Welcome to My Blog
Join me on my journey as an Olympian representing Puerto Rico in the thrilling world of skeleton racing. Here, I share the highs, lows, and everything in between—from training and competing to personal stories and reflections. Whether you're an athlete, dreamer, or just curious, I hope my experiences inspire you to chase your own dreams and push boundaries. Let’s go for greatness together!
Korea World Cup #1 & #2
Korea Races: Noodles, Warm Weather, and Car Rental Disaster
My recent trip to Korea for races was, well, an adventure. It all started with a 16-hour flight—the longest I’ve ever been on. By the time I landed, I was stiff, sleepy, and very ready for some noodles. Spoiler: Korea delivered on the noodle front. I probably ate enough to fuel me for weeks, and honestly, I’m not complaining.
The weather, however, wasn’t quite as cooperative. It was warm—great for exploring but terrible for skeleton racing. Here’s why: I’m always toward the back of the starting order due to last year’s ranking. Even though I’m ranked in the top 30 globally, which is no small feat, the way this sport works, you really need to be in the top 15 to get those prime start spots. And with skeleton being as competitive and stacked as it is, cracking the top 15 is hard.
Unfortunately, in warm weather, the ice degrades fast. By the time it’s my turn, the track is significantly slower than it was for the earlier athletes. It’s frustrating, but it’s the reality of the sport, and it just means I have to fight even harder every time I race.
But wait, there’s more—because what’s an international trip without some unexpected drama? Early in the trip, the rental car company realized I had the wrong international driver’s license and took my car back. Yep, no car. I was stranded and panicking about how I’d get to the track every day. Thankfully, another athlete came to my rescue and gave me rides every day, proving yet again how amazing and supportive the skeleton community can be.
Despite the challenges—slow ice, warm weather, and a very inconvenient car situation—it was a memorable trip. Competing at this level is never easy, but every race is an opportunity to learn and grow. Plus, I’ve got plenty of stories to tell and noodles to miss until the next adventure.
Here’s hoping for cooler weather, faster ice, and no more rental car disasters next time! 😉
Altenberg World Cup #3
Altenberg Adventures: Snowstorms, Sleep Deprivation, and a Solid Run
Where do I even begin with my trip to Altenberg? Let’s just say it was a week of chaos, cold, and a little bit of triumph at the end. Buckle up—this one’s a ride.
It all started with what can only be described as the flight from hell. A record snowstorm blew in, and I spent six hours sitting on a plane that wasn’t going anywhere. After what felt like forever, the flight was finally canceled, and the next adventure began: trying to get our luggage. Spoiler: that was no easy task. With no flights out, I ended up sleeping in the airport—a true Olympian’s life of luxury.
By the next day, we were delayed again for no apparent reason. People were not happy, and honestly, neither was I. Eventually, we boarded, and after a 14-hour flight (yep, that’s right, fourteen), I finally touched down in Germany. But the journey wasn’t over yet. I still had a 5-hour drive to Altenberg ahead of me.
Now, let me tell you, driving after all that chaos was rough. I was so tired I had to keep pulling over, getting out of the car, and walking around in the freezing cold just to stay awake. But hey, I made it, and by the time I arrived, I was more than ready to hit the ice.
Training in Altenberg was actually great—finally, something was going my way! But the weather wasn’t done messing with us just yet. This time, snow came down in full force, and it was so heavy that we ended up with a one-heat race. That’s rare in skeleton, but when Mother Nature shows up, you just roll with it. My run, thankfully, was solid, and I was really happy with how I performed.
After the race, I was beyond ready to crash, but of course, there was no time for that. I had to pull an all-nighter to make it to the airport for my 8 a.m. flight to the next stop: Latvia. Talk about running on fumes!
Despite the madness—snowstorms, long flights, sleepless nights, and all—I walked away with a good run and some wild stories. Altenberg, you were exhausting but unforgettable. On to the next adventure! Here’s hoping for smoother travels (and maybe a nap or two) in Latvia. 😉