Are, Sweden – The locals all speak English, and it’s a welcome change of scenery from the traditional ski stops in the European Alps.
Vail’s Lindsey Kildow and Californian Julia Mancuso are comfortable at these world championships. With Sunday’s super-G postponed, the Americans spent the day sleeping in and shopping.
“I really like being in Are and Sweden. It’s a little bit different, and changes it up from the normal World Cup season in central Europe,” Mancuso said. “It’s lots of fun. There’s good restaurants. It’s fun to be in a little ski town. It’s kind of like where I grew up (Squaw Valley, Calif.).
“Being in Sweden, it’s a new atmosphere,” she said. “We settled into condos and it sort of feels like home right now.”
Even if it feels like home, the skiers still miss their families.
“My little sister, who is 3, went skiing on my run yesterday – Julia’s Gold at Squaw Valley,” Mancuso said. “I wish I was there.”
While Mancuso slept in, Kildow went out and bought snow boots.
“It’s been snowing and I definitely needed them. My tennis shoes aren’t really cutting it,” Kildow said. “I really like Are. It’s nice, everyone speaks English and it’s kind of just a different atmosphere than we’re used to. Hopefully, the weather will get better, but powder skiing is good for a while.”
Kildow won the last race, a super-G before the worlds in San Sicario, Italy.
Mancuso had a U.S.-record streak of five straight top-three finishes last month. She won two bronze medals at the last worlds and a giant slalom gold medal at the Olympics, confirming her status as a big-event performer.
