So last entry was that the ice had FINALLY gone on the track. After almost nine months of waiting the epic moment was here. But....I was on the sidelines.

Fast forward one week from the opening of the track and the World Cup(WC) Japanese team arrived to join in the Canadian National team's training time. I just happened to be weight training at the University (where I do my dryland training now) and I saw the familiar and friendly faces of my Japanese sliding peers. And...in speaking to Koshi (WC slider with THE coolest sliding helmet out of the bunch of us all! - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kazuhiro-Koshi/264878238073#!/album.php?aid=144740&id=264878238073) I learned that the America's Cup(AC) Japanese team would be arriving the next week to start training in their own booked ice time.

One email from Koshi to set me up with the AC coach (BAMBA-SAN!!) and it was arranged that I could join the Japanese crew and split the cost of their ice time! And just like that...I was on the ice finally!

Three days of sliding in Calgary - with, might I add, STUNNING weather- where I was also joined up again with my travel mate of the past two seasons (New Zealand phenom who won back the 2nd WC spot for the women for NZ - Katharine Eustace) and my season was off and running. I was on the ice. The sun was shining and very warm. Surrounded by good friends and fantastic peers (I swear the Japanese always have a smile on their faces). All was good in the world again.

And all thanks to the Japanese. So all I can say to them is...BLESS!!!! You guys are amazing!