We started off the camp in Stubai Glacier. Up at 3200m, the first few days of training took the lungs and legs by surprise, but we were able to acclimatise pretty quickly given all the off-snow training we have been doing back home. Thanks John Marsden! (OWI strength and conditioning coach).
Long days (8am - 3pm) and a quick t-bar turn-around meant that we were pushing 30-40 runs per day. The first week was focused on technical freeskiing, drills and GS gates, whilst the second week was more Ski Cross specific.
For the second week, we trained at Hintertux Glacier, where we had our brand new world-class SSA start gate set up. We trained GS alongside the Norwegian and Swedish Ski Cross Teams, as well as worked on starts, rollers and jumping. Although every man and his dog seemed to be at Hintertux whilst we were there, we were able to get in plenty of quality training.
In total, we skied a full 13 days out of 15, with only two weather days preventing us from heading up to the glacier.
This camp was in preparation for the first Ski Cross World Cups which are to be held in Europe starting mid-December. The World Cup season kicks off in San Candido, Italy, where Scotty memorably took out the victory in the second World Cup of the season last year. We then head to Austria in early January for the infamous night race under lights at St. Johann.
The team is now back in Australia. We have a six week dryland training block before we venture back overseas for the long four month winter season. Things definitely appear to be heading in the right direction with on and off-snow preparations. The team is feeling fit, strong and confident, and ready to take it to the Euros / North Americans on the 2011/12 World Cup circuit.
Article written by AIS Ski Cross athlete - Katya Crema