“Welcome to the United States Alpine Ski Championships!” the announcement came over the loudspeakers. “Our last skiers are preparing for their runs and will begin after a short intermission. Up first will be hometown girl, Maya Palmer!”
Maya stood with her coach, her Uncle Jimmy. She had been excited to learn that her first national championships would be held at her parents’ resort. Now that it was nearly time for her run, she was nervous. She was the youngest competitor, and she had a lot to prove. If she fell, people would remember. If she won, people would remember that, too. Either way, her performance would be memorable.
“Deep breaths, Maya,” Jimmy told her softly. “You know this run and the snow on this hill. You know exactly where to pull back and where to push. You’ve got this.
