An analysis of Alpine Skiing 2016

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1 An analysis of Alpine Skiing 2016

Rationale for Project To gain a better understanding of the development pathways in ski racing, with a goal to provide insight toward development and improvement in the future of USA ski racing To

2 Rationale for Project To gain a better understanding of the development pathways in ski racing, with a goal to provide insight toward development and improvement in the future of USA ski racing To identify the motives, processes, people, cultures that drive elite performance from junior levels to World Cup competition To produce a body of knowledge of best-practices and overarching themes to enable informed decision-making and alignment among: Organizations Coaches Officials Parents Athletes To understand the European development system 2

Phase I: Statistical Analysis Looked at World Cup Top 30 Men and Women All events Data as of end of 2015 season Compared tech vs. speed events. Looked for differences in trends.

3 Phase I: Statistical Analysis Looked at World Cup Top 30 Men and Women All events Data as of end of 2015 season Compared tech vs. speed events. Looked for differences in trends. Compared men vs. women. Looked for differences in trends. Looked at today s top junior athletes, American and worldwide Plotted today s juniors against World Cup Top th percentile 3

Phase II: Understanding European Development System - Thought Leader Interviews Interviewed Thought Leaders Experts as recommended by USSA leadership.

4 Phase II: Understanding European Development System - Thought Leader Interviews Interviewed Thought Leaders Experts as recommended by USSA leadership. Conducted hour long interviews with current and former head coaches and sports science leaders from: USA Canada Austria Germany Norway Croatia Italy Switzerland France Russia Asked same questions of all Looked for commonalities 4

5 Phase III: World Cup Athlete Online Survey An independent online survey was conducted among World Cup athletes Isolated WC Top 15 and American athletes to look at differences from overall group 37 questions focused on factors of development from early to elite stages 127 respondents 25 top 15 World Cup athletes, 50 top 30 World Cup athletes Male vs. Female Respondents Respondents' Primary Event SL 23% DH 22% Female 43% Male 57% GS 28% SG 27% Male Female DH SG GS SL 5

6 Overarching Findings 1) Ski racing is an inherently rewarding sport. 2) There are many roads that lead to Rome but not all roads lead to Rome. 3) Ski racing is a skill sport. 4) Success is found at a young age. 5) Parents are the biggest influencers. 6) Skiing is cultural to Europeans. 7) Volume is critical to development. 8) Concentration, not specialization. 9) Speed skiers are also very good tech skiers. 10)USA juniors trail competitors. 6

7 Ski racing is an inherently rewarding sport. Finding #1 7

Status 3% Family 27% Ski racers are NOT driven by winning, celebrity status, financial status

8 What were the most important priorities in your life prior to becoming a professional? Inherently rewarding motivational factors make up 85% Celebrity Status 4% Education 11% Financial Status 3% Family 27% Ski racers are NOT driven by winning, celebrity status, financial status Competition 6% Winning 8% Skiing Lifestyle 6% Fun 19% Friends 16% Ski racers are DRIVEN BY family, friends, fun, lifestyle 8

9 What were the most motivating factors in your decision to pursue excellence in ski racing? Fun Intrinsic value of the sport Challenge/love of competition 15% 16% 18% Desire to be successful 12% Acquisition of skill Competitive outlet 9% 10% Desire to improve fitness Pleasing parents Acceptance in a peer group Recognition Scholarship incentive Money 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 2% The reasons they choose to begin are the same reasons they choose to be great. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 9

10 What do you consider the most important long-term factors contributing to your success? Dedication & commitment 23% Family support 21% Coaching 16% Training environment 15% Education about training 10% Competitive success Competitive failure Financial incentive 1% 4% 10% 60% attribute their success to attitude and those who are there to support it 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 10

11 There are many roads to Rome but not all roads lead to Rome. Finding #2 11

12 There are many roads that lead to Rome In ski racing, not all paths to excellence are the same Range of development paths among top 30 supports the individual and dynamic nature of the journey Early developers Late bloomers Parental involvement No parental involvement Buck Hill Squaw Valley Gate training Free-skiing Ski Academy Independent program 12

Cup There are important universal commonalities Establishing 25 th percentile benchmark

13 but not all roads lead to Rome. Studying current World Cup Top 30 as juniors shows the paths athletes took to reach World Cup There are important universal commonalities Establishing 25 th percentile benchmark includes the top 75% of the field 22 of 30 athletes progressed within range Progression that still yields a high probability of world cup success 13

14 WORLD RANK World Cup Top 30 Men s Slalom World Ranks as Juniors 1800 Max 25th% WR1627 / 62pts Outliers Khoroshilov didn t have a WC start until 20 and first podium at 30 Chodounsky first WC start at WR991 / 45pts 800 WR841 / 40pts WR433 / 29pts WR537 / 32pts WR517 / 31pts 200 WR254 / 22pts WR282 / 23pts WR223 / 20pts WR181 / 18pts 0 WR150 / 16pts WR108 / 13pts WR78 / 11pts WR59 / 9pts AGE 14

15 WORLD RANK World Cup Top 30 Women s Slalom World Ranks as Juniors Max 25th% WR448 / 40pts WR354 / 35pts Outliers Curtoni first WC start at 22, no podium until WR274 / 30pts WR244 / 28pts WR244 / 28pts WR144 / 20pts WR122 / 18pts WR77 / 14pts WR119 / 17pts WR55 / 12pts WR132 / 19pts WR96 WR49 / 11pts / 16pts WR30 / 8pts AGE WSL 15

16 WORLD RANK World Cup Top 30 Men s Giant Slalom World Ranks as Juniors 2000 Max 25th% WR1816 / 65pts Outliers Fanara didn t have a WC start until 24, podium until WR910 / 42pts WR1106 / 47pts WR760 / 38pts WR550 / 32pts WR491 / 30pts WR350 / 25pts WR306 / 23pts WR179 / 18pts WR190 / 19pts WR158 / 18pts WR102 / 14pts WR77 / 13pts WR69 / 12pts AGE 16

WORLD RANK World Cup Top 30 Women s GS World Ranks as Juniors Max 25th% 700 600 500 WR582 / 40pts Outliers Curtoni first WC start 22, no podium until 27 400 WR457 / 34pts WR422 / 33pts

17 WORLD RANK World Cup Top 30 Women s GS World Ranks as Juniors Max 25th% WR582 / 40pts Outliers Curtoni first WC start 22, no podium until WR457 / 34pts WR422 / 33pts WR455 / 34pts 300 WR288 / 27pts WR266 / 25pts WR259 / 25pts 200 WR151 / 19pts WR189 / 21pts 100 WR78 / 13pts WR80 / 13pts WR71 / 12pts WR70 / 12pts WR54 / 11pts AGE 17

18 Ski racing is a skill sport. Finding #3 18

19 Ski racing is a skill sport. Based on thought leader consensus: Requires massive volume to reach the top (adaptability, balance, agility, come from volume) Nurture not nature Unlikely to reach the top if pursued recreationally Requires an environment of challenge Variety is critical (gates, drills, free-ski, terrain, surface, etc.) Purposeful skiing is most beneficial Good coaching at young ages is critical 19

20 At what age did you first ski? 45% 40% 35% 30% 36% 41% 77% of athletes were skiing by age 3! 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 7% 7% 4% 5% 1% 0% 0% 0%

21 Would you consider yourself a natural athlete? Only 51% of top athletes considered themselves natural. Naural Athlete Somewhat Natural 22% 51% Equal Combination of Both 20% Somewhat Unnatural 5% Skiers are not born, they are BUILT! Very Unnatural 1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 21

22 Success is found at a young age. Finding #7 22

23 Age at each development milestone 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% First started skiing 80% 86% 92% 97% 99% 99% 99% 100% 45% 9% % skiing by 3 88% ski racing by 8 First started ski racing 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 5% 13% 88% 90% 100% 95% 95% 69% 53% 26%

24 Age at each development milestone First regional success 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 82% 88% 90% 97% 99% 100% 62% 49% 30% 36% 7% 12% % first regional success by 12 84% made junior team by 16 76% national success by 16 Made junior team First national success 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 100% 84% 89% 58% 23% 25% 34% 1% 3% 3% 5% 8% % 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 92% 96%99%100% 76% 81% 51% 31% 3% 3% 7% 11%11%19%22%

25 There are some outliers, but women tend to reach high-performance earlier than men. 1 st WC start 1st Points 1 st Podium Women (SG21) Men (GS23) 25

26 Parents are the biggest influencers. Finding #9 26

27 Was your family fans of the sport? 11% 89% of athletes families were fans of ski racing. 46% 43% Extremely Somewhat No 27

28 How involved were your parents when you decided to concentrate on skiing as your primary sport? 15% 85% of parents were involved when athletes decided to pursue the next level 42% Not involved Moderately involved Extremely involved 43% 28

29 Who were the most influential people on your early ski racing career? Peer athletes 14% Others Friends 12% 6% 46% are family members. Brothers & Sisters 19% Coaches and peers make up 36%. Coaches 22% Parents 27% 29

30 Skiing is cultural to Europeans. Finding #5 30

31 Skiing is cultural to Europeans Families, communities, even entire nations revolve around ski racing 20 Buck Hill s in Oslo Hundreds of small hills in Alps If I didn t ski I wouldn t have had any friends. Kids ski every day Lots of volume young! 31

32 Volume is critical to development. Finding #8 32

33 Growing up, how long was your drive to the mountains? 9% 79% lived within one hour of the mountains. 12% 79% <1 hour 1-2 hours 2+ hours 33

34 At what age did you begin attending summer training camps? 120% 100% 75% of athletes were attending summer camps by age % 89% 93% 93% 93% 95% 100% 80% 75% 78% 66% 60% 54% 40% 34% 20% 18% 0% 1% 5% Age 34

35 What does volume look like? 180 Total On-snow Days per Year: Winter and Offseason U8 U10 U12 U14 U16 U18 U21+ Winter Offseason 35

36 Concentration, not specialization. Finding #4 36

37 Specialization or Not? Wrong Question! Clearly high volume of ski specific training is required. More than recreational. Answer is to Concentrate Ski when there is snow on the ground Do not let other sports interfere with skiing SPECIALIZATION CONCENTRATION 37

38 Did your family encourage participation in other sports? 17% Yes No 83% 83% said their families encouraged multiple sports. 38

4 5 6+ 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6+ 75% played 3 or more

39 Number of sports regularly practiced at younger ages Age 0-12 Age % 30% 25% 20% 17% 29% 23% 25% 20% 15% 14% 21% 24% 22% 16% 15% 10% 5% 9% 12% 11% 10% 5% 3% 0% % % played 3 or more sports at % played between2-4 sports at

40 At what age did ski racing become your primary activity? 120% 100% 80% By age 16, 83% of athletes identified themselves as ski racers above all else 83% 88% 95% 96% 100% 100% 70% 60% 59% 49% 40% 32% 42% 24% 20% 14% 17% 17% 0% 1% 1% 1% 4% 7%

41 Speed skiers are good tech skiers too. Finding #6 41

42 Speed skiers are good tech skiers too. Ski racing is becoming more technical SL/GS skills are paramount Introduction to speed elements early is good Mastering fundamentals early is critical for any event Skill Development Tech Event Mastery Speed Events Fundamentals 42

43 World Rank World Cup Top 30 Super G Men 25 th Percentile World Rank with 25 th Percentile Best Tech Rank as Juniors WR782 / 36pts WR630 / 54pts 75% of today s top SG skiers were sub-20 point tech skiers as juniors! WR409 / 42pts WR372 / 24pts WR304 / 33pts WR323 / 22pts WR263 / 20pts WR224 / 18pts WR172 / 22pts WR203 / 17 WR192 / 16pts WR126 / 17pts WR125 / 17pts WR99 / 15pts *75% of current Top 30 WC SG Men had a SL or GS world rank below this level as juniors Age SG Men - SG 25th% SG Men - Best Tech Event 25th %* *2015 points are included for illustrative purposes but are not a consistent measurement over time 43

44 World Rank World Cup Top 30 Downhill Men 25 th Percentile World Rank with 25 th Percentile Best Tech Rank as Juniors WR1065 / 42pts WR996 / 108pts WR682 / 33pts 75% of today s top DH skiers were sub-30 point tech skiers as juniors! WR543 / 29pts WR428 / 61pts WR375 / 23pts WR266 / 43pts WR404 / 24pts WR331 / 22pts WR325 / 22pts WR178 / 33pts WR164 / 30pts WR118 / 21pts WR99 / 17pts *75% of current Top 30 WC DH Men had a SL or GS world rank below this level as juniors Age DH Men DH 25th% DH Men - Best Tech Event 25th %* *2015 points are included for illustrative purposes but are not a consistent measurement over time 44

45 World Rank World Cup Top 30 Downhill Women 25 th Percentile World Rank with 25 th Percentile Best Tech Rank as Juniors WR382 / 33pts WR293 / 77pts WR266 / 24pts 75% of today s top DH and SG skiers were sub-20 point tech skiers as juniors! WR200 / 22pts WR145 / 43pts WR149 / 18pts WR150 / 18pts WR141 / 17pts WR 145 / 37pts WR101 / 33pts WR88 / 28pts WR125 / 16pts WR78 / 26pts WR57 / 19pts *75% of current Top 30 WC DH Women had a SL or GS world rank below this level as juniors Age DH Women - DH 25th % DH Women - Best Tech WR 25th %* *2015 points are included for illustrative purposes but are not a consistent measurement over time 45

46 USA juniors today trail our competitors. Finding #10 46

47 Men SL Current Year-olds Who Meet World Cup 25 th Percentile Criteria AUT 6 SUI NOR 4 5 USA 8 th out of major countries GER 4 45 athletes (age 16-22) worldwide meet 25 th Percentile ITA SWE FRA USA: 1. Garrett Driller (1996) 2. AJ Ginnis (1994) USA 2 CAN *based on end of 2015 season 47

48 Women SL Current Year-olds Who Meet World Cup 25 th Percentile Criteria SUI 5 GER CAN SWE USA 6 th out of major countries 29 athletes (age 16-22) worldwide meet 25 th Percentile AUT USA NOR USA: 1. Mikaela Shiffrin (1995) 2. Paula Moltzan (1994) FRA 1 ITA *based on end of 2015 season 48

49 Men GS Current Year-olds Who Meet World Cup 25 th Percentile Criteria AUT 8 FRA 7 USA 7 th out of major countries NOR ITA athletes (age 16-22) worldwide meet 25 th Percentile SUI USA GER USA: 1. Kipling Weisel (1995) 2. Ryan Cochran-Siegle (1992) 3. Kieffer Christianson (1992) CAN 2 SWE *based on end of 2015 season 49

50 Women GS Current Year-olds Who Meet World Cup 25 th Percentile Criteria NOR 6 ITA 6 USA 8 th out of major countries AUT SWE athletes (age16-22) worldwide meet 25 th Percentile FRA SUI 3 3 From USA: 1. Nina O Brien (1997) 2. Mikaela Shiffrin (1995) CAN 3 USA 2 GER *based on end of 2015 season 50

51 USA is at a disadvantage to other ski racing nations Financial sacrifice is high barrier to entry/continuation USA is short on volume at young ages Skiing culture not as prevalent What can we do to improve? 51

52 Financial Sacrifice is High Barrier to Entry/Continuation Bad news/good news Self funding model allows for late bloomers Can NCAA be a pipeline for USA? Need for awareness and education Is so much racing and travel really necessary? Programs to lower cost Local spring/fall camps for off-season Investment in state of the art snowmaking Cultivation of alternative training sites Prioritization of NorAm s Critical USST supports high quality, low point series. Create high quality racing opportunities close to home 52

USA behind on volume at young ages Improve access night skiing state-of-the-art snowmaking quick turnaround school collaboration proximity to mountains Structure programs around best practices: Focus

53 USA behind on volume at young ages Improve access night skiing state-of-the-art snowmaking quick turnaround school collaboration proximity to mountains Structure programs around best practices: Focus on mastery of fundamental techniques. Disciplined practice matters most. Create skiing and racing opportunities as early in life as possible. Educate about international best practices pathway. High quality programs and coaching at all age groups. Create inclusive, yet high-performance training environments. Encourage other sports, but concentrate on skiing. Structure younger development teams to focus on tech over speed. 53

54 Skiing culture not as prevalent in USA Create micro-cultures. Community by community. Educate and engage parents Importance of best practices Engage media Celebrate hero s Engage school systems Access and quality of training environments Cultivate donors 54

Inherently rewarding in and of itself No apologies or sacrifices needed fun activity

55 Overarching Conclusion: Ski racing is a no-lose sport. Pursuing ski racing at ANY level of commitment is positive. Inherently rewarding in and of itself No apologies or sacrifices needed fun activity Generations of ski racing shows lifelong positive values Promotes personal development, maturity, confidence, accomplishment and physical wellbeing 55

56 Thank you for your time and to the athletes for their participation. Kris Ochs Dan Leever

9 - PNSA SELECTION PROCEDURES. PNSA Double Selection Board

9 - PNSA SELECTION PROCEDURES. PNSA Double Selection Board 9 - PNSA SELECTION PROCEDURES PNSA Selection Procedures are used to qualify PNSA racers for regional and national events where an official team will represent PNSA. Selection procedures vary depending