Willow Koerber Season Report

I can't believe this season is over. I guess it is true that the time goes faster every year. My last races were not exactly what I had hoped for. On a positive note, I am hungry and motivated to train and race next year.

I finished 15^th in both the World Championships and the World Cup finals. I found the races very challenging. My body was tired after the long season, and my "time off" in January was staring to show. I felt really awesome in my training leading up to the events, but all was not to be on race day. I really appreciated all the great races I had this season, that is for sure. I finished 6^th in the World Cup overall, which makes for a great front row start next year!

After Slovenia it was off to China for the pre-Olympic invitational. I am so glad that I had this opportunity, because I don't think that next year will leave much time for sight seeing. I even had time to go to the Great Wall. The only thing I didn't see on my list was the Summer Palace. I will have to make sure I get there next year. The race course was very challenging. It was not technical, but somehow it seemed to be all short, steep up hills, with no downhill in sight. I now know why the Chinese girls are always out of the saddle. On race morning I was wondering if I could physically make it around the course seven times. I did, of course, but not without much pain and suffering.

The pollution in China was extreme, and my lungs took a beating. Thank goodness for all my healing remedies, for I felt better in a matter of days. The US team had quite a night on the town after the race. I had to wake up Todd Wells and Georgia Gould at noon the next day; the bus was ready to leave! I had a mere 20 hours in NC before boarding the next plane for Interbike in Las Vegas. The flight to Vegas was probably the worst I have felt all year. I am not sure how I managed all the socializing and commitments, but somehow I always pull though.

I am now spending a few relaxing days in Whistler before heading to Moab for a SID launch for my sponsor SRAM. I am not looking forward to pinning on a race number, but I am sure that in five days I will be ready to be on the move again. It seems like no matter how tired I am, I can't sit still for a week or more. It looks like I picked the right job!

The end of 2007 brings many happy memories and a few sad times as well. If there is one thing I have learned this year, it is best summed up by an old proverb, "smooth seas never made a good sailor."

I'd like to thank my coach at CTS, Jim Lehman, my team, Subaru/Gary Fisher, my friends and family and my boyfriend Richie Schley for riding the storm with me. Smooth seas ahead! I have paid my dues.