2011 – Helene Valerie Fruhwirth

22. Februar 201128. Februar 2015

When does it get warmer?

What you are doing here over the winter? Yes this same question I am asking myself all the time, when I come home after a two hour XC ride and frozen fingers and toes. Normally I am writing my race reports from New Zealand our Morocco, South Africa or wherever.. But this winter I decided to stay at home to get some money for the coming race time.Last time it was so painful that I have to put my fingers under cold running water and increas the temperature step by step.. I nearly cried…So and for those who think I wore normal gloves… No I had this super winter biking gloves for over 50 Euros. Just the socks could have been better. So I bike around with my freeride bike and wait that my forks and rear shox get ready. Because I sent it to the service center. Thanks to Martin Pyffrader by the way, who update my FOX Suspension.

When i am not outside I am in the Fitness Center – Galaxy Fitness There I have the opportunity to train with this TRX Product. Its a loop training and it works. I really think its one of the funniest indoor training I did in a fitness center.

So apart from that I try to build up a Bike Coaching business with the founders, Thomas Bubla and Christian Zauner of the Vienna Bike Acadamy. You can already sign in for the courses. We have in the range from Basic up to Advanced, Business Events and Downhill Camps for girls only….

Or I do freelance graphic design jobs.
I looking forward to warm temperatures… and no frozen fingers..

bye bye Lene

Cirque Du Soleil

Seegrotte Hinterbrühl

Europeans largest under ground lake

2. April 201128. Februar 2015

Training, business, training, business.. I like it

I have many news again. The sun is shining and my legs are flying over the hills. At the moment I am a lot on my home track and on the home town hill. So i am jumping from my four cross bike to the enduro bike nearly everyday. The downhill bike i have to be honest isn’t much in use right now, compare to the other bikes… because I prefer pedaling up than pushing up, and the bike parks haven’t been open yet.
An other project I am very into right now is to make PR for my company, which I re-founded with two student friends, Thomas Bubla and Christian Zauner. The name is Vienna BIke Academy
We have a lot to offer. From Basic courses for those who are newbies up to Advanced and Woman Downhill camps. And the icing of the cake are our business events for companies, who want to use our offer as fringe benefit for the staff or as a goodie for loyal clients. Thomas and Christian are high educated sports scientists and Thomas was also a world cup rider.
So yes I hope this business will run well and I can pass my skills to other people.
My normal week is at the moment, training, phone calls, training, promo video, training, emails, training…. I like and tomorrow i will be the argus bike festival to promote the Vienna Bike Academy.

see you there? bye Lene

21. März 201128. Februar 2015

Blog Spot in 6 und Zwanzig Magazine

25. April 201128. Februar 2015

And the race must go on… Kalnica Slovakia

Some of you think hmm why is she not in South Africa. yes the times getting tough and I could not afford me to travel there. I have to save my money for the europe races and for living. So this weekend I travelled to neighbor country Slovakia and it was totally worth it in a village called Kalnica. Nice track, nice jumps and nice weather, nice company and race atmosphere. Cheap accomodation, cheap entry fees but also less price money. I had good training runs how you can see in my first GO PRO video (Thanks to Axel from Motionssports to supply me one HD Go Pro camera) my qualification run was good as well, I placed second behind a Czech girl 2,97 seconds behind. I was going for the win in my second run but she as well and he made it. I finished second (from 8 girls) with 2 seconds behind her and was still very happy about my race run, because it felt great. I didn’t make mistakes and I did all jumps, which I wanted.

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26. Juni 201128. Februar 2015

Back to Leogang – relaxing?

Last weekend i travelled again to Leogang because the IXS cup and the European 4x cup was going on. It was all the same apart from that I was this time by myself and i had to switch the car, my one had a break defect. My uncle lent me his own. Friday the Dh track was in a good shape and the sun was out. I really enjoyed riding it. The 4x track was fast. I had good practice runs and had really fun. It was a great preparation for the World champs there next year. The qualification run went well too. I was 2,7 seconds first. Ahead from Diana Maggraff from Equador and Neza Knez from Slovenia.
Saturday I felt very tired I could feel the races from the weeks before and was empty. It was quite hectic and exhausting to switch between 4x and downhill. And my batteries were finished. At the end the weather conditions turned into a storm and the 4X final race and the elite dh qualification got cancelled. I kept my first place from quali, which was great and I was okay with that because the race would have been on Sunday morning, where i had downhill practice.
Sunday was raceday in downhill and I felt allright but not 100 percent motivated to be honest I wanted to go home to relax for a bite. So was my race run. The track looked not anymore like a downhill track more than a battle field, so deep brake holes and mud lines that you could slice with your brake disc the mud. I found my way down but the time was really crap. I finished 12th. But I didn’t think about it much it was not feeling for racing and so it was fine for me, I can not be always top. (okay in four cross I won, so I can not be top everyday….)
This weekend I stayed at home did some nice XC laps and 4x trainings, RELAXING that it was I needed. Bye bye Lene

16. Mai 201128. Februar 2015

Podium in Czech Republic

Last weekend I competed in Czech Republic, just across the Slovakia border. This race counted again to this Slovakian- Czech downhill race series. The track + weather was nice, the organisation as well and the best was, I won. I was about 6 seconds faster than in my first run and so I won by 1,3 seconds in front of the Czech republic rider, Jana Bartova. (Totally we were about 10 girls) It was quite weird because the commentator didn’t speak English and my run wasn’t perfect, so I thought I didn’t win but I did…. I realized just after a while that I was first and so I missed this moment when you cross the finish line and listen to the results….and to be extremely happy when you hear you won – in my case it was more like “ah I won hmmm?”. The whole weekend I felt all right just the finish jump you can see on the picture makes me at the beginning some problems but for the race day I was well prepared. My next race will be the national champs at Semmering ( so come and watch if you are near)

11. Juli 201128. Februar 2015

Lets Free ride…

Let’s freeride. Yeah, yeah, yeah?Because of my whole in my pockets, I am not at the world cup in America. So I had two weekends of since I race at the IXS cup and European 4 Cup in Leogang. Where I won by the way the 4X and in the Downhill I placed 12^th.(Sorry for not informing you) After these 6 weeks of travelling and racing in the row I was empty and I took time to charge my batteries. Working and racing on a high level don’t fit together… So in this two weeks I had some nice hours on my xc fully and replaced many parts on my downhill bike, which was after the rainy races also finished… the bearings didn’t move any more..This weekend I felt for racing again so much that I travelled to Saalbach to the Dakine Freeride Festival, one of the biggest MTB events I have ever been in Austria. The people just get crazy here. Fancy bikes, fancy clothes and motivated spectators, pro riders, riders and distributors were everswhere. I competed in the Maxxis Dual Eliminator and the Scott Gang Battle. The Dual was going on Friday evening. I trained very well, felt good on the track and looked forward to ride it home. The race modus was not really fair. In Dual you have to tracks and normally every couple ride both lines and the one with the bigger time difference wins. But at this event we didn’t have a qualification. So the riders were picked by luck and the first said number could chose the line…… that wasn’t really satisfied for the athletes so neither was it for me. At the end we had to play Schnick schnack schnuck (stone, scissors, paper). I was dominating every run until the final, where I had the bad luck and got the left course, which was slower than the right course. I gave my best was jumping all the jumps pedalled hard at the end but didn’t make it. I place 2^nd behind Steffi Marth from Germany. I was quite disappointed but hmm what should I do we are both fast and she had the fortune on here side. But the champagne shower was so much fun….At the boys my team mate Hannes Slavik won in front of Guido Schugg (GER) and Johannes Fischbach (GER).
Next day, was Saturday and a new game was on, the Scott Gang Battle race. I have to say I am racing so long now but this race was the hardest race I have ever ever done. The track was about 12-15 min long, not difficult but the distance made it so hard. In my qualification went bad. I had no experience and chose a very stupid start place, my fault, so apart from this, I missed the start signal by 1-2 seconds and I got involved in a start disaster, in one crash, a many dusty clouds, risky passing manoeuvres, and got stuck behind a slower rider. I ended up 5^th from 29^th.Next day, race day I wanted to make it better. I choose the lefties place I could and it paid of well. This time I tried to concentrate on the start peep signal so much and on the first left turns. I told my self you have to be first at the turn. I was leading for a while got passed by another girl when we enter in the first turns. I stayed on the second position until the 1km pedal section. There my race was over. I stood up and pedalled but the others passed me one by one. I think because this is my weakness anyway, and they had this adjustable seat posts and could pedal way better than me. So I rode a solid run down and gave everything what I could. I finished with a time of 13min and 19 seconds. I placed 4^th. Even if I didn’t make it to the podium I am so proud on myself that I was leading at the top and gave my best.

First place was Ines Thoma, second Antje Krammer (GER) and 3rd Elke Rabeneder (AUT).
At the boys Mathias Stonig won with an incredible time of 11 minutes 09 seconds. Beeli Arminio (2nd) and Anrig Lukas (3rd)

results (click here)
Bye bye Lene

31. Mai 201128. Februar 2015

Austrian National champs at Semmering

This weekend the main event in the austrians‘ downhill scene was running and the fast women and men came together to get the gold medal around the neck.
The track (Semmering downhill track) was in a very good shape until it started to rain and it got really tricky and slippery. I knew the lines very well from my training before, but at the race weekend I had to think about a plan B at some sections because they changed so much. But still, the whole training paid off well and I felt confident and strong, and I ended up second, behind my team mate Petra Bernhard. Elke Rabeneder got third in the nationals and overall Jana Bartova from Czech got third. My first run on Sunday morning wasn’t that good because I had to pass an other rider. For the second run, the race run, I asked for changing the start order because I didn’t want to pass her again so, the fastet started first. I had not the perfect run, I was tired during my race run. I hit some sections just perfect and then others I was more a passenger on my bike than the rider. But to sum it up I am satisfied about my placement. Straight after the race I prepared myself to fly to Edinburgh, where I am at the moment and waiting for Steffi Marth, an other 4 X rider to head up to Fort Williams tomorrow. I am very excited to race 4 Cross again, which haven’t done this year yet. Just training. So yes I will keep you up to date how it goes here in lovely Scotland.

5. Juni 201128. Februar 2015

Fort William…10th place

So yes what should i say. I am angry about myself. Everything went well the last days. I had good practice runs and a good feeling a good qualification came 9th and in my first heat everything went wrong. I had a bad start, cased the jumps, lost the momentum, lost a passing maneuver and so I came 3rd and was out in the first round. How disappointing is that.
I will watch the DH race and cheer for my team mates. Fingers crossed they will make it better. and see you in Leogang Lene

14. Juni 201128. Februar 2015

Black or White

Black or white, lose or win, make it or crash, give everything or lose everything . I have to admit that’s the best way to explain the word racing and my life as a competitor. I live through this all the time and a smile is so much closer to a tear than you think. I nearly know anybody who is always on a winning streak, so neither I am.My World cup story begins in Scotland. Everything was planned in detail. I got on the plane by time, I got picked up by Pete Scullion, I had a place to stay in Edinburgh, got a cheap rental car, had the best travel mate, got my bike in one piece, I had a great accommodation in Fort Williams, the weather was great and stayed great, the 4x track suited me, training went perfect but yes now it comes the word BUT and the turning point in this story I messed up me first heat. I had horrible gate, I cased the first jump- the step down- the double- the other double, I was fighting all the time to catch up to her but in the stone field I nearly crashed and she was gone again. At the last straight I sprinted but I couldn’t make it. So yes I came all the way to get out in the first round how shattering is that? I looked the replay and couldn’t believe how bad my performance was. Finally I placed 10th. Melisa Buhl hugged me later seeing how sad I was and told me give yourself 24 hours and you will see you will feel better by then. It worked, I slept over it, I spent another day in Edinburgh, did some sight seeing and ate the best Indian food ever.

I came home on Tuesday, washed my stuff, had a long talk to my mental coach and get on the road again by Thursday morning. This time I had a big support with me, my mechanic Martin from Suspension Clinics and I felt confident for the upcoming races in Leogang, Austria. I decided to take part in both events downhill and 4X. I liked the track and I like Leogang but like always in Austria it was pouring down and I was the whole weekend just soaked and muddy. I take me hat off for those people who are out there the whole day to help the athletes, standing in the mud, carrying heavy back bags, spare wheels, pumps, trainers, gloves, goggles, tubes, giving the rider the umbrella and standing in the rain. Like Martin did for me, for free, just because he wanted to help me. This is for me having the heart on the right place. It was so good to not care about anything just your hands on the bar and ride. So did I. I trained a lot and had a tight schedule. But I found the right balance and had always enough power, when I needed it. Saturday I had downhill qualification run. I made a big mistake at the top section and missed the top 20th mark. I got 28th. I was disappointed but I had to get it out of my head to get ready for the 4 cross in the afternoon. And this afternoon was my time. I fought and raced I had never done before. It just went for it. Crash or win. Black or white and it paid off. I got 6th and was so happy. I couldn’t believe it. I made some good moves in the small final and nearly made in the first turn to lead the field. Next year there are the World champs in Leogang and after this performance I am confident for next year…. Yeah I like the white side can get used to it.

Here you find an interview sorry its german:

see my runs in freecaster.tv replay

minute 55
minute 69
minute 79

Thanks to all my sponsors Lene

20. Oktober 20115. Februar 2015

Mautern Season Finishing

Last weekend I packed my stuff the last time for this year together and drove to Mautern a little village between St. Michael and Liezen. A new track have been built by soe locals in a nature park and I was keen to see it. My expectations got fullfilled the track was long, technical, challangeing but what really disappointed me where the chair lift which took 24 minutes up and the temperatures in the morning, for sure minus, because the half of the track was frozen. But with right cloth and a nice place to stay i could resist and really enjoyed this race. I felt fine and took it very easy. I didn’t crash, did the big gap jump which many men didn’t do and placed on the podium, so check check check I was allright. Petra placed first, Elke second, and then me. In the overall, which I just found there that we have an Austria Extreme cup I placed 3rd too and got some money from the ÖRV: Thanks for that:-)

I say goodbye to this racing year and goodbye to Alpine Commencal. To sum it up it was year with ups and downs but luckily more ups than downs, no big injuries.

So I will keep you updated what i doing next year and which races, but I am pretty sure I move back to DH and will do some enduro and 4x races. bye bye Lene

23. September 20115. Februar 2015

Slovakian Race in Male Lucivna

Last weekend I raced in Slovakia. 3 1/2 half hours away from my town. I arrived very late about one o clock but it was enough to do couple of runs. Super nice new builded track, very technical and steep. The sun was shining the whole weekend and so the track was very dry, but better that than wet, because it would have been “fun“ to ride on the off camber parts. We were 6 women. In my qualification run I crashed and got stoked between two trees. In my race run all went well, I did just few mistakes, like braking at some sections to much. I finished 3rd. half second behind the second one and 8 behind the first one. I was satisfied with the podium place and it was great practice.

Bye bye Lene

12. September 20115. Februar 2015

World Champs in Champery /Eurobike/ next year

Last weekend I was racing at the Worlds in Switzerland. I was nominated by national team, so super happy about that, because yeah World champ means the Worlds best riders..

I was nominated for both disciplines downhill and 4x but i thought doing one and doing this well is better then stress around with both and do both bad. hmm I am still not sure if it was the right desicion because I ended up 11th in 4x which was absolutly not that what I had expected. Medal was my goal and after my qualify in Val di Sole 4th place I thought it could happen, why not. I was well prepared and felt good. But yes thats 4x and it didn’t work out for me this time. I didn’t feel good on the track and I switched around my bikes 4x fully or hardtail 1 time – that was my question.. I got a new 4x fully frame from commencal (thanks for that commencal andorra). In the finals i decided to got with the hardtail- i had a good gate but let the first corner open and I got 3rd and the track didn’t have many options to pass, so I stayed 3rd and was out.

I was disappointed but how i said thats racing and next time I make it.

In the same night from friday to saturday my team mate Hannes and I drove (okay he drove i slept most of the time, thanks Hannes ) to ther Eurobike and we arrived there just in time. Running around to see all my sponsors, get the deals, get new deals and the most important thing get a new frame sponsor, because I left the team Alpine Commencal.

I want to say thank you to the two physios Angie and Margot, Elke the best room mate every, Bernd and Heinz the coaches and to all my sponsors, Alex from Acros, Roland from Syncros, Matt from Royal, Denise from Iriedaily, Hans Jörg from DVS and Ogio, Axel from Go Pro, Guiseppe from Spy, Tom from 661, Helge from Shimano, Niccolo from San Marco, Andreas from Michelin, Martin from Fox Shox, Daniel and Chris from e13, Anja from Urban Tool, Dennis from Formula, Kathi from Wagrainbikepark, Michael from Chiba Vision, my mechanic Matrin from Suspension Clinics, Roland the trainer from the Galaxy fitness center and Michi the best bike shop boss ever (ciclopia)

I hope I didn’t forget some one if yes I am sorry.

23. August 20115. Februar 2015

Where is my luck?

Last weekend I raced in Val di Sole. (ITA) It was all perfect. I saw an old friend elisa canepa again, I had my mechanic Martin with me, who supported me perfect and the sun was burning down. I trained well and qualified perfectly on friday with an nearly perfect run. 4th place from 25 girls. So really happy about that. Race day …still all good. first heat still all good. got easy in the next round. Semi final… it got worse. I had a puncture in my run, so didn’t make it in the finals. So started in the small final, where I HAD A CAMERA MAN IN FRONT OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT!!!!! so i couldn’t see the red light. Because I can just start visual I totally missed my gate and finished 8th… WHAT A fu….sh….I protest at the bottom but the ITALIEN UCI (very important italien UCI people, which were absolut unprofessional the whole weekend) didn’t care and they didn’t make a rerun. (the day after i talked with the woman, who has something to say at the UCI – forgot her name- and she said that she would have made a rerun for sure and that she was very sorry for what happened. hmm what can i buy with this sorry. NOTHING!!! So what does that means for me??? now. I didn’t get a chance to get on the podium, I am super angry, frustrated and rode so much better than to be at the end 8th….. and sorry i forgot a „small “ detail, which makes me broken… I can pay me the World champs costs by myself, because I needed a top 6 result to get a fund. Yeah thanks to the Cameraman, who i better never meet again in my life.

Champery I will try to kill it with all this anger in me… see you Lene

23. August 20115. Februar 2015