AST Athlete Journal: Graeme Cliff
The first races of the year are almost underway, and I couldn’t be more stoked about it. The whole team has been getting some awesome training here at Nakiska. Whether it has been on the long boards doing some Downhill/Super-G or the more technical disciplines of GS/SL, the team has been focused on the tasks at hand.
What’s up, everyone, My name is Graeme Cliff, and this will be my first year on the Alberta Ski Team. As with many of the new comers to the team, I am originally from Team Panorama where I owe a huge thank the whole Team Pano community, and our awesome new team in helping me feel the most confident I have ever felt before a season. This season has been off to a great start with our first two preseason camps over in Europe; I feel that everyone greatly benefited from them both. Currently the team is back training on home snow before the first big races of the season. During our time back home, some members of the team headed up to Mount Sima for a GS and SL race, where the cold temperatures and getting into race mode were a nice change of pace. It was most of our team’s first time up in the Yukon, and it has most definitely been added to our calendar for next season. Getting to race against some university racers was a cool experience; watching the level of skiing that is out there and the dedication it takes to do both school and skiing was definitely eye-opening. I’m super excited to race against other high-level collegiate athletes throughout the season. As I’m writing this, it is currently 9 degrees out in Calgary, which is nice for just about every sport besides ours, so I’m hoping for some cold temps and snow ASAP.
Recently Alberta Alpine hosted the Highest Peak Gala and Mount Norquay, which was a huge success with an awesome turnout throughout the Bow Valley. Whether it was getting to see some familiar faces or watching individuals get inducted into the Canadian Rockies Ski Hall of Fame. We athletes were introduced by GMC and were able to show off our fancy new Karbon jackets. Hopefully there was something for everyone. I know I personally had a great evening. I hope to run into everyone out and about on the hill and to get to chat more throughout the season. On behalf of our entire team, we appreciate everyone coming out to support us and the future of ski racing in Alberta. Your generosity does not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for each and every one of you.
Moving forward, the team is in Nakiska for a few days as we aim to head to Panorama for the opening of their preseason. We will head there for a quick stint to polish up and refine a few things before getting into race mode for Norquay and the first NORAMs of the season. I, along with a few of the other boys and many of the other provincial teams, will be heading down to Colorado for what is shaping up to be an exciting start to our race campaign. I’ll be starting towards the back of the pack, trying to punch in some good runs. It will be key that my focus level and new physical abilities are ready. We have been fortunate enough to work alongside our trainer Nate in CSI during the off-season, trying to get our bodies in tip-top shape ahead of our busy and very demanding season.
I am super happy with how all of our preseason training has shaped up and prepared us for the season, and I can’t wait to get into the swing of things. I am confident in our coaches’ plan and preparation, and I am very excited not only to ski fast but also to progress as an individual on and off the hill with the Alberta Ski Team. I want to give a huge shoutout to all of our awesome team sponsors. None of this would be possible without you guys: GMC Dealers of Alberta, Genstar, InspiredGo, Mountain Fire Foods, Silvertip Resort, Karbon, and GearUp Mountain Sports.
Graeme Cliff