Hinterstoder SG

     Yesterday (17.12) the organizers decided to make 2 Super-G races to start off the races in Hinterstoder with. For me it was not a good day result wise but a good one learning wise. In the first run I was out because I got the wrong line. I did not work enough during the course etc etc. In the second one I corrected was needed to be corrected but unfortunately my ski went off. The binding was set on 17 (170 kg). There was this really important turn where the pressure needed to be stronger than normal. So I did. I guess my ski did not like it so much. Flew right off and I had a spectacular fall at about aprox. 90-80 km/h I would say. But no problem. I was fine, not a scratch. It is actually quite fun to fall when it ends well :). Confident about the Downhill in the next days. My number today was 86 out of 130.

     Ieri (16.12) organizatorii cursei de la Hinterstoder au decis sa inceapa cu 2 concursuri de Super G. Pentru mine nu a fost bun rezultatul dar experianta pretioasa. In prima mansa am iesit din traseu dupa mai multe greseli, nu am fost pe linia buna astfel m-a scos din traseu. A doua a fost mai bine, am corectat ce era de corectat fata de prima insa la un viraj unde presiunea trebuia sa fie mai mare mi-a sarit schiul. Legaturile erau stranse la 17 (170 kg). Am avut o cazatura spectaculoasa (din ce mi s-a spus, eu nu m-am simtit foarte spectaculos) cam la 80-90 km/h insa am scapat fara nici o zgarietura. Sa fiu sincer cazaturile imi plac cat timp se evita accidentarile :). Sunt increzator in legatura cu Coborarile ce vor urma. Numarul meu astazi a fost 86 din 130.

Val Gardena

   First race. Kind of. 2 Super G and 2 Super Combined in Val Gardena (ITA). The result was not good, quite bad to be honest. But no problem, that’s what first races are for. Get a grip of the slope, get back in the racing state of mind. I truly learned a lot from this race. In the end I must say I am satisfied with the overall experience. Now it is on. Next race: Hinterstoder, Austria (17-20.12). The place where me and downhill first met J, same time last year.

   Primul concurs. Oarecum. 2 Super-G si 2 Super Combinate in Val Gardena (ITA). Rezultatul nu a fost bun, ba chiar rau. Dar nu este problema, pentru asta sunt primele concursuri. Familiarizeaza partia cat poti de mult, intra in atmosfera de concurs. Am invatat multe lucruri din aceasta cursa si pot spune ca sunt multumit cu rezultatul overall din aceste 2 zile. Gata, a inceput. Urmatoarea cursa: Hinterstoder, Austria (17-20.12). Locul unde am facut cunostinta cu Coborarea J, anul trecut pe vremea asta.

Oportunitati

   Este timpul sa ma spovedesc. In momentul in care l-am ales pe domnul Hans Frick sa imi fie antrenor nu stiam foarte bine cine este, ce rezultate a avut, de ce este in stare. M-am gandit ca pare un om bun si ar trebui sa incercam, sa vedem ce se intampla. Intre timp, in aceste 2 luni jumatate am aflat tot ce era de aflat. Oamenii cu adevarat valorosi nu se dau mari. Plec capul in fata sa. Nu exista o cale mai buna.  Este foarte pasionat de schi alpin si de rezultate, sa faca ceva din nimic. Cu mine spre exemplu. Ce antrenor de top din Austria ar lua un roman de 23 de ani, fara o tehnica de baza, care cunoaste schiul mai putin decat un junior de 15 ani din Austria, incercand sa ajunga cu el in Cupa Mondiala intr-o buna zi? Apropo, fara sa il intereseze banii. Pe zi ce trece imi dau seama din ce in ce mai mult cat de norocos sunt ca Georg si Hans m-au acceptat in echipa lor, oferindu-mi astfel conditii de care nu a avut parte un roman de foarte multa vreme. Cu exceptia lui Dan Cristea, poate sunt singurul. Sa explic ce inseamna asta. Pe 9-10 decembrie a fost pentru prima oara cand am urcat noaptea cu gondola. De ce? Pentru ca am avut incredibila oportunitate sa ma antrenez alaturi de lotul de Cupa Europei a Austriei (a doua echipa a tarii).  Raiteralm, Super-G, partie inchisa, combinezon, timp, top! 4 manse in conditii de concurs. Poftim? 4 manse? Nu e prea putin? NU. E perfect.  Acesta este inca un lucru care l-am invatat acest sezon. Ce inseamna cu adevarat caliltate cand vine vorba de antrenamentul pe schiuri (una dintre lucrurile pentru care Romania este unde este in ziua de azi la schi alpin, voi reveni la acest subiect). Poate va intrebati ce mare lucru sa te antrenezi in asa conditii cu austriecii, toata lumea poate. GRESIT.  De obicei nimeni nu poate si asta e ideea. Daca nu faceam parte din echipa lui Hans aveam sansa porcului de Craciun J. Sa dau un exemplu mai pe intelesul tuturor, ca sa ilustrez ce inseamna asta. Joci la Steaua Bucuresti, te antrenezi cu FC Barcelona. Oportunitatile incredibile care imi apar in cale (calea schiurilor) imi ridica moralul si imi dau incredere in mine. Timpii care i-am obtinut in aceste antrenamente in comparatie cu cei mai buni ai Autriei sunt foarte imbucuratori. Semn ca am inceput pe un drum foarte bun.  Am cautat un drum, l-am ales pe acesta. Ideal. Tot ce ramane de facut acuma este sa ascult cuvintele ce provin din imnul clubului mei de fotbal preferat, si sa fac ce spun ele. Walk on…and You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Opportunities

        Confession time. When I choose mister Hans Frick to be my coach I did not know who he was, what he has done, what he can do. I said to myself he is a good guy and I should give it a go. So I found out in the last 2 months and a half all I wanted to know about him. I bow my head to him and say I could have not make a better decision. For sure, by far. He is a very passionate man about skiing and is interested about getting results, making something out of nothing. Take me for instance. What top Austrian coach would take a 23 year old Romanian guy who has no skiing technique whatsoever and knows less about true skiing than a Austrian 15 year old, to try to get with him one day in the World Cup?  With money not important? I cannot stress this enough. How extremely lucky I am Hans and Georg accepted me into their team and offer me conditions I am sure no Romanian had in a really long time. Except Dan Cristea, maybe not ever. For instance take the days of 9-10 December. First time in my life I got up the mountain at night. I was in the gondola and it was night outside. Why, you ask? Because I had the immense privilege to be training alongside the Austrian European Cup team (second team of Austria) in a Super-G course in beautiful Raiteralm. Closed slope, timing, race suit, the works! Four runs in this course, that’s it. Just four runs you are asking? That’s another thing. I have finally understood what quality training means (one of the things because countries like Romania is where it is in the world of skiing, but more on that later). Some of you are probably wondering what’s the big deal training like this, same conditions as the Austrians. Anyone can do it. WRONG. Almost nobody can do it and that’s the point. If I would not have Hans as a coach I could never get even close to them. Let me give you an example of what I mean in football terms. You play for Steaua Bucharest, you train with FC Barcelona. The immense opportunities appearing right before my skis boast my confidence an awful lot. The times I did in these trainings compared to the best in Austria is also a very good sign of a very good path I started to walk on. I’ve been looking for it, I’ve got on it hoping it is the good one. What do you know…it is better than that. Now it is truly the time to embrace that famous saying of my favorite football club. Walk on…and You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Race in Tignes. Or not...

     The weather conditions around Europe are not the best in November. And for the speed disciplines in alpine skiing that can be a real impediment. Normally I should have had 2 races by now. Raiteralm (AUT) European Cup and Tignes (FRA) FIS race. Due to the bad conditions Raiteralm was first postponed and then cancelled. In France it was a different story but the outcome was the same.  We got to France, the race started and after the first 24 racers it was stopped. The organizers did their best to make it happen but fog is one of the things they cannot control. To sum up I visited France for 2 days. The only positives of the trip was that I got to meet my colleagues from the Olympic Team, Ania Caill and Alexandru Barbu. Next race: Val Gardena (ita) 2-3 December.

     Conditiile meteorologice in Noiembrie nu sunt cele mai bune in Europa. Iar pentru ce inseamna probele de viteza ale schiului alpin pot fi un adevarat impediment. In mod normal pana la aceasta data trebuia sa am deja 2 curse in picioare. Raiteralm (AUT) Cupa Europei si Tignes (FRA) FIS. Raiteralm a fost amanat apoi intr-un final anulat, iar cu Tignes alta poveste aceasi deznodamant. Am ajuns pana in Franta, a inceput concursul, dar dupa 24 de numere a fost oprit din cauza cetii la nivelul inferior al cursei. Organizatorii s-au straduit din rasputer insa ceata nu a disparut si intr-un final a fost anulata si aceasta cursa. In concluzie am fost in excursie pana in Franta, singurul lucru pozitiv fiind acela ca mi-am intalnit colegii din Lotul Olimpic de Schi Alpin, Ania Caill si Alexandru Barbu. Urmatorul concurs: 2-3 decembrie, Val Gardena (ITA).

TV Show

     Also a premiere to me, I was invited to Nova TV, a local channel from my region of Brasov. There I took part for 45 minutes to the weekly show 'Campionii' (Champions). I talked about my career, my objectives, the present and so on. Many thanks to mister Istvan Deak, the host of the show for this amazing opportunity. With things like this (and of course with results) I believe we can raise awareness for alpine skiing in Romania. The full interview here: http://www.novapress.ro/video/campionii-4-noiembrie.html.

     Inca o premiera pentru mine. Am fost invitat sa particip la o emisiune pe un post local de televiziune din Brasov. Nova TV. Emisiunea 'Campionii' a insemnat un interviu cu mine cam de 45 de minute unde am vorbit despre cariera mea pana in prezent, obiective, si asa mai departe. Multumesc domnului Istvan Deak, moderatorul emisiunii pentru aceasta oportunitate. Prin lucruri de genul asta (si cu rezultate bineinteles) am incredere ca schiul va ajunge un sport din ce in ce mai mediatizat in tara noastra. Emisiunea in format integral aici: http://www.novapress.ro/video/campionii-4-noiembrie.html.

Press Conference

     On the 1st of November I was made a great honor. My new club, ASC Corona, called a press conference to officially present me as the signing for the ski team. This is the first time something like this was ever done for a alpine skier in Romania. Only thing left to do now is not to let them down. More motivation. I like it. Thanks to the club and to the journalists present. Alpine skiing deserves this kind of attention. http://www.monitorulexpres.ro/?mod=monitorulexpres&p=sport&s_id=131569&Corona-va-avea-un-schior-alpin-la-JO-de-iarna-de-la-Soci .I apologize for putting only the link from Monitorul, there are many others.

     Pe 1 Noiembrie am avut parte de o mare onoare. Noul meu club, ASC Corona, a organizat o conferinta de presa in care am fost prezentat oficial ca noul membru al clubului de schi alpin. Este pentru prima oara cand un schior alpin din Romania are parte de asa ceva. Tot ce ramane de facut este sa nu dezamagesc. Mai multa motivatie. Imi place. Multumesc clubului si jurnalistilor prezenti. Schiul alpin merita aceasta atentie. Imi cer scuze ca pun linkul doar de la monitorul, sunt multe altele. http://www.monitorulexpres.ro/?mod=monitorulexpres&p=sport&s_id=131569&Corona-va-avea-un-schior-alpin-la-JO-de-iarna-de-la-Soci.

Doping :)

     On 31 October I was summoned in Romania by the National Anti Doping Agency. We had a quick brief about the ADAMS account and after a doping test. Basically this is a log on the internet where you have to say where you are at all times, just in case the people there want to come 'check you out'. They treated us good (me and my colleagues Alexandru Barbu and Ania Caill) so we left happy campers.I sure hope they are not going to catch Barbu :(.

     Pe 31 octombrie am fost chemat in Romania de catre Agentia Nationala Anti Doping. Am avut o instruire legata de contul ADAMS, iar la final un test doping. Pe scurt contul ADAMS este un log pe internet unde trebuie spui unde esti in orice clipa, in caz ca vor sa te verifice de substante interzise. Oamenii de acolo s-au purtat bine cu noi (eu si colegii mei Alexandru Barbu si Ania Caill) si am plecat fericiti. Sper sa nu il prinda pe Barbu :(.

Hintertux

   Crazy weeks. A lot of important things happened. But let's start with the beginning. In October I had my first training camp with my new team, Georg and Hans. Absolutely amazing. I learn new things every day. Its a totally different level than the one I am used to, learning things I didn't know existed. Better late then never. In this camp I also had the Amazing opportunity to train along side some of the best skiing teams in the world: Austria Europa Cup (Ladies) and Italian World Cup (men and ladies). All thanks to my coach Hans. I have to say the most important thing I comprehended this week is just how lucky I am to train with Hans and Georg. Lucky that they accepted me and believe in me. Thanks guys...

     Saptamani haotice. Multe evenimente importante. Dar sa incepem cu inceputul. In Octombrie am avut primul stagiu de pregatire cu noua mea echipa de viteza, Georg si Hans. Absolut minunat. Invat lucruri noi in fiecare zi. E cu totul alt nivel decat am fost obisnuit pana acuma, invatand lucruri care habar nu aveam ca exista. Mai bine mai tarziu decat niciodata. In acest stagiu am avut si incredibila sansa de a ma antrena in aceleasi conditii precum mari echipe ale lumii: Austria Ladies (Europa Cup), Italia Men and Ladies (Europa and World Cup). Toate aceastea datorita antrenorului meu, Hans. Insa cel mai important lucru care l-am inteles saptamana asta este ca sunt foarte norocos. Foarte norocos ca Georg si Hans m-au primit la ei in echipa si cred in mine. Multumesc...

Safe Heaven

   As of this week I officially have a new coach and a new team. Mister Hans Frick is a specialized coach in the speed disciplines of alpine skiing. I meet him in December 2012 in Hinterstoder (AUT) at my first Downhill. After that we meet at some other races. We have been talking about the possibility of a colaboration, and this week finally put pen to paper about it. Our team is made from 3 people. The coach (Hans), me and my new teammate Georg Lindner. Georg is from Kitzbuel (austrian 100%) and is currently racing for Moldova (www.geggi.at). Besides being a coach, Hans is also the Director of alpine skiing within the Moldova Ski Federation, as well as working in FIS toward the growth of alpine skiing in Eastern Europe.
   Thanks for letting me in guys, hoping for a prolific relationship in the future.

   De saptamana asta am antrenor si echipa. Domnul Frick Hans este specializat pe probele de viteza ale schiului alpin. L-am cunoscut in Decembrie 2012 la prima mea Coborare in Hinstestoder (AUT). Apoi ne-am mai intalnit la cateva curse. Am vorbit inca de pe atunci despre o posibila colaborare, iar saptamana asta contractul a fost semnat. Echipa noastra este formata din 3 persoane. Hans (antrenorul), eu si Georg Lindner, noul meu coechipier. Georg este din Kitzbuel (AUT) insa in acest moment concureaza pentru Moldova (www.geggi.at). Pe langa functia de antrenorm, Hans este si directorul tehnic al Federatiei Moldave de Ski,  pe langa asta ocupand si un post in cadrul FIS (Federatia Internationala de Ski) pentru dezvoltarea schiului alpin in Europa de Est.

   Multumesc ca m-ati primit, am incredere ca vom avea o relatie prolifica.

The Devil's Playground (ROU)

   Multe lucruri s-au intamplat in ultimele saptamani. Insa cel mai important a fost astazi.

   In primul rand, as vrea sa imi cer scuze pentru ca nu am mai scris in ultima perioada. Sunt in Hintertux (AUT) in cantonament si am probleme cu conectarea la internet in locul unde sunt cazat. Acuma am venit la un bar sa pot scrie.

   Dupa cum spuneam, astazi am avut parte de o mare victorie. Nu, nu pe partie. Ca sa pot spune toata povestea, trebuie sa ne intoarcem in Septembrie 2012. In primavara anului 2012 am decis sa ma reapuc de schiul de performanta, dupa ce am renuntat la in 2010. Una din primele probleme, bineinteles, banii. Persoana care conduce sectia de schi alpin la clubul la care eram legitimat (CS Dinamo Bucuresti) mi-a transmis ca clubul nu ma poate sustine in nici un fel. Bine. Nu ma asteptam la altceva. Daca cineva nu crede in tine si in ceea ce vrei sa faci nu te va ajuta, normal. Adevarul adevarat este ca nici nu imi doresc ajutor de la cineva care nu crede in mine. Am inceput cautarile pentru un nou club. Dupa cateva intrebari adresate unor persoane apropiate mie in care am incredere, am fost indreptat catre CSM Sibiu. Am intrebat daca este posibil un transfer. Bineinteles. In Septembrie 2012 am ajuns la club sa vorbesc cu directorul, sa ma prezint, sa imi prezint planurile, sa vedem cu ce ma putea sustine. Am fost incantat de discutie. Mi-a promis 4 perechi de schiuri in Ianuaire. Perfect. Am plecat de acolo foarte fericit, cu promisiunea acelor schiuri. Semnat. Hai sa progresam umpic in timp. Oct-Noi-Dec-Ian (?) -Feb-Mar-Apr-Mai. Un sezon bun. Am descoperit Coborarea. Nu eram sigur de vreo calificare la Olimpiada. Schiurile promise nu le-am vazut. Asta e, m-am descurcat doar cu ajutorul primit de la facultate unde aveam bursa pentru sport nivelul 1 (din nou, multumesc Coventry). Un nou club m-a contactat. O oferta foarte buna. Data era 30 Mai 2013, joi. Vineri era ultima zi din perioada de transferuri (da, si al schi exista perioade de transferuri). Asa ca vineri dimineata m-am infiintat la biroul directorului CSM Sibiu, ca sa imi poata semna doua hartii ca sa ma declare liber. Nici macar o secunda nu m-am gandit la posibilitatea ca el nu va semna, stiind clar ca promisiunile lui nu au fost respectate iar eu la randul meu nu am concurat deloc sub 'culorile' clubului respectiv (nu am avut nici un concurs in tara, iar la concursurile din afara se considera ca mergi pentru tara, nu club). Discutia mea cu domnul director a decurs in felul urmator (nu sunt exact cuvintele dar asta e ideea):

Eu: Am o oferta foarte buna de la un alt club: asta asta asta si asta, am venit sa imi semnati acordul de transfer.
Director: Nu pot sa iti dau drumul acum, in primul rand trebuie sa convoc consiliul clubului ca sa poata aproba transferul, in al doilea rand parca am aveam o intelegere. Am facut un plan. Schiuri si tot.
E: Da, schiurile in ianuarie.
D: Da, in ianuarie!
E: .......Ianuarie a trecut.....?
D: A, nu ianuarie 2013, ianuarie 2014!
E:...................................

Efectiv am inghetat. Nu imi venea sa cred ce aud. Cam dupa 10 minute am plecat de acolo cu coada intre picioare. Nu imi amintesc mare lucru din ce s-a intamplat in acele minute. Incercam sa imi amintesc in detaliu discutia din Septembrie. Cam la jumatate de ora dupa ce am plecat de acolo am realizat ce se intamplase. Stai sa inteleg. Deci eu plec de la un club care nu ma ajuta cu nimic la altul care imi pormite ca ma ajunta peste un an si ceva? Nu. Imposibil. Ori a crezut ca sunt ghips de prost ori minte si cand doarme. Adevarul este ca nu eram pregatit pentru asa ceva. Nici in cele mai urate cosmaruri nu mi-am inchipuit ca nu o sa imi dea drumul, asa ca nu am pregatit absolut nimic pentru un eventual refuz. Perioada de transferuri a trecut. Urmatoarea: 15 Octombrie - 15 Noiembrie 2013. Asa ca urma sa astept pana atunci, cu speranta ca atunci se va rezolva in vreun fel. Incredibil. Asa a inceput o vara foarte stresanta. Din nou, sa progresam pana in prezent. Iun-Iul-Aug-Sep-Oct. Calificat pentru Olimpiada. In momentul in care am aflat ca sunt calificat a fost o senzatie unica. Eram la mine in camera, in Brasov. Singur acasa. Am sarit in sus de bucurie, am tipat, si am plecat in alergare prin casa in speranta ca gasesc pe cineva sa imbratisez. Epic fail. Pana la urma am imbratisat purcelusul de plus. Suficient. Fericirea mea nu a durat mult, pentru ca dupa 5 minute mi-am amintit de problema mea, oferta care mi-a fost facuta si de cel ce nu trebuie numit. Mi-am zis: 'Dracu. Sigur o sa-mi dea drumul acuma...' Bineinteles in acel moment poate aveam varianta sa ma duc acolo sa incerc sa negociez ceva pentru noul sezon avand in vedere Olimpiada si sa o luam de la capat. Nici sa ma tai :). Chiar daca mi ar fi oferit o oferta de 3 ori mai mare decat oricine, nu as mai fi schiat pentru ei. Nu lucrez pentru sau cu rea credinta (sa spunem frumos rea credinta).

   Salvarea mea a venit, din nou, de la Catalin Leonte. Da, acelasi Catalin Leonte care m-a ajutat cu materialele necesare pentru pregatirea schiurilor. M-a intrebat daca as dori sa ma mut la ASC Corona Brasov, club a carei sectie de schi alpin o conduce. Bineinteles...dar transferul. 'Lasa ca vedem ce putem face.' Pot spune cu mandrie ca incepand de astazi, dupa o vara plina de stres (nu in mica parte din cauza clubului), sunt transferat.

   Schiul este un sport costisitor. Poate sa ajunga de la 5000 la 50.000 de euro pe sezon depinzand de obiectivul, ambitiile, nivelulul si posibitatiile fiecaruia concurent in parte. Orice este de ajutor. Buget mai mare, posibilitati mai mari, vise mai mari. Astazi a fost al doilea mare pas ca importanta de cand am decis sa ma reapuc de schi. Primul, desigur, fiind calificarea la Olimpiada.

   Multumesc Catalin Leonte. Incepand de astazi, fac parte din familia ASC Corona Brasov. Ma simt mai increzator ca niciodata. Doar un singur lucru ramane de facut.

GAS GAS GAS !!!!

The Devil's Playground (ENG)

     A lot of things happened this last weeks. But the most important one was today.

     First of all I would like to apologize for the fact that I did not write in the last period. I am in Hintertux (AUT) training and I have problems connecting to the internet at my current accommodation. I am actually at a bar writing right now.

     As I was saying, today was a great victory for me. No, not on the slope. To tell you the full tale we need to go back to September 2012. In the spring of 2012 I decided to resume skiing, after quitting in 2010. One of my first concerned was, of course, the finances. The man in charge of alpine skiing at the club I was a member of (CS Dinamo Bucuresti)  made it clear I would get no support whatsoever from the club. Fair enough, I expected it. Somebody who dose not believe in you will never help you. Truth be told, I don't want help from people who do not believe in me. The search for a new club began. After asking some people close to me for some advice, I was pointed in the direction of CSM Sibiu. I asked if it was possible, and so it was.In September 2012 I went at the club to meet the director, tell him my goals and see what he could help me with. I was very happy after that discussion. He promised me 4 pairs of skis in January. Perfect. I left his office very happy, knowing the help I was about to get in January. Signed. Now lets fast forward a bit. Oct-nov-dec-jan (?)- feb- mar-apr-may. Good season. Discovered Downhill. It was yet uncertain if I would qualify for the Olympics. The promised skis were nowhere to be seen. Thankfully I managed to have a good season with the help of my university, where I was a Level 1 Sport Scholar (again, thank you Coventry). A new club contacted me, offered me a great deal. The date was 30 may 2013, Thursday. Friday was the day of the transfer window (yes, we also have transfer windows). So naturally Friday morning I was at the offices of CSM Sibiu, so the director could sign some papers making me free and available for the new club. I didn't think, even for a second, that I would have problems there, especially since the club did not give me what was promised and I did not do any race for them (I did no race in Romania and when you race abroad it is considered you are racing for country, not club). My discussion with the director (not exact words but this is the idea):

Me: I have a great offer from another club this this this and this, I came so you could sign my release and allow me to move forward in my career.
Director: I cannot let you go. First off all it would take weeks to call the board and approve your transfer. Secondly, we talked about this. We started to make a plan. The skis and everything.
M: Yes, the skis in January.
D: Yes, January!
M: .........January has passed...?
D: No no no....we didn't  talk about January 2013, we talked about January 2014!
M: .........................................................................

I froze. I could not believe what I was hearing. After about 10 more minutes I left his office with my tail between my legs. I don't remember what happened in those minutes, mainly because I was trying to remember in detail our conversation from September. After another half hour I finally started to realize what just happened and got angry. So let me get this straight. I am looking for a new club so I could get some support, they promise me something in one year (maybe) and I accept? No. Impossible. Either he thought I was stupid either he lies in his sleep. In reality, I was not ready. Not in my worst nightmares did I even consider he would not let me go, so I had nothing prepared for a eventual refusal. Transfer period passed, next one 15 October - 15 November 2013. So I would have to wait until then, hoping somehow I would manage to get out of this predicament. Amazing. So began a very stressful summer. Fast forward again. Jun-Jul-Aug-Sep-Oct. Qualified for the Olympics. The moment I found out I was qualified it was the best feeling. I was in my room in Brasov. There was nobody else home. When I saw that position 468 I jumped up in celebration running around the house to find somebody to hug. Epic fail. I hugged my friend the pig in the end. Good enough. The celebration did not last long, because at about 5 minutes after I remembered my whole predicament, the offer I lost and the one that shall not be named. I thought to myself: 'Shit. I am qualified. He will never let me go now.' Of course I had the option to go there and actually talk about the new season, the Olympics and how we could start over. No way in hell :). Even if he offered me the triple of what anybody else would, I still would not ski for them. I do not work or operate under bad faith (to put it nicely).

   My salvation in the end was, yet again, Catalin Leonte. Same Catalin Leonte who helped me in the summer providing me with the wax and tools of the trade. He asked me about joining ASC Corona Brasov, club under his leadership. Yes of course....but the transfer. 'Leave that up to us.' I can proudly say that, today, after a whole summer of stress (in no small part because of the club), I am transferred.

   Skiing is a expensive sport. It can go from 5.000 to 50.000 euro a season, depending on your goals, your level, your ambitions, your possibilities. Every little bit helps. Bigger budget, bigger dreams, bigger possibilities. Today was the second biggest step since I resumed my career. Qualifying to the Olympics is the first.

   Thank you Catalin Leonte. Starting today, I am a part of the ASC Corona family. Feeling more confident than ever. One thing left to do.

GAS GAS GAS !!!!

Love and Marriage

     My dear friends Charlotte Crowley (USA) and Jere Junnila (FIN) met each other in the welcome week at Coventry University in September 2010. I was also in the welcome week and I met Charlotte in the same time as Jere. I lived with him after that in the first year of uni and could see them grow. Now they just got married. August 24 is the date. Sadly enough I could not be there. They did it anyway, without me :(. Now I am visiting them in their current place of residence (Turku, FIN) and I can definitely say I have never seen them as happy as they are now. Everything fits. I wish they have a long and happy life together. And for sure I will be there for the next big event in their life (I am pretty sure they will refuse to do the next one without me anyway).

     Dragii mei prieteni Charlotte Crowley (SUA) si Jere Junnila (FIN) s-au intalnit in ´welcome week´ la Coventry University in Septembrie 2010. Si eu am participat la aceasta saptamana si am cunoscut-o pe Charlotte in acelasi timp cu Jere. Am locuit cu el primul an de facultate si am putut sa iau parte la inceputul lor de relatie. Acuma s-au casatorit. August 24 este data exacta. Din pacate nu am putut ajunge la acest eveniment. Pana la urma s-au casatorit si fara mine :(. Acuma insa sunt in vizita la ei la actuala lor rezidenta (Turku, FIN) si pot spune cu mana pe inima ca nu i-am vazut niciodata atat de fericiti. Totul se potriveste. Le doresc o viata lunga si prospera impreuna. Si cu siguranta voi fi acolo la urmatorul eveniment important (sunt sigur ca nu vor accepta sa il faca fara mine oricum). 

In skiing...sometimes...

     This may come as a complete shock to some people, but in skiing, sometimes you fall! In all seriousness, Bode Miller says in his book that falling (crashing) is a part of skiing. A part of racing. If you don't crash once in a while it means you are doing something wrong. Happened to me last week. Quite nasty as well. Giant Slalom, first day of gates. Could not ski for a few days. It is for the first time in my career that I cannot train because of crashing. But no worries. I understood what there was to understand about the incident and all is perfect. In the Youtube clip Herman Maier has a nasty crash in Downhill at the 1998 olympic games. 2 days after this he goes on to win the Gold medal at Giant Slalom.

     Ceea ce urmeaza sa va spun probabil ca o sa va socheze dar...la schi...cateodata cazi! Serios vorbind, Bode Miller avertizeaza in cartea sa legat de acest aspect. Cazaturile fac parte din schi. Fac parte din concurs. Daca odata la ceva vreme nu cazi, inseamna ca nu faci ceva cum trebuie. Am patit-o saptamana trecuta. Destul de nasol, in porti in Slalom Urias. Nu am putut schia cateva zile. Este pentru prima oara in cariera mea cand nu ma pot antrena din cauza unei cazaturi. Dar nu e problema. Am inteles ce era de inteles dupa incident si totul este in regula. In filmuletul alaturat de pe Youtube, Herman Maier cade destul de nasol la Coborarea din cadrul olimpiadei din 1998. 2 zile mai tarziu, el castiga medalia de aur la alta Slalom Urias.

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Sport H&N

     Finally managed to get myself some pairs of skis and boots. Many thanks to the professionals at Sport H&N from Reith in Alpbachtal (AUT). Always very friendly and helpful people who make sure you get exactly what you need.

     In sfarsit am reusit sa imi procur niste perechi de schiuri si clapari. Multumiri profesionistilor de la Sport H&N din localitatea Reith in Alpbachtal (AUT). Mereu foarte prietenosi si se asigura ca ai exact ce iti trebuie.

Pimp my ride

     It something I always wanted to do. Ever since my first training camps when I saw the good ski teams having written on their car the names of their respective countries. I don't know how it was for them, but for me it's a motive of great pride. And now I am starting to get to a level where I feel I deserved it. Therefore...I pimped my ride! Thank to the people at printuri.eu for making this possible!

     Ceva ce mi-am dorit mereu. Din primele mele cantonamente atunci cand eram copil si am vazut echipele puternice de schi cu numele tariilor pe masini. Nu stiu cum se simteau ei, dar pentru mine este un motiv de mandrie. Acum in sfarsit incep sa ajung la un nivel la care simt ca merit. Asadar...mi-am tunat masina! Multumesc domnilor de la printuri.eu pentru tot ajutorul!

Feels So Good

     On the snow again. First time I ski on the Atomic double-deck and with the new GS radius. Dose not seem so much more different than the old radius...but I guess I will feel more of a difference when I start skiing in gates again. Other than that...skiing after 5 months...feels great. Location: home...Moltaller Gletscher.

     Pe zapada din nou. O noua experienta, prima oara cand schiez pe Atomicul cu double-deck cat si pe noul radius la Slalom Urias. Nu pare a fi foarte mare diferenta intre radiusul nou si cel vechi, dar probabil voi simtii mai bine acest aspect in momentul in care ma voi da in porti. In afara de asta...pe schiuri dupa 5 luni...placere mare. Locatia: acasa...Moltaller Gletscher.

SWIX

     As I have told you in one of my articles from a few weeks before, a important step was taken for this season. This was made for me by mister Catalin Leonte, who was kind enough to help me with the wax and other tools of my trade. The wax has arrived so, again, thank you dear mister Leonte. Another thank you goes out to the distributor of Swix in Brasov, trough the person of Victor Guliciuc, for giving me 2 vital sets of poles for the continuous progress of my career.

 
     Dupa cum am povestit cu cateva saptamani inainte, un pas important a fost facut pentru pregatirea noului sezon. Pasul a fost facut pentru mine de catre domnul Catalin Leonte, care a fost atat de amabil incat m-a ajutat cu ceara si restul sculelor de care am nevoie. Au ajuns toate, asadar, din nou, va multulesc domnule Leonte. As vrea sa mai adaug niste multumiri si catre distribuitorul Swix din Brasov, reprezentat de domnul Victor Guliciuc, pentru cele 2 perechi de bete care sunt si ele la fel de vitale pentru acest sezon.