BLOG: My 2013 winter has definitely been an eventful one on and off the snowboard. I have been based in Breckenridge, Colorado USA since November 26th training with my Coach Jarrod Wouters. I have been spending my summers in Breckenridge since I was 14 (now I'm 18!). I have two younger brothers who snowboard so my family comes along too. I've been training with Jarrod since I was 12 years old in an Australian program called TSC (Transitionist Snowboard Camp).

Our competition schedule this year didn't start until early January so I had a month of training before the first World Cup. In the lead up to the Copper Mountain World Cup I learnt a few new tricks that I was hoping to take to the contest. Unfortunately it snowed heavily the night before and all the girls were forced to taper back their runs to even make it down the course. I ended up 20th in the Copper Mountain World Cup.

After one rest day we were off to the next event on the World Tour- the FIS World Championships held in Quebec, Canada. I competed in Quebec last year and placed 6th so I was very excited to come back and repeat a top 10 finish. Unfortunately I fell in practice and suffered a mild concussion. I was cleared to compete but ended up 13th. Not too far off my goal of a top 10.

The next stop on the tour was Sochi, Russia but unfortunately the slopestyle event was cancelled due to lack of snow. Instead the team took a four-day trip to Blue Mountain Canada for an event called the Canadian Shield. This was a not an Olympic qualifier event so we were really just using it as a practice run for the coming World Cups. After a great practice day I ended up winning the qualifying round but placing 3rd in finals. The next morning after the contest we were back off to Breckenridge.

A week after that we headed to the second last World Cup of the season in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic. It was an interesting course in Czech but after 3 training days I got used to it and was feeling good heading into the contest. However on contest day I took the jump a little big and landed heavy on my right foot. I was in considerable pain but decided I wanted to compete. My coach strapped my foot and I took my contest runs. I managed to land my first run but couldn't put down my second run. I ended up in 25th, the next day I woke up and my foot was seriously bruised and swollen. I went to the medical centre and the x-rays came back showing I had broken my 5th metatarsal (a bone in my foot).
   
And that news brought my season to an end. I am on crutches now for the next 4 weeks. I miss out on the final World Cup in Spain and the US Nationals but I will be well recovered for the Southern Winter! I’ve had an awesome time this season on the World Cup Tour and can’t wait to get back on the board in a month or so.

Visit my website for more information http://www.laurenstaveley.com

Lauren