BC Men’s Alpine Ski Team 2009/2010 Mount Hood Camp #2 Report (Aug. 19 – 30) by Head Coach Jordan Williams
In attendance were: Conrad Pridy (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) Morgan Pridy (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) Tyler Werry (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) Michael Cadman (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) Spencer Morris (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) William Konantz (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) Ford Swette (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) Ben MacLean (Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
The Palmer Snow Field here at Mt. Hood, Oregon has been our home and office for the last week and a half. The weather conditions have been warm and sunny which is great but, this has definitely damaged the field and made the snow surface rough and dirty. The Timberline staff has been wonderful to us and very helpful with any demands or requests that we have had. Victor(the Pisten Chief)and his staff, especially has been very supportive of all of our needs. We have been training mainly Slalom and have had great effects especially due to the strength, flexibility and ultimately the confidence improvements that we gained in the dryland camp at Whistler last month.
Our main focus this camp was to improve on what we built at the last on-snow camp here at Mt. Hood. We are still committed to powering the ski from the top of the arc and striving towards re-centering through the finish of the arc. The main difference that this camp has produced is the attitude towards having a competent series of turns. We are now working for effective full runs down the slope. The athletes are still being challenged in maintaining consistency as it is very difficult on the terrain and snow conditions that we have.
The volume of training that we have acquired here has been very big and thorough. Jeff and I truly believe that we have established a solid platform for the athletes to make some great gains at our next on-snow training camp in Valle Nevado, Chile. This camp will help us to acclimatize for the altitude and rigors of Speed training at Portillo, Chile.
The Alberta Ski Team has been here training right beside us for the last few days which has been great as they are our competition and friends. Both provincial teams are working hard towards the athlete’s goals for the upcoming season.
Dr. Lauren Jones has joined us again this camp to enhance the effective work that she began with us earlier this summer. The racers are finding that the tools she has provided and exposed them to are invaluable - they have been practicing and using them daily. Both Lauren and Gordie Bowles were on hill with us for the last couple of days and helped us out greatly.
Thanks to all the staff at BC Alpine and our generous sponsors for supporting us in this mission.