GMC Sponsorship of Alberta Alpine

Alberta Alpine is absolutely thrilled to announce that GMC has become our Official Vehicle Sponsor and we are incredibly thankful for their support of Alpine Ski Racing in our province.

GMC has been involved in the Alberta Ski Racing community for decades and now the GMC dealers from across Alberta have come together to supply further support for Alpine Racing.

“GMC dealers from across the province have been supporting their local clubs and PTSO for years and we cannot be more excited to have them join us as our Official Alberta Alpine Vehicle Sponsor. “To align with a brand so passionate about excellence, safety, and performance perfectly captures the essence of our sport” commented Alberta Alpine President Patrick Gillespie.

GMC has also stepped up to be the sponsor of the Alberta FIS Race Series, “The GMC Cup”. These races will be held throughout the province and will provide local GMC dealers the opportunity to be involved with the race. GMC products will be featured at the GMC Cup races and the dealerships will assist with support at the race and at the Awards Ceremonies.

The Alberta Ski Teams will travel the provincial in safety, style, and confidence in their GMC vehicles this season to all their races and training.

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Marj Ritcey and Dorothy Baillie: Honoured Lifelong Volunteers

Many (some?) of you will remember these two faces from the Alberta Alpine office.  Their stories start out long before as their families were pulled into our sport as they supported their children’s endeavors.  Originating from the Skimeister Ski Club, these two women epitomized the effort of many moms in every ski club in the least glamorous roles of:  mom (chauffeur, cook, cleaner, alarm clock), club communications (endless telephone calls to communicate club schedules in the days before wireless communications), family shoulder to cry on, gate judge, score board recording, hand timing, gate judging …

Once their children had graduated and moved through the ranks, Marj and Dorothy accepted paid work at Alberta Alpine Association working as Administrative support as required. Marj and Dorothy kept things running at Alberta Alpine above and beyond their paid roles and helped to create a culture of excellence. Whether a parent had a question or a concern, a coach needed logistical support, or an athlete needed someone to simply chat with, both Marj and Dorothy represented Alberta Alpine with professionalism and care. These ladies exemplified hard work and expected the same from office staff, coaches and Athletes.  Tasha Tallas: “As an athlete I felt an immense amount of respect for these two ladies.”

Marj and Dorothy were seen as mom’s to many athletes (not just their own nests).   To award these two women is also to recognize all the moms in our sport often relegated or electing to take the less glamourous but important volunteer jobs.   One could not be recognized without the other, so here are their respective stories:

Marj Ritcey:

Marj’s skiing activities began in Schefferville, Quebec in 1968 when she introduced son Kurt to the sport. It continued in 1969 at Smokey Mountain near Labrador City where there was an established ski hill and a burgeoning alpine ski training program for young skiers. At Smokey Mountain, Marj learned to ski and enjoyed the associated social activities.  Marj, Bob and family (Kurt, Lynn, John and Jeff) moved to Calgary in 1974 and right away inquired about where and how to resume the skiing adventure. It was a fortunate contact with Jack Sandercock  (2015 Hall of Fame Honoured Lifelong Volunteer) that led to the introduction to the Skimeisters of Calgary club, the Paskapoo slope and coach Ken Marchand.

Dorothy Baillie:

Dorothy’s involvement in skiing started as a search for a sport that the family could do together. Dorothy and her husband, Bill, enrolled Brian and daughter Kathy) in lessons at Happy Valley Ski Area, one of the original local small river valley ski areas. Shortly after that first experience, the family was drawn to the Skimeisters of Calgary’s NGSL because Brian’s good buddies, Steve Fischer and Ken Anderson had already had joined. It was 1975 and in those days the Skimeister program was based out of Mt Norquay.  In 1976, Bob Steckle the area manager at Fortress Mountain (who also had three children in Skimeisters) invited the club to make Fortress Mountain their base ski area (Norquay by that time had several clubs competing for hill space).  With this move, Dorothy and Bill began to ski with their children and eventually began renting a room at fortress mountain as did many of the other Skimeister families.  Not only did the room rentals make life less hectic, but the overall experience created a family experience the Baillie’s shared with other Skimeister families, many of whom became life long good friends.   Dorothy reminisces, ‘As a family we really looked forward to our weekends, being in close proximity to watch our children grow, receive great coaching and most of all having fun’.  That search for a family centered sport really materialized and grew beyond Dorothy and Bill’s original expectations.

Once involved with ski racing, Marj and Dorothy’s stories are parallel with small deviations. Ski racing was a family activity – about equal with work and education. Dry land training, mid-week training on snow (Paskapoo) and the weekends at the mountains – Norquay and then Fortress. All of those required that everyone knew what was going on.  It was apparent almost immediately that significant coordination was needed among the skiers and parents so that everyone involved knew what was planned and happening. Marj’s interest and skills in communicating came readily into play whereby she gradually developed into helping the club become a cohesive, functioning unit. Marj even had a second telephone line installed at home so that her family would have access to a line.   A Skimeisters Parents Club was very active and a telephoning committee handled the needed communications. In the mid 1970’s communications were face-to-face, telephone land line and Canada Post.   In a large club like the Skimeisters was in the 70’s, this meant many hours on the telephone.   Answering machines had not even been invented at that time so let your imagination grasp that endeavor.   Marj and Dorothy Baillie were the key communicators and coordinators that helped enable the activities to occur.

As with most of the skiers’ parents, Marj and Dorothy were also active on-hill supporter of the racers and club. They both served in numerous functions with increasing responsibilities as their experience grew. These activities included gate keeping, timing (hand and electric), finish referee and race secretary. On top of those, there was the inevitable and necessary fund raising. The club grew, as did others, to the point where ski coaches needed to be hired and paid for their knowledge, skills and efforts.  Marj served as Chairman of the Alberta Cup competition for a number of years. This broadened her work province wide due to the required close coordination with and of all of the alpine skiing clubs.

In 1984, Marj became an employee of the Alberta Alpine Ski Association and began as an office assistant to Ron and Sherry Anderson. The office was then located in NE Calgary and later moved to Canada Olympic Park. The office quite quickly grew in activities and responsibilities and Marj’s job expanded to Office Administrator. Then, an assistant was needed and Dorothy Baillie was recruited.  So their partnership supporting ski racing continued. Indeed, they worked together in the Alberta Alpine office until their retirement in 2004. Over that 20 year period, they worked with 4 presidents and numerous ski coaches. In addition to all of the management of records, information, communications, etc., they interacted with the coaches and officials of all of the ski clubs, Alpine and related skiing organizations across Canada, ski racers and parents. Communications was their forte.

In addition to the office work, Marj and Dorothy both worked at many competitions:   club races, FIS races, Norams, World Cup races and the 1988 Winter Olympics. Marj served for many years on the Alberta Alpine Scholarship Committee.

Key Influences:

The key factors that influenced Marj in her skiing career were her interests in the development of her family and her natural social interests. Her work with the alpine skiing community at large provided the opportunities to participate constructively and enjoyably in its beneficial social activities. An unintentional benefit of her efforts in the ski and sports community was its effect on her immediate family as well as her skiing family – the latter being all of the young people she met and knew quite well as they worked to develop their skills in alpine skiing. Marj’s presence and work with these young people while being a constant in the Alpine office was a stabilizing influence for those young people as they matured as people as well as athletes. It was a pleasure for Marj to be able to observe those people develop relationships which, in many cases, became long term friendships.

Dorothy reflects that ski racing at the club level is a wonderful family sport in which both children and parents can participate. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and provides a vehicle through which both the racers and parents will make new contacts and form lifetime friendships.  Sadly, she sees the cost of participating in this sport moving out of reach for many people and feels efforts should be taken to try and reduce the cost of participation through more volunteer coaching, fund raising and club promotion so that future generations racers and parents can love this sport as much as we have. Dorothy says her fondest memories of her 20 years at Alberta Alpine were:

The Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame is pleased to recognize Marj Ritcey and Dorothy Baillie as our 2021 Honoured Volunteers, for a lifetime of passion for ski racing and as ambassadors to the sport.

Authors: Vanita Haining & Bob Ritcey

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AST Athlete Journal: Caeden Carruthers

Hi everyone,

I’m checking in from Silverthorne Colorado, the beautiful mountain town that Logan, Kiki, Kaite and I have been lucky enough to call home for our most recent training block, and more notably the opening NorAm races at Copper. Training has been great at Loveland. Weather has been on our side and consistent snow conditions have been immensely valuable for final equipment testing coming into the first races of the year.

Last season was difficult mentally, the load of training was consistently high and races were sparse. Though improving and building every day is incredible, without a target, a race or goal to build towards, it can be defeating. One word rings in my mind above all else in reflection: “Hunger”. The hunger that grew as my skiing got faster without an opportunity to utilize it continues to build as we approach this race season. I am more driven and excited than ever to deliver the skiing that I’ve worked so hard to curate over countless hours of training this summer in the gym, and through an exceptionally demanding on-snow pre season.

After these tech NorAms in Copper, we will meet up with the rest of the team, to prepare for the Panorama Canada Cup races, Lake Louise NorAms and Panorama NorAms.

I’d like to thank our team sponsors Raymond James Mission Wealth Advisors, Sporting Life, World Cup Supply and Karbon for their support this season as well as Head and Poc for providing me with the best equipment in the game. To my teammates and coaches who have pushed me so hard coming into this season, racing is finally back. Trust and know that we have put in the work, let’s have a great winter!

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Copper Mountain Nor-Am Podiums

?Double Gold?

Kiki Alexander won the SL Nor-Am opener in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Overall and Junior. Amazing work!
 
“Feels good to get a Nor-Am win, I was aiming for the podium and am stoked to come out on top! I’m feeling confident going into tomorrow’s race and want to thank all my PSO homies”
 

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2021-2022 Alberta Ski Team Announcement

It is with great excitement that we would like to introduce the Alberta Ski and Ski Cross Team for the 2021/2022 competitive season. The following athletes have shown tenacity, commitment, dedication, and a drive that is second to none. Together as a team they move forward into the season with lofty goals and aspirations. We would like to extend the congratulations beyond the athletes to their families, past club coaches, and to their teammates at the club level. All of you have a part in their success and deserve recognition.

On behalf of all the staff at Alberta Alpine, Pat, Alied, Jonas, Gavin, Shayne, Peter, Jim, Kya, Sanne, & Josh, please join us in celebrating and welcoming these athletes to the 2021/2022 Alberta Ski & Ski Cross Team. As a province we wish you the best in your season and beyond! 

Alberta Ski Cross Team
2021-2022
  • Alex Rubinoff – ABSX
  • Alexa Velcic – ABSX
  • Andrew Wilson – AST
  • Austin Boehm – Okanagan/Evolve
  • Garrett Musgrave – ABSX
  • Kiersten Vincett – Valley Ski Alpine Team
  • Phil Tremblay – ABSX
  • Reece Ralph – ABSX
  • Ryan Webster – ABSX
  • Zac Reynolds – ABSX
Alberta Ski Team
2021-2022
  • Avery Lebsack – Team Panorama Ski Club
  • Ben Wallace – Sunshine Racers
  • Caeden Carruthers – Crabbe/Nakiska Alpine Ski Association
  • Cydnie Timmermann – Banff Alpine Racers
  • Dan Molesky – Banff Alpine Racers
  • Haley Cunningham – Team Panorama Ski Club
  • Jesse Kertesz-Knight – Banff Alpine Racers
  • Kaitlyn Fynn – Calgary Alpine Racing Club
  • Kiki Alexander – Sunshine Racers
  • Logan Dunn – Nakiska Alpine Ski Association
  • Makenna Lebsack – Team Panorama Ski Club
  • Tora Hoshizaki – Nakiska Alpine Ski Association
  • Zuzana Rybarik – Team Panorama Ski Club

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Mark Stein: Honoured Athlete, Coach and Leader

An Alberta Ski Racing and Coaching Institution for 50 years!

Canmore, AB – Mark Stein’s first day skiing was as an 11 year old on the downtown riverbanks of his hometown at the Edmonton Ski Club. In one amazing afternoon he discovered his lifetime passion.

Because of that discovery, Mark went to a book signing and met Nancy Greene. She told him of the Ski Program that she had just started and encouraged him to join to join the Nancy Greene Ski League that winter.

 Moving up to the ESC Alpine Program, Mark made rapid progress winning his first race at 14 and by age 15, entered his first FIS race. At 16 Mark was selected to Alberta North Zone Ski Team. As a full-time High School student, Mark only raced a few events.

At 18, the real Ski Racing Adventure began. Mark travelled to Austria for the Winter and Instructed Skiing and raced in local events.  He went to several World Cup events including Kitzbuhel and the passion for Ski Racing was reignited. 

Upon his return to Edmonton, Mark began his Studies at the University of Alberta and was Alpine Chairman of the just resurrected University of Alberta “Bears Ski Team”. During the 3 Seasons on “Da Bears”, Mark competed in Pontiac Cup Races, Shell National Championships and Nor Am races and had several FIS Race Podiums in Alberta, including the Sir Norman Watson Downhill. Upon Graduation from the U of A, the Bears asked Mark to Coach the next season, an offer he accepted. A 1 season job turned into an amazing 20 season relationship! 

While Coaching at the U of A, Mark also raced 2 seasons on the PWA Pro tour, qualifying for most events. He also raced in the Canadian Masters Program that evolved into a 10 year relationship of racing and coaching.

Mark gained his CSCF Level 1 Certification while Coaching at the U of A, and was encouraged by his Wife Leanne, Gord Brown and Keith Robinson of the CSCF, to pursue higher coaching levels. He attained his  Level 3 on First attempt.

Mark is currently a Fully Certified at the PL Level Coach. A Coaching Highlight was being awarded the CSCF “Dave Murray Coach of the Year” in 2009. Mark was Head Coach of the ESC for 15 years and is now starting his 3rd. Season as U16 Head Coach at Rabbit Hill Alpine.

“I am very proud to say I have sent athletes to high level ski racing, including the Alberta Ski Team and the NCAA,” said Mark. “Every Season I’ve had Athletes Win or Podium in Provincial races, qualify for Nationals and Whistler Cup as well as a Provincial and National Champion”.

Mark has stated that “A Passion and a Plan that has led to Success regardless of the Ultimate level you achieve. You learn the same life lessons as you try your best. My Coaching Philosophy has always centered around the Athlete and directing them to discover the right internal cues to learn how to ski their best. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then feeling the correct way to ski is worth a thousand pictures! If I have a passionate and motivated Athlete that is not improving, I see it as my fault and I find another coaching tactic to get through”.

The Sport of Skiing has really defined who Mark is, from that very first run at the ESC 50 years ago! His lifelong Friends all come from skiing. Mark stated “I’ve had the chance to Coach and ski with hundreds of people aged 6 to 70. As my passion, it’s never felt like work. I get to enjoy watching young people grow up while we are having great fun blasting around in the beautiful Rockies It’s far more than just turning around red and blue sticks in the Snow!”

That, is Mark Stein.

The Canadian Rockies Ski Racing Hall of Fame is pleased to recognize Mark Stein, our 2021 Honoured coach, alumni athlete and sport leader, for a lifetime of passion for ski racing and providing leadership to young athletes, families and volunteers of our sport.

Author: Dave Greig.

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AASA Member Discounts for Banff & Canmore

Alberta Alpine – up to 20% Discount
Rate Access Code: ABALPINE

Promo Code can be used at www.banfflodgingco.com

Travel Dates: November 1, 2021 until May 15, 2022
Black-Out Dates: Holidays / Long Weekends
*Subject to availability and minimum length of stay restrictions.

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ASXT Athlete Journal: Reece Ralph

[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/My3ZhxPbvmc” /]

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AST Athlete Journal: Avery Lebsack

Hello my Ski Community!

I’m Avery Lebsack, I am one of eight female athletes on the Alberta Women’s Ski Team, and this is my second season with AST. The past six months have been a grind in the gym but our recent trip to Europe has me so excited for the season to begin. 

This summer was one of the most mentally challenging off snow training blocks I have endured, with no time on snow and all our focus in the gym or on the track.  It was challenging at times to stay motivated to work out not knowing what the on-snow future held. I, like all of my teammates, worked a full-time job this summer (to try and help with the costs of this sport), which also made it difficult to focus solely on training with time commitments for both being intense. There were, however, benefits from a strong dryland program and not being on snow for that long, because I am currently in the best shape of my life and have never felt stronger going into the 2021-22 season. The time in the gym allowed me to exceed my physical goals for the dryland programming and be able to work on my mental ski training with a sports psychologist.  

After a long summer, this September brought our team to an on-snow training camp in Europe where we trained in Stelvio Italy, Hintertux, Austria and finally to an indoor training facility in Belgium. Stelvio was the perfect place to begin as the terrain was gentle and made the transition from five months off, painless. Stelvio was a beautiful place to train, and I won’t forget the homemade pasta and gelato we had to refuel, but too soon we were off to Austria.

Our first day in Hintertux was an adventure, a storm rolled in bringing with it snow and fog so thick, it was an effort to find the lifts. 40cm of fresh snow left the training runs in rough shape but for the next week, these conditions motivated us to finish and be aggressive each run because the alternative of getting bucked out of the course was much scarier than skiing tentative. The snow did get better, and the GS and SL training was amazing and everything I have been working on started to come together. We then made our way to Belgium for SL training. 

 

The indoor training facility in Belgium was unlike any ski hill I have ever been to before. I would describe it as a hockey rink on stilts. The ice was very challenging to get used to and exposed my every SL flaw! I had to be adaptable and use ice technique in order to stay on my feet which was both demanding and humbling. It was fun for the first two days until I had collected enough bruises on my arms and legs from the gates whipping back. The fact that my whole body hurt inspired me to alter my technique fast and the bruises acted as immediate feedback as to whether I was truly changing or not. Overall, I thought it was a really good experience and now I can say I’ve skied indoors.

After Belgium both the Men’s and Women’s Alberta Team had the privilege of going to the Solden

Women’s World Cup to watch the competition and cheer on former Alberta Team member (and BFF) Cassidy Gray and Britt Richardson. The energy of the crowd was electric, and it was inspiring to be able to see world class skiing in person as these events are such a rarity in Canada. Seeing such talented female athletes competing reminded me of where I want to go in skiing and has further motivated me to work hard to reach that goal.

Since being back in Canada, I have been in the gym, doing one last push before I focus on maintaining strength for the season and my team has been at Norquay, technical free skiing, and will soon move to Nakiska. The next few weeks are going to ramp up in intensity as we will be training at Nakiska and then

Panorama to prepare for all the races yet to come. I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such a strong support system and would like to thank my amazing team, including my two coaches Jim and Gavin, trainer Nate, and my parents for making the best of the last year, for pushing me, holding me accountable and being there for me through it all. I cannot wait to see what the season has in store and am ready to move forward and start racing again! 

Avery Lebsack

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Alberta Official’s Update Agenda

The official’s update for Alberta will be presented on November 6, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  This course is open to officials of all levels.  In order to maintain your official accreditation, you must attend an update once every two years or take the next level course during that same 2 year time period.

Homework PDF
Agenda PDF

2021 Agenda

Item Start Finish Duration
Introductions/Opening Comments

 

9:00 9:05 5 Min
Quiz questions

 

9:05 9:20 15 Min
Rule Changes

 

9:20 9:35 15 Min
Case Studies 1 and 2

 

9:35 9:55 20 Min
Covid Protocols

 

9:55 10:00 5 Min
Penalty and Timing Calculations

 

10:00 10:30 30 Min
Break 10:30 10:40 10 Min
Safe Sport and Officials Training

 

10:40 11:00 20 Min
Case Studies 3 and 4

 

11:00 11:20 20 Min
DSQ or not DSQ – Videos

 

11:20 11:30 10 Min
Clean Hill Initiative

 

11:30 11:35 5 Min
Case Study 5 and 6

 

11:35 11:55 20 Min
Use of Social Media 11:55 12:00 5 Min
End of Update/Break for TD’s and TDC’s 12:00 12:10 10 Min
Training update and assignments 12:10 1:00  

 

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Covid19 Protocols for the 2021- 2022 Season

Dear Members,

Alberta Alpine Ski Association (AASA) knows how important sport and the ability to enjoy our recreational outdoor sport is to all our membership. The Covid19 pandemic has been devasting to our communities, both locally and globally, with restrictions that have changed all sectors of life. Outdoor sports are one of the few activities we could enjoy last season.

Now that vaccines are readily available it has allowed us to have a little bit more of a “normal” life, but all the protocols from last year will still play an important role to having a safe and fun season this year.

AASA strongly recommends that everyone who is eligible, to get their double dose of the vaccination. It is very important that all coaches, officials, and volunteers are vaccinated not only to protect the community but also to ensure their jobs can be done.

AASA requires all members to follow the AHS Covid19 current protocols, along with the Covid19 protocols that both your local ski resort as well as any ski resorts that you plan to visit this season have in place. Ski resorts may have enhanced protocols that go beyond what AHS has put in place, and these protocols should be followed. The following links are to the AHS protocols and restrictions:

Order 44 (Restrictions) – https://open.alberta.ca/publications/cmoh-order-44-2021
Order 45 (REP) – https://open.alberta.ca/publications/cmoh-order-45-2021
REP Guidance – https://open.alberta.ca/publications/covid-19-information-requirements-for- restrictions-exemption-program

Covid19 Protocols for Alberta Alpine sanctioned races.

For all U14, U16, FIS and Masters Alberta Alpine sanctioned races, all participants (coaches, officials, athletes, volunteers, and spectators inside the fence) must be fully vaccinated or show proof in written or printed copy that indicates the individual has tested, within 72 hours of the event, a negative test for Covid19 (at the participants cost) on a Health Canada approved Rapid Antigen, Rapid PCR or lab-based PCR test approved by Health Canada or the lab accreditation body of jurisdiction to attend the event.

Ski Resorts may have enhanced Covid19 protocols, these protocols may exceed AASA protocols, but the Ski Resort Protocols must be followed.

Participants must have received at least 2 doses of a Government of Canada accepted Covid19 vaccine or mix of 2 accepted vaccines or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. The second dose of vaccine must have been given 14 full days prior to the event/race.

Each ROC will manage this program and AASA strongly suggests that each ROC has a Covid19 Officer assigned to the race. There is no need to hold any personal information of any of the participants. The Alberta Government Covid19 scan app will verify if the participant is fully vaccinated.

For U12 and younger Alberta Alpine sanctioned races. All coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators inside the fence must be fully vaccinated or show proof in written or printed copy that indicates the individual has tested, within 72 hours of the event, a negative test for Covid19 (at the participants cost) on a Health Canada approved Rapid Antigen, Rapid PCR or lab-based PCR test approved by Health Canada or the lab accreditation body of jurisdiction to attend the event.

All U12 and younger athletes will follow all AHS and the Ski Resorts Covid19 protocols at all race events.

Ski Resorts may have enhanced Covid19 protocols, these protocols may exceed AASA protocols, but the Ski Resort Protocols must be followed.

Please note that the following are accepted Covid19 Vaccines in Canada.

  • Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
  • Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
  • AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
  • Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)

The Covid19 pandemic has shown us that it is always changing, and protocols will need to change with it.

We all want to have a safe and successful race season this year. Thank you to everyone for helping to make this season great one.

If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Patrick Gillespie
President of Alberta Alpine Ski Association

Alberta Alpine Ski Association
Suite 100, 1995 Olympic Way Canmore, ALBERTA T1W 2T6
Tel: (403) 609-4730

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ASXT Coach Journal: Shayne Spence

I have the honours of kicking off this year’s round of athlete/coach journals! The last 4 weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind for the teams, and I have the pleasure of leading the Alberta Ski Cross Team this year.

The Alberta Ski Cross Team (ASXT) has just returned from 4 weeks overseas training in Stelvio Italy, Hintertux Austria, and Saas-Fee Switzerland, and it was a great opportunity to get back on snow, refresh the fundamentals, work into some Alpine GS and finally get onto the ski cross track at Saas-Fee with National Teams. We are all looking forward to our next block on snow, and the preparation towards competition again after a year off. The team has made serious gains in the gym over the summer, and this translated to a quick progression on snow. There is also an increased understanding with the team and the correlation between the type of lifting that we are doing with CSI and how those movements benefit their skiing.

The ASXT is a new group for me to work with, and I am very excited about the progress we have made, the team environment we are creating and the plans we are discussing regarding competition, additional training opportunities, and TRAVEL now that we are able to again.

The memory of the trip that sticks with me the best, was our days at Saas-Fee when we got up to the top of the Ski Cross track. The weather was always blue bird, the track was in amazing shape, and just to feel the buzz, excitement and energy from everyone there (The Swiss, Canadian, French, Australian, Swedish, Chinese, Great Britain, Italian, and Austrian National Ski Cross Teams) it just made the training environment so positive, and then when the heats started to run, WOW talk about a training environment!  

Camp recap

Stelvio

The ASXT was fortunate to get the opportunity to start the camp with the alpine teams. Our focus was to get the fundamentals back as the team had been off snow since May, and we worked through technical free skiing drills and exercises to get the body and mind realigned after a long period of time off snow. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate as much as we would have liked at Stelvio, but we made the best of it, then off to Hintertux!

Hintertux

We were greeted on our first day at Hintertux with 40cm of fresh snow, and even though we were on GS skis we ripped up as much of it as we could! This brought many smiles and a few hoots and hollers and Europeans looking on with amazement. It was nice to let loose and have some fun. We then maximized our time at Hintertux with GS sessions, working into line, aerodynamics, changing where to pressure the ski in varying snow conditions, and to get comfortable at higher speeds.

Saas-Fee

The training venue at Saas-Fee is a playground, with the ability to utilize 2 different starts, multiple features, tracks and features that can be changed/utilized differently daily, and training partners that are the best in the world, it was an amazing opportunity for the team. The ability to watch, train on the same track and run heats with current Crystal Globe winners, Olympic medallists and World Cup medallists help to elevate the training environment, and help our athletes maximize their training sessions.

During our travel days, and off days we had the chance to also see a bit of Europe and got to wander around Innsbruck, Liechtenstein, Lucerne, and Munich. For the athletes, understanding the history in the areas they are in, is becoming part of their training as well. It will help with travel, movement from competition to competition and the ability to relax, refocus and recharge during long trips in the future. 

The ASXT is very fortunate this year as Nakiska and ACA are working to build a world class Ski Cross track and training venue at Nakiska this year, which will become our primary training centre. This will allow for increased time on track, the balance of school and life, and being able to be in their own bed after training will help us maximize this opportunity. A big Thank you to Nakiska and ACA for putting this together to help to continue to develop Ski Cross in Alberta and Canada.

Thank you to the Team sponsors Nakiska, Sporting Life, Karbon and Silvertip for coming together and continuing to support Alpine sports in Alberta. Also, a big thank you to the parents and personal sponsors who help the athletes get back on snow in Europe and push forward with their training and preparations for competition. We look forward to showing how this training translates to results!

Finally, a big thank you to the office staff at Alberta Alpine (Pat, Alied, Josh and Sanne) for helping the teams get back to travelling for training and laying the groundwork for our return to competition.

See you on the slopes!

Shayne

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