Speed Training Camp

This weekend is the speed training camp. The downhill course (FIS approved) is set up for Saturday and Sunday. Super G is set up tommorrow and Friday. Basically the course is a proper racing track run as done in the Olympics or Paralympic Games, complete with jumps, sections of extra fast straightlining, and flags for big carving turns. Today our coach took us up and without setting the course, showed us how the course will be set. We followed him down each section and he pointed out what needed to be done where. Like for example in one section it is quite flat, so speed is needed from the previous downhill section and one is to tuck turn through these sections. In other sections, our coach showed us where to come out of the tuck and do an "open tuck" where the arms are slightly outwards but the body maintains its aerodynamics. An open tuck is done to maintain balance in slightly pitched sections. We had a couple of free runs where my coach guided me. At first I was quite tentative, not picking up speed where I should have and a little apprehensive of the speed at which I was going. However by the third run I was gunning it. At every flat bit I tucked turned to build speed, at every straight bit I tucked as low as possible, and at every turn I had exceptional pressure on my downhill ski while it edged so I could build speed. I timed myself in my head and I reckon I did it in just on two minutes. During the world cup the atheletes were doing super G (a shorter course) in one minute thirty. So I think I am right on the money here. Can wait for the camp. Coaches and students from around the area are coming. Some of the best coaches in BC and Alberta province will be around to give tuition, guide and help build our skills, and more specifically build our speed. I must admit at one point in the afternoon I was a little scared. I was using the assistant coach's 190 centimeter race skis (pretty much the fastest ski I have ever ridden) and picked up more speed than I have ever skied before. Things were getting a little blurry, and I couldnt hear anything but the resistance of the air against my body. I just knew if I made one little wrong movement I would be dead meat. Instead of fretting about it I took my coach's advice and just relaxed. Not only did relaxing help my legs adjust to the contours of the race course itself as I went madly down and up pitches and jumps, I actually went a little faster..So confidence and attitude is actually what makes the difference. It is counter-intuitive, your body wants to tense up and slow down, I actually learnt the most important thing today, tensing up is the biggest risk a skier can make. Its all about chillin out and bustin a sweet relaxed move! Finished the day off gunning Midnight, my favourite run. Was told to slow down! Gotta go and recover now for the camp. So excited!