On Tour With Kaylin: Missing my friend Caroline

The ski season has officially begun. And something is not quite right. On my way to Calgary I couldn’t get it out of my head. Something is amiss. At first I thought what might be bothering me was that I hadn’t gotten the results that I had so badly wanted in Panorama and Lake Louise, my first World Cups this season, but after very little introspection I realized that wasn’t it. Then it came to me: I missed my best friend and teammate Caroline Lalive. Caroline is an amazing woman — she is an extremely accomplished ski racer, but more importantly she is an incredible person.

THE SKI SEASON has officially begun. And something is not quite right. On my way to Calgary I couldn’t get it out of my head. Something is amiss. At first I thought what might be bothering me was that I hadn’t gotten the results that I had so badly wanted in Panorama and Lake Louise, my first World Cups this season, but after very little introspection I realized that wasn’t it. Then it came to me: I missed my best friend and teammate Caroline Lalive. Caroline is an amazing woman — she is an extremely accomplished ski racer, but more importantly she is an incredible person. 
    I had the pleasure of spending one of my best summers ever training and laughing with her. She was on the road to make a remarkable comeback which was cut short in October after a season-ending crash on the Pitztal glacier that led to knee surgery. It was a blow to the whole team because she was such an integral part of our traveling family.
    Everyone needs a support group, and over the summer Caroline had become a significant part of mine. She is one of those people who you come across only a few times in life that people just gravitate toward because of her love of life and ability to make others feel good. Last spring, after a season of speed event success, I had the opportunity to train with and be a part of the speed team. I had spent a lot of time with the downhillers and their coaches, but it was always as a tech team transplant. Immediately it was a good fit; I was getting more speed training than ever before, the coaches were super positive and, like the tech team, I loved all the girls. Caroline and I instantly clicked. We decided to be roommates.
   This summer was a transition for both of us. She was coming back to the team after rehabbing an injury for two years, and I was the newbie. In her I found a kindred spirit. We both have the craziest sense of humor. People could hear our cackles of laughter well before we arrived anywhere. When we were training in Portillo one of the spanish girls that we were training with put it the most eloquently, “You two are like clowns, always laughing.”
    As competitors and teammates we pushed and encouraged each other. I have looked up to Caroline for years. At every race, she and Jonna Mendes, another close friend and amazing person, had a crazy amount of fun, yet when the time came, were able to focus completely on the task at hand and compete. I am never one to take myself too seriously, and when I saw these two elite athletes excelling doing just that it instantly gave me the confidence and reassurance that I can be my silly self and still be a serious competitor. Caroline and I kept the same mentality and operated that way all summer. We worked really hard, but we really had fun and never took the experience for granted.
    Even though Caroline isn’t rooming with me and riding up the chairlift with me every day we remain close. She builds me up and I build her up. Everyone needs someone that they can talk to about anything — your confidant, a best friend. She is that for me. We can talk about everything honestly and frankly which is such a wonderful blessing in life. But, above all, what we do best is making each other laugh.
    A few months ago, shortly after Caroline’s injury, I had a Völkl photo shoot in Salzburg.  After putting forth my best attempt at looking pensive I had to fill out a questionnaire. It was the normal stuff: best results, hobbies and then at the bottom it asked personal philosophy in one sentence. First of all, that is a tall order. How am I supposed to encompass everything I believe in one measly sentence? Then it came to me and I have Caroline, in large part, to thank, “Laugh frequently.” So simple, yet so accurate. One of the most treasured memories that I will take from ski racing is of Caroline laughing.
    I hope that you all can think of someone that brings joy into your life like Caroline does for me.  If someone does come to mind make sure to remind them how much they mean to you.  Especially during the crazy holiday season it is important to take a moment and thank the people you love for being in your lives. We take it for granted all too often. And that simple gesture can make a world of difference.

For now,
Kaylin

    P.S. — I have three wonderful friends and teammates, Hailey Duke, Katie Hitchcock, and Caitlin Ciccone, who held a wine tasting fundraiser on Dec. 4 in Aspen to help them pay for their expenses this season. Although they are on the U.S. Ski Team they are not fully funded and ski racing, as I am sure most of you are aware, is an extremely expensive sport. If you are interested in helping support Caitlin, Katie and Hailey, but weren’t able to attend the fundraiser, you can contact them directly:

caitc16@hotmail.com
khitcher12@hotmail.com
hduke85@yahoo.com