Bothered by a bad back and new equipment, the Californian could salvage a disappointing season with a big performance at the upcoming World Championships in Val d’Isere, France, Feb. 3-15.

“On a year where our team was stronger, I would have struggled to qualify. But none of the girls are really doing awesome besides Lindsey (Vonn), so luckily I can still do all my events,” Mancuso said Thursday after World Cup downhill training was canceled for the third straight day.

Read the Entire Article at USA Today

Hey hey…

What was the deal with my Saturday Zauchensee Combined performance? Arrrrgh… just caught an edge in the downhill part of the Combined event. A little groove flung my turned-in ski suddenly to the outside and took my momentum off course and careening straight towards the fence with onlookers frozen in disbelief! Turns out those spectators were crapping in their pants, thinking I was not going to be able to stop before hitting the fence. Ohhhh boy… lucky I stopped in time.

Today’s another day… just finished inspection and am chillin in my bus waiting for start time. Wish me luck.

Here’s something I wrote a few days ago on Tina Maze’s clutch performance in Maribor…

It’s been a couple of days since the Maribor races and the big theme of the weekend was no doubt CLUTCH PERFORMANCE.

Tina Maze, one of the best Slovenian skiers had in recent years not lived up to her earlier dominance. She seemed to struggle in the 2 seasons after the 06 Torino Winter Games and so many probably wrote her off.

But this year, she’s come back with serious vigor and the country of Slovenia was abuzz with hopes that perhaps she could put in a strong showing at the Maribor races.

With all eyes on her, she came ripping down the mountain during Saturday’s GS, at every split in the green, the crowd roaring, every moment more energized than the last. Her first GS run put her solidly in the top 5 and the anticipation for the 2nd round was palpable.

There were thousands of crazy screaming Slovenians on hand. I don’t know what might have been going through her mind at the time, but I can imagine that many would be totally daunted by the whole experience: all eyes, all expectations on YOU! I mean, my success was more of a sneak attack. No one really pegged me to win the GS gold in Torino or even really end up 3rd overall in the 06/07 season, so I swooped in under the radar.

Tina on the other hand must have felt a ton of pressure. Well, if she did, then she really didn’t show it, because as soon as she charged out that gate, you could almost feel that victory was imminent. Each turn around a gate was confirmation of that and the crowd just exploded. 3 gates left, made it! 2 more, yes, 1 more… holy crap, she’s going to pull it off! She’s IN THE GREEN! The crowd is going nuts!

What a cool moment in skiing and a great moment for Tina and Slovenia.

Even in personal defeat (I didn’t do too well), I feel blessed to still be able to feel happiness in others’ success.

See you next time!

XOXO,
Jules

Hi There Everyone!

Well, as I continue on my journey to find my MOJO (I just came in 24th in the Zauchensee Downhill), I always remind myself that there are countless people out there in the world who are less fortunate than I.

I’m not saying my struggles on the hill aren’t a personal challenge, but in relation to what others go through, my thing is peanuts.

That’s why my team and I are once again throwing a HUGE CHARITY AUCTION, selling off my autographed race bibs, US Ski Team Jackets, Speed Suits, skis, helmets, gloves and much much more!

When: February 1st – February 15th, 2009 during the World Championships.

Where: http://JuliaMancuso.com, RIGHT HERE!

Last year we raised over $7000 for Right to Play on just auction items! My sponsors were so inspired about all of the giving going on by you that they then chipped in with more money. All in all with your contributions, Chemmy and my sponsors as well, we raised over $30,000, money that went to Right to Play benefiting children in poor countries who have virtually nothing.

Let’s do it again this year! Make sure to sign up on the list (on the right) so we can send you all the details!

We will be previewing many of the items in the next few days.

Stay well and MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP ON THE RIGHT!

Ciao,
Jules

Every so often, you need to take a step back and reassess. In December my coaches and I thought it would be best if I took off after La Molina and hit a FIS Race.

And here it is… a little video of me going back to the minor leagues for training.

{flvremote}http://nonmembervids.s3.amazonaws.com/Julia_Dec_FIS.flv{/flvremote}

I didn’t do so well in that race. Ooops…

This weekend is a GS and Slalom in Maribor, Slovenia. Looking forward to it… the hill is good, nice and icy, like I like it! See you there or on TV!

XOXO,
Jules