. With genuine curiosity that only comes from elementary students, I couldn't help but wish I had brought skis with me to show them and let them have a go at it!