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MUST RSVP for weekend
This weekend 2/4, 2/5: We have 3 races at different WI and MI travel destinations plus scheduled training at home. We need EVERYONE on Team Snap to select one of these events so we can balance our coaching staff. I also think some of you have a valid point in that we still have a few team members who are NOT on TeamSnap or are on here but have not downloaded the app and do not stay up to date. Thanks Chris Carrier and several others for pointing this out. Again, for 2/4 and 2/5: EVERYONE needs to RSVP for one of our 4 events. If you are not planning…
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Diamond Hitch Drill
Here is the “diamond hitch” drill we did today. This is a gate clearing progression. I think a few athletes really began to feel and understand how to “clear” a slalom gate. https://videos.usskiandsnowboard.org/coetv/detail/videos/gate-drills_/video/6128886495001/diamond-hitch -Coach Steve
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Helmets and Training
We had a number of “illegal” race helmets today during SL training. While surprising that it is nearly February and we still have racers with improper race gear, we did allow smaller athletes to train the smaller SL training courses with soft sided helmets. For GS, racers will not be allowed on course with soft sided or SL helmets. No exceptions. This is a safety issue. Also a reminder to remove chin bars (and pole guards) for GS. Racers meet coaches at the big tree promptly at 9:30am. Coaches absolutely notice when racers hide or disappear during morning skills and drills and show up only for gates. Skills and drills…
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Slipping and Course Inspection
A couple of notes in slipping/course inspection during practice: When coaches instruct athletes to “slip” the course at the beginning of practice or after a reset, the athletes should also be inspecting the race course on their own. This is not a time to just ski the course slowly, but to look at the course and push away any soft or loose snow to improve the surface for racing. This should be done slowly, and nobody should be skipping gates or neglecting the last few gates of the course. As coaches, we have been noticing that many athletes are not paying attention the course at this time, but simply going…
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WIJARA Devil’s Head Race
Please review this race on the schedule section We have updated the details to include the volunteer sign up link. We are co-hosting this race. All of our parents must sign up for a volunteer job. If you do not sign up for a job, I will assign you one. Please note: this is the same sign up we used last year at Cascade so the names of the ski runs are those from Cascade just to save time. I will also be sending messages to families who have not yet attended a race weekend. As there are only two WIJARA races left, racers who have not yet attended a…
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Wall drills
Drill tonight 1/26, is The Wall drill. Focus is to start the turn higher – not pressuring the ski after the gate but before the gate. Here are some photos for guidance. We will obviously discuss on the hill. -Coach Steve
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Blocking pole plants
Great practice on good snow Tuesday night. Bonus practice Weds night 5:30-7:30pm, 1/25. Many struggled to stay on line in the steeps at the race during slalom. Tonight we will be focusing on pole usage. A blocking pole plant is a specific type of pole plant used to control (or “block”) the upper body, forcing the orientation of the upper body down the fall-line. A blocking pole plant can cue CoM repositioning. Please review this video. https://videos.usskiandsnowboard.org/alpineed/detail/videos/alpine-guide-to-ski-fundamentals/video/6068353440001/blocking-pole-plant -Coach Jon
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Sundown Race Info
It looks like we have over 60 racers attending. Final start orders will be out today. We will be the first inspection group at 8am. Both courses meet at the same start shack at the top. U8/10/12 are on skiers right of the shack. U14/16/18/20 are on skiers left of the start shack. Sundown is another “upside down” resort where parking and the chalet are at the top. The lodge is small so it’s best to arrive early and boot up at the car and walk directly to the start. Lift tickets are in the Mountain Center and can be picked up Fri night or at 7am Sat morning. If…
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GS Drill 1/15
Team, Here is the drill with which we began the day. Though the drill helps develop several fundamental skills such as balance and edging; it also helps to get on the new ‘outside’ foot earlier in the turn phase. Great for GS! We need to initiate the turn much earlier in the course. Definitely saw some improvement today. For those who maintained focus – keep up the hard work! https://videos.usskiandsnowboard.org/coetv/detail/videos/skills-quest/video/5582483837001/phase-2-outside-ski-turns -Coach Steve
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Sundown Pizza Party
Wijara Sundown is 1/21 & 1/22. We will have our pizza party with tuning and waxing and video review at the Best Western Saturday Night at 6pm or soon thereafter based on racing and awards at the hill. Even if you are not staying at the Best Western, you are welcome. We have the room from 5pm-11pm with a tuning clinic and video review from racing that day. $10 per head for apps, pizza, soft drinks, salad and dessert. You can either pay Lara Berry (Paul and Charlie) via Venmo or bring cash on Saturday. Venmo is @Lara(DASH)Berry(DASH)3 with code below. Please RSVP on the Team Snap app. New racers…
