Co written by Kelly Vanderbeek and Rob van Bommel - Kelly Vanderbeek from Canada has hosted several ICF and Australian Canoeing productions for Sportscene. What most people might not know is that she is also an Olympic alpine skier who has reached the World Cup podium three times in her career. Her most cherished accomplishment came when she earned a bronze in the super-G at the famed Lake Louise course in Alberta, becoming the first Canadian female skier to reach the podium on home soil.

A knee injury has kept Kelly out of action for more than two years. The good news however is that she is training hard to come back and she is loving it. If you never have seen Kelly hosting one of the Sportscene productions take a look at the video below where she is wrapping up the 2011 World Championships Canoe Slalom in Bratislava, Slovakia. Also these productions (recorded live streams) with Jessica Fox in the Blue Mountains, Peter Kauzer answering questions from the fans and Daniele Molmenti in the kitchen, are definitely worth watching. 

Training for my return a glorious whirlwind, by Kelly Vanderbeek

In the last three-and-a-half days I have spent approximately 23 hours in the air, 10 hours in five different international airports, 6 hours driving to and from airports, and I've landed in four different time zones, three Canadian provinces and three different coutries.

Internal clock...what internal clock?

Jetlag? Nah, I'm a rock.

Starting in your first World Cup after over two years absent, heck ya! I joke, yet through this week of craziness it truly has been glorious. That's because this week has been filled with new beginnings that were years in the making.

To kick it off, I got to call my first race for Sportsnet. It was the women's World Cup slalom from Kranjsk-Gora, Slovenia. I got so into the race that I hope I didn't put my foot in my mouth too often! We taped it live to air and I really enjoyed the whole experience. The producers and team behind the camera were easy to work with - total professionals who enjoy thier job. I called the race along side Brad Fay, professional host, he kept things flowing so well that the hour passed before I knew it.

I'm now writing you from St. Moritz, Switzerland where I'll be back in a World Cup start gate after being absent for over two years due to injury. I'm now strong enough emotionally and physically to hit this slope!  From there, we'll see if I'm in a place to race. I will run the downhill training runs, then decide if I'll race on Saturday.

This whole week has come as a surprise and was organized very quickly (I was driving to the airport with my newly returned Russian visa approved passport, having my flights booked as I was en route!). It is true that I have had very little time on my Super G or downhill skis, however, I feel confident and will use this week to take that next step in my training.

I expected nerves to sneak in, but for now I'm happy to say I feel a true sense of normalcy. This is what I'm trained to do; this is what I'm meant to do. It was being on the operating table, in the rehab rooms, and endless months in the gym where I was uncomfortable. It's a good feeling to be normal again - and for me, that's in a World Cup DH start gate getting set to travel at over 120 km/h.

Ski racing never easy

Don't get me wrong, I don't expect this to be easy. Ski racing is never easy, but easy isn't what I signed up for. I do expect to go out there confidently, and strongly. I plan to attack the hill, but also to take a rounder 'calmer' line. I'm not looking to risk for a win. My hope is to come away from this week with more confidence and a strengthened passion for this sport. I also hope to see my knee react well to the added 'stress.'

This track is also my favourite. St. Moritz holds strong roots to my past with my first World Cup; first world championships; and family ties to my first coach Peter Bassin, all there.

For me, it's a second home on the circuit.

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