When the Sochi Olympics were on TV a year ago, Alice McKennis couldn’t bring herself to watch women’s ski racing, because it would have sharpened the sadness she was feeling about not being there.
In March 2013, the downhiller from Glenwood Springs while racing in Germany. She attempted to make a comeback for the Olympics, but after five races last season she realized her body wasn’t ready. and began preparing for this year.
Like Lindsey Vonn, McKennis was a long way from where she wanted to be during the Olympics.
“I didn’t really want to deal with the emotional stress of watching,” McKennis said. “I stayed up for some of the men’s races, because whether you’re there or not, I want to see our guys go. I enjoyed watching some of the other sports, but I was definitely glad when it was over. It felt a little better, once it was all said and done.”
McKennis has been back racing this season in the World Cup with hopes of competing in the world championships 50 miles from where she grew up — if she makes the team.
“I feel like Beaver Creek will be kind of redemption for me after missing Sochi,” McKennis said. “I’ve had my sights set on it since I decided to call it (quits) early last season.”
But teams are allowed to enter only four racers per event at the world championships and Olympics — half the number the U.S. typically enters in World Cup races. Vonn, Julia Mancuso and Stacey Cook have the team made based on World Cup results. The fourth spot in downhill figures to go to McKennis or Laurenne Ross when teams are announced Wednesday.
It’s possible McKennis and Ross will be named to the team, then have to compete for the fourth spot in downhill training runs next week.
In downhill, the U.S. women’s team was the strongest in the world in 2013, based on World Cup points, and it is again this season. The competition within the team to make the world championships roster is intense and emotional.
“That’s a hard thing to juggle,” McKennis said. “We spend so much time together, and we’ve known each other forever. You develop really strong relationships and really strong bonds. It can definitely be difficult, because you’re fighting for this spot that you want. You want to race at all costs, and you have to compete against some of your best friends.
“But at the end of the day, whoever ends up racing, it’s because they’ve earned it. You have to either be excited for yourself, if you’re competing, or excited for your teammates because you know they’ve put in the work and they’ve earned it.”
McKennis made the Olympic team in 2010, her first season on the World Cup, when she was 20. In January 2011, she fractured the tibial plateau in her left leg but was back on the tour the following season. Her put her on the world championships team that year, but in March of that season she fractured the tibial plateau in the other knee. This one was much more severe.
In five World Cup downhills this season McKennis has three top-20 results, her best being 11th on Jan. 18 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Her knee is OK.
“It may not feel as good as it once did, but I’m still lucky and strong and healthy enough to do what I want to do,” McKennis said. “I’m finally feeling really good physically and mentally getting more confidence, feeling good about my skiing. I think my skiing technically is the best it’s been in several years. I’m psyched.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616, jmeyer@denverpost.com or twitter.com/johnmeyer
