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Wow, long time no post!

Check out my Tumblr page if you like http://hannahtrigger.tumblr.com

Just got started, it's a great way to lose track of time :)

The latest from Russia

Time is flying by here in Russia with only a couple of days left. Since my comp I've been super busy checking out other events and making the most of this amazing experience. A photo says 1000 words right?! Here a some shots to see what I've been up to. I'll give more of an update soon but now I'm off to watch the Bobsled :)

Great atmosphere at the speed skating

McDonalds is free at the athlete dining hall.  Mogul girls Nicole and Taylah

Signing tees with Jarryd & Lavinia

Bex & I cheering for the best two countries

Janina just got 5th in Ski Halfpipe! So proud! I'm going to be her bridesmaid in November

Watching the skeleton racers fly by at 130km

The halfpipe 

The Endurance Village is amazing

Getty photo shoot on the rings with the skeleton team & silver medal aerialist Dave Morris

Opening Ceremony

Well that was amazing! I remember watching the Olympics as a kid and dreaming of one day walking in the Opening Ceremony. It's hard to believe that actually just happened. It was incredible!

We were all buzzing as we waited below the stadium eager to get out there. The feeling in the room was electric as they began the countdown to begin the parade and we could hear the roar from the crowd above. Marching up the tunnel into the bright lights of the Olympic Stadium wearing my Australian uniform, with friends by my side, will forever be one of the greatest moments of my life. I will cherish that memory till the day I die.

Davina and I from our seats after the march

Waiting below the stadium 

Lined up country by country

Aussie Bobsled Team

Moments before we entered the stadium

Oh what a night! Some photos from Harry Magiros :)

Made it to Sochi!

I have arrived! I flew into Sochi late Sunday night and was welcomed by Team Australia at the airport, then driven up to the Mountain Village at Rosa Khutor. Waiting in my room was a suitcase, a box and a wardrobe full of Australian uniform. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning and was up until the wee hours looking through all my new gear.

I've spent the last two days acclimatising and exploring the extensive Athletes Village. Today we checked out the gigantic Slopestyle course and took the gondola all the way to the top of the mountain where the views are nothing short of spectacular. 

I wanted to say thanks again to my friends for all the love and support. I've also been receiving so many kind messages on the Australian Team websites fan wall. http://sochi2014.olympics.com.au/fan-zone/fan-zone/fan-wall Big thanks to everyone from my old high school, Dromana Secondary College, who took over that page for a day. I was so stoked to read all the well wishes.

Stay tuned for more :)

Part of the athletes mountain village

You can't miss the Aussies

Local security

Some of the goodies waiting for me

Jump one on the super sized Slope course

Up top at Rosa Khutor

Amazing terrain and beautiful 360 degree views

Success at the last Olympic qualifier

It's long been a dream of mine to become an Olympian and I am so thrilled to have been selected to represent Australia at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

My journey began many years ago and it has been a long, hard road to get there. Two blown ACL's, 6 surgeries, 9 broken bones and fractures and 4 serious concussions were some setbacks I experienced along the way. I'm sure people thought I was crazy to keep going but I wanted it so badly, quitting was not an option.

My dreams were realised at the last Olympic Qualifier in Quebec, Canada. Going into the event I was positioned to qualify but there was still a slight chance I could get knocked out of the top 30 and lose my spot. My good friend Paula crunched all the numbers and made me a spreadsheet with all the other riders points, so I knew exactly where I stood and who I needed to beat.

All I had to do was land a safe run and that would pretty much guarantee my spot. It was still a little nerve wracking though! I was super stoked to put down my first run and take the pressure off. I was feeling pretty relaxed going into my second run and ended up improving my score by adding another trick.

The moment I finished my second run, I knew I had done it! I couldn't be knocked out of the top 30 and I knew I had just qualified for the Olympics. It was the greatest moment of my life!! Knowing I had just achieved everything that I had worked for and dreamed of for so long was an overwhelming sense of joy and relief. I will never forget that wonderful day.

I went the whole qualifying year without a coach or team and I'm so proud I was able to do it on my own. But I do get by with a little(a lot) help from my friends. I am so thankful to everyone who has helped me over the years. There is too many to list right now but I owe extra special thanks to my family and all my friends for their support. Trigger Brothers, Burton Australia, Oakley, Mt Hotham and all the Hotham crew. Amber, Alex, Steph, Ben Boyd and Paula Mitchell. And last but certainly not least Team New Zealand who have been there for me through thick and thin. I am so fortunate they took in a lone Australian and made me feel apart of their team. So thank you to all the Kiwi staff and athletes, especially Tom Willmott, Bex Sinclair, Rose Battersby, Janina Kuzma, Chris Rogers and Sarah Battson. I am forever grateful :)

Russia here I come!!

Wearing garbage bags in the rain during training in Canada

No rain, just ice for comp day in Quebec

Celebrating Australia day in Breck with Davina, Tori & Anna

Finland World Cup

I'm a little behind on this blog but there is more to come soon. In the meantime head over to Trigger Bros to see a quick write up of my trip to Finland. Click here --> http://bit.ly/1bbLreZ

New Zealand

For the last month I've been in New Zealand, training, competing and exploring what this beautiful country has to offer. 

I competed in the NZ Winter Games/World Cup where I placed 27th. I wasn't able to put down the run exactly how I had planned, but was happy to finish second highest Australian which helps with my ranking for the Olympics. 

We've had our fair share of bad weather days up the hill but luckily it's usually always nice back in town. On days off snow I've been doing plenty of hiking and mountain biking whilst taking in some awe inspiring views.

I'm looking forward to heading home in a few days to surf and watch Geelong in the AFL finals. Until next time, hari mai!

Beautiful sight from the top at Cardrona

Fins out in the mini pipe

Standing right in front of the pipe in another NZ cloud

 Mt Iron hike with my Kiwi friends

Sticky Forest mountain bike track

Stunning drive not far from Wanaka 

 With some lovely ladies of halfpipe

Jiayu Lu from China going bigger than the guys

Clutha River standing wave. Definitely need a wetsuit to surf here