Leanne Smith talks skiing with Pine Tree students

For U.S. Ski Team member Leanne Smith, Wednesday was an opportunity to rest and relax. She's back home for a 10-day respite from the rigors of a World Cup schedule that has taken her to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and British Columbia (Canada, site of the 2010 Olympics).So what does the talented 20-year-old do on her first day home in months? She heads to Pine Tree School in Center Conway where she was the guest of honor.The former Kennett High three-sport standout spent the morning participating with physical education classes; autographed 200 postcards with a picture of her racing (generously supplied by Minuteman Press); and then was the keynote speaker during an afternoon all-school assembly.Last year, Smith dominated the North American (NorAm) Racing Series, winning the overall title and the Super G crown, propelling her up the U.S. Ski Team ladder and into a World Cup race. Promised one World Cup start, the daughter of Paula and Joe Smith, of Conway, cracked the top 20, immediately catching the eye of coaches and teammates. She's essentially been with the "A Team" ever since, competing in the speed events downhill and Super G One of the youngest racers on the World Cup tour, Smith has posted four top 30 performances and won one of the few NorAm Super G races she's competed in this winter.Smith, who is a second-year member of the U.S. Ski Team, was named the U.S. Ski Association's Junior Female Skier of the Year last season."Hi, kids," Smith started out with a big grin. She talked about growing up in Conway and attending Conway Elementary, but was quick to point out that "Pine Tree is cool, too." Smith told the captive audience she got her skiing start at the age of 5, skiing with her dad and older sister (Laurel, who is a teacher and the head alpine coach at Kennett High School) and other family members. She started her racing career on the slopes of Cranmore on Friday nights competing in the Junior Meister program. From there, she was hooked."I started racing for the Cranmore Racing Team when I as 8 and did that until I got to Kennett and then raced for the Mount Washington Valley Ski Team," Smith said. "After that I went to (the University of New Hampshire (where she garnered a second at the NCAA Championships), and after one year I made the U.S. Ski Team."Smith likes being on the U.S. team. "You get to travel around, ski and race and see cool places," she said. "It's nice to meet new people and learn new customs."Praising the students for sticking to their school theme Safe, Responsible and Respectful Smith also encouraged them to work hard in all they do. She talked about moving up the ski ladder ranks with her peers in America and then racing in Canada and competing against the Europeans. "You have to work your way up," she said.The students got to ask a few questions and were interested in a wide range of topics."Can you speak a lot of different languages?""I can say hello and thank you in a lot languages, but that's about it," Smith said. "I can speak some German. You have to be around (the different languages) a lot, practice and try hard to speak it.""Why do you like skiing?""It's fun," Smith said. "There are a lot of aspects in (the sport). There are the jumps, and you get to ski in and out of the trees you can ski in powder one day and different terrain another.""Where do you race next?""I ski next in Ontario (Canada), and then go to New York and then over to Maine," Smith said. Smith had a parting gift for the students and faculty. She presented the school with a poster of her racing for the U.S. Ski Team and signed it "To Pine Tree School, thanks for having me. Keep working hard and ski fast!"Two things Smith intends to do. While Smith is happy with her results to date, she said better days are ahead."I think I can do better, I know I can," she said.