SSA MT.HOTHAM alpine performance camp SL,GS,SX JUL 29-AUG 2 REGISTER NOW AT WWW.SKIANDSNOWBOARD.ORG.AU FEATURING: ANTON GRIMUS, SAMI KENNEDY-SIM, MIKE RISHWORTH, ROSS PERAUDO + National Skills Assessment & Physical Testing Protocol, National Team & Coaches and Selectors
SSA FUTURES: Hotham alpine performance camp The mission of the National Alpine Committee is to support Alpine and Ski Cross athletes and develop Champions. Our vision states that we are one sport, Alpine and Ski Cross. We are striving toward developing a sustainable pipeline of world class athletes who are highly skilled skiers capable of achieving success at World Cup, World Championships and Olympic Winter Games. This performance camp is an important step in promoting the necessary skills required to be successful in all alpine disciplines in an integrated pathway. The SSA Futures: Hotham Alpine Performance Camp is a high performance preparation camp and skill development initiative developed by SSA with support from some of Australia s top performing athletes including Sami Kennedy Sim, Anton Grimus, Ross Peraudo and Mike Rishworth. There are several components to the camp, including training prior to the GS and SX events offering valuable opportunities to get used to the snow and terrain for the competition days. There will also be an on snow Skills Assessment giving athletes valuable insight into the current strengths and weaknesses in their technical skiing. The Skills Assessment will also help the National Selectors and Club coaches understand the opportunities for improvement across the entire FIS aged athlete group in Australia. The 5 day Alpine Performance Camp will serve as the selection basis for the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games (WYOG) in both Alpine and SX. Athletes born between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 1999 are eligible for selection to represent Australia at the WYOG. In addition to the Skills Assessment and specific competition results, those WYOG eligible athletes will be put through several physical tests. These three factors will give a well-rounded picture of the competencies of the eligible athletes and help inform the selection decision. The camp will give athletes opportunity to learn what it takes to be successful, understand the progression of the Long Term Athlete Development Model and to realise the opportunities available to them in the pathway. Athletes will train alongside Australia s top athletes and work with the elite coaching core in the Australian Alpine system. CAMP AIM: COACHES/ STAFF: Complete WYOG qualification process for Alpine and SX Assess the current strengths and weaknesses in the skill level of Australian FIS aged athletes Provide Talent Identification opportunities for athletes Establish a consistent and unified approach to Long Term Athlete Development for Alpine Ski Racing in Australia Provide athletes with superior technical coaching and performance opportunities Encourage versatility in holistic skill development, including SX specific learning and training opportunities Expose athletes to high performance environments and race preparation techniques Increase knowledge of the athlete pathway and the opportunities, resources and programs available to athletes Brad Wall - SSA Alpine Program Director Shawn Fleming - SSA Ski Cross Coordinator/ OWIA Ski Cross Head Coach Danny Geiger - OWIA Ski Cross Assistant Coach Pathway Program Coaches - Targeted coaches from Australian Race Clubs Anton Grimus - 2014 Winter Olympian Sami Kennedy-Sim - 2014 Winter Olympian Mike Rishworth - Former National Alpine Team member Ross Peraudo - 2014 Winter Olympian ACTIVITIES: On Snow training on the competition venues Alpine Skills Assessment Holistic skill development training, including SX specific learning Event preparation session Q&A with National Team athletes, coaches and role models Physical Conditioning Assessment (WYOG aged athletes only) Athlete/ Parent info session
WHEN IS IT: July 29 Aug 2, 2015 WHERE IS IT: Mt Hotham Ski Resort, Victoria EQUIPMENT: GS skis for Skills Assessment GS and SL skis for FIS competition days All equipment must meet FIS standards Back protectors highly recommended TRANSPORT: Transport to and from the training facilities at Hotham will not be provided. You will need to organise your own transport. If you cannot organise transport, please contact the SSA office, who may be able to assist in arranging car pool options with other attendees. Athlete Role Models: Between Anton, Sami, Mike and Ross, our athlete role models bring with them more than 50 years combined of racing experience both domestically and internationally. From Children s through FIS, World Champs, World Cup and Olympic Winter Games and experience in all disciplines. They will be on hand for the GS session on Wednesday morning to work in with athletes as well as Friday s SX specific start section training in the afternoon. On top of the scheduled information/ Q&A sessions with athletes they will be available on and off snow for one on one conversations with athletes regarding all topics related to becoming a successful athlete. Saturday morning session will also allow athletes the opportunity to participate in warmup sessions with Anton Grimus, Sami, Shawn and Danny. FACILITIES: The on snow component of the camp will take place at Mt Hotham on the venues prepared for the FIS ANC Alpine events. All off snow activities will take place at the MHRS clubhouse. Accommodation: Accommodation will not be provided for the program. You will need to source your own accommodation. WHO IS the camp FOR: SSA is calling for FIS aged and registered SSA athletes in Alpine, including SX. The Alpine Performance Camp will provide the only targeted skill assessment and competition opportunities for selection consideration for the 2016 WYOG and as such, eligible athletes are encouraged to register. Physical Testing: The physical testing session is relevant for all athletes born 1998 and 1999 who aspire to represent Australia in the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games (WYOG)in Alpine and Ski Cross. All Alpine disciplines are extremely physically demanding, athletes that are physically prepared and work hard on their conditioning have a greater chance of avoiding injury and achieving long term success. Athletes will be put through select tests of the National Fitness Testing Protocol to get an idea of overall athletic capacity. Physical preparation is an integral part of athlete development, athletes that put in the time and effort will reap the rewards on their on snow performance over time. Parent info session: Long Term Athlete Development and Pathway opportunities to be presented in addition to providing a forum for athletes families. More detail about this session will be provided soon.
HOW TO Register: 1. Register for the Performance Camp Please go to http://www.skiandsnowboard.org.au, and follow the links to the SSA Futures Page (from the homepage) to the fill out the registration form. 2. Register for lift passes and Race Entries ALL athletes must register through the Hotham Events website. NAST A-D athletes will be sent an email with a voucher code to register FOC http://www.mthotham.com.au/events-activities/events-calendar/ CONTACT: Bradley Wall Ski & Snowboard Australia P +61 3 9696 2344 F +61 3 9696 2399 E bwall@skiandsnowboard.org.au W www.skiandsnowboard.org.au COST: 1. Performance Camp The National Alpine Committee is subsidizing the cost of this performance camp for the attendance of SSA Staff and coaches as well as the elite athletes. This performance camp is aligned with the vision of developing an integrated pathway where Ski Cross is a 6th Alpine discipline. This is an important step in continuing the skill development and SX specific exposure of all our developing FIS athletes. 2. Hotham Lift Passes and Race Entries NAST A-D Members - $FOC The Mount Hotham Skiing Company is offering free race entry and lift tickets for all athletes qualified in the National Alpine Ski Team (A-D status). We thank the Mount Hotham Skiing Company and Racing and Events Department for their ongoing support of our Alpine disciplines and athletes. FIS/SSA Athletes - $TBA All other athletes will be provided with lift pass and race entry options and price details from the Mount Hotham events website. DAILY SCHEDULE: (Approximate Schedule) DAY 1-29/7/15 7:30 Bottom of Heavenly Chair GS Training on race hill GS equipment 9:30 Break 10:00 Hotham Central Skills Assessment info followed by Skills Assessment GS equipment 12:00 Break 13:00 Top of Summit Skills Assessment GS equipment 15:00 Hotham Central Skills Assessment wrap up followed by Q&A Session and event preparation workshop with athlete role models and Coaches 16:00 TBC Team Captains Meeting DAY 2-30/7/15 6:30 Heavenly Valley Chair Lift open, athlete warm up on Imagine 7:40-8:10 Snake Gully GS Course Inspection 1 8:30 & 9:00 Snake Gully GS Run 1 Ladies GS equipment GS Run 1 Men 10:30 11:00 Snake Gully GS Course Inspection 2 11:30 & 12:00 Snake Gully GS Run 2 Ladies GS Run 2 Men 13:00 Finish Area GS Race Presentation 14:00 MHRS Club WYOG Physical Conditioning Testing Athletic gear, water bottle 16:00 TBC Team Captains Meeting
DAILY SCHEDULE: (Continued) DAY 3-31/7/15 6:30 Heavenly Valley Chair Lift open, athlete warm up on Imagine 7:40-8:10 Snake Gully SL Course Inspection 1 8:30 & 9:00 Snake Gully SL Run 1 Ladies GS equipment SL Run 1 Men 10:00 10:30 Snake Gully SL Course Inspection 2 11:00 & 11:30 Snake Gully SL Run 2 Ladies SL Run 2 Men 12:30 Snake Gully Dual Qualification Race 13:00 Finish Area SL Race Presentation 14:00 Road Runner SX Specific Training Session GS equipment 16:00 TBC Team Captains Meeting DAY 4-1/8/15 7:30-9:30 Snake Gully Alpine Training Opportunity 10:15 11:00 Road Runner SX Inspection and Training 11:30 Road Runner ANC SX Qualification Race 1 13:00 Road Runner ANC SX Qualification Race 2 16:00 TBC Team Captains Meeting 17:30 TBC Parents Information Session 18:35 Road Runner Dual Finals Inspection 19:00 Road Runner Dual Finals Start DAY 5-2/8/15 7:30-9:30 Snake Gully Alpine Training Opportunity 10:15 11:00 Road Runner SX Inspection and Training 11:30 Road Runner ANC SX Race 1 13:30 Road Runner ANC SX Race 2 14:00 Finish ANC SX Presentations
SSA NATIONAL ALPINE SKILLS ASSESSMENT Objective To get a holistic view of the technical abilities of our FIS aged athletes To identify possible areas of improvement for all athletes which can be addressed at club level Place a greater emphasis on athletic skill development To help inform the selection process for the 2016 WYOG in both Alpine Skiing and Ski Cross Process The SSA National Alpine Skills Assessment is based off the Skillsquest created and used by USSA (www.ussa.org) A series of four on snow exercises which emphasise each of the four primary skill areas: pressure, edging, rotary, balance The Skills Assessment is scored on a 0-10 point scale. Each exercise has a specific task description and criteria for perfect skill execution. The assessors will focus on whether the athlete performs the skill and task to a high level relative to their developmental phase. The tests are designed such that the most skilled skiers in each phase should be capable of earning a perfect score of 10. The scoring table below, is used in evaluating both task and skill execution, to arrive at the athletes score. The assessors will consist of both national and club coaches to provide the highest level of expertise to the athletes. The following exercises will be assessed at the Mount Hotham SSA Alpine Skills Assessment Linked Turns in a Wave Track One Ski Skiing without Poles Hop Turns Freeski Varied Terrain and Snow Conditions Basic Jump in a Terrain Park Ski Cross Starts ASSESSORS Brad Wall: Alpine Program Director Shawn Fleming: Ski Cross Coordinator Danny Geiger: OWIA SX Coach Club Coaches skills assessment table The SSA National Alpine Skills Assessment is based off Phase 5 from the table below. Skill Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6 Pressure Pole jumpers Pole jumpers in tuck Straight run in wave track Linked turns in wave track Camel jump in wave track Edging Outside ski turns One ski skiing One ski skiing with lane changes One ski skiing without poles One ski skiing hourglass Rotary Straight run to side slip with edge set Pivot slips Sideslip to straight run to sideslip Hop turns Vertical brush quickness course Balance Freeski with pole usage Freeski - lane changes Freeski - hourglass Freeski - varied terrain and snow conditions Freeski - moguls in V shaped corridor Basic Jump in Terrain Park & Ski Cross Starts
scoring table Score Skill Task 10 Perfect Flawless execution Nothing to change 9 Outstanding Smallest of change needed Smallest of alteration desired 8 Excellent Couple of small changes needed One turn or dimension may need slight refinement 7 Very Good Skills are refined Several turns or dimensions may need slight tuning 6 Good Skill level is above average Task is performed above average 5 Average Skill level is average for this level Average performance of task 4 Fair Adequate skills No problem identifying the task although needs refinement 3 Mediocre Substandard skills Slight problem identifying the task although needs improvement 2 Poor Vague demonstration of skills Task performance is vague 1 Very Poor Grossly deficient skills Task performance is difficult to distinguish 0 Inability Nothing resembling the skills Task is unrecognizable SSA NATIONAL ALPINE SKILLS ASSESSMENT - PHASE 5 Linked turns in wave track Objective: Using flexion and extension of the lower body to manage pressure against the snow over undulating terrain while making linked turns. Primary Skill: Pressure Justification: Ski racers need to manage undulating terrain. On another level, the ski racer needs to have the ability to manage ski/snow pressure either to create speed or maintain speed while turning. Slope: Beginner slope. Set-up: Six waves are constructed by a snow cat that are one meter high when measured from the bottom of the trough to the apex of the roll. Waves are perpendicular to the fall-line and spaced 12 meters apart from crest to crest. Width is two snow cat grooming widths or about 10 meters. The skier enters the wave track at GS speed, then makes carved, round linked turns The skier skis such that they can absorb the waves and extend into the troughs with their lower body while turning Turn apex is randomly placed on each wave by the athlete with no consecutive turn being placed in the same place (the turn apex could be on the backside, upslope, top, or trough) Criteria for perfect execution: The skier s upper body remains at same relative elevation above horizon that is consistent with the pitch of the hill Lower body absorbs the rolls and maintains or increases pressure on the downside of the rolls Skis maintain snow contact at all times Skier demonstrates round turns while varying turn apex placement relative to the rolls Skier adjusts fore/aft pressure to increase speed Scoring: Based on the description and criteria for perfect execution above, the skier will be judged on a scale from 0 to 10 where 10 is perfect demonstration of the skill and task and 0 is the inability to demonstrate the skill and task.
One ski skiing without poles Objective: To ski solely on one ski connecting medium radius turns (15-18m turn apex to turn apex) on each leg without ski poles. Primary Skill: Edging Justification: Eliminating the poles from the one ski drill further challenges balance as the skier will need to adjust their center-ofmass solely with the ankle when performed correctly. Slope: Intermediate groomed terrain. Skier wears one ski and performs without poles Skier will demonstrate right and left leg in eight linked medium radius (15-18m) turns Foot without ski is held completely off the snow and maintains a non-swinging position Criteria for perfect execution: Free ski boot never touches the snow Free ski boot is not used for balance adjustment Speed is consistent throughout entire manoeuvre Turns are relatively round, carved, and of consistent radius Scoring: Based on the description and criteria for perfect execution above, the skier will be judged on a scale from 0 to 10 where 10 is perfect Sideslip to straight run to sideslip Objective: To demonstrate the ability to rotate the lower body and maneuver the skis accurately while maintaining an upper body that appears quiet in space. Primary Skill: Rotary Justification: Rotation of the legs within the pelvis without involving the upper body in the same direction is imperative for rotary skills. Slope: Intermediate groomed terrain. Skier starts from a traverse stance Skis jumps with both skis pivoting them in alternating directions for 15 jumps Skis are pivoted around the middle of the ski with simultaneous leg rotation Skier jumps in the opposite direction immediately upon landing Track left in snow resembles a series of Z s, with the tip of the previous track almost coinciding with the tail of the next track Exercise concludes with an edge set of both skis across the fall-line and hold stopped position for 3 seconds Criteria for perfect execution: Skis are always parallel to snow surface in the air (no tips or tail up) Equal distance is maintained between skis Skis land on edge and take off immediately from same position Skis take off, rotate, and land simultaneously Consistent rhythm and speed with no pausing or stopping during hops Last hop concludes with an edge set that coincides with a point plant and skier holds motionless for 3 seconds Scoring: Based on the description and criteria for perfect execution above, the skier will be judged on a scale from 0 to 10 where 10 is perfect demonstration of the skill and task and 0 is the inability to demonstrate the skill and task. Freeski varied terrain and snow conditions Objective: To demonstrate that the skis can be manoeuvred and used as a tool in varied terrain. Primary Skill: Balance Justification: Varied terrain challenges balance in all directions. Changing snow conditions challenge the ability to perform accurately and react efficiently. Slope: Expert terrain that has variable slope angle and side hills on non-groomed snow. Skier skis 10 turns while maintaining a consistent 20 to 22 meter turn size and shape regardless of the terrain and conditions Link turns with minimal traversing, maintaining speed with turn shape Any air time is controlled with skis paralleling the angle of the slope Criteria for perfect execution: Turns are round with consistent turn size Minimal traversing Skis are parallel and equidistant Any air time is controlled and landed with the skis paralleling the angle of the landing slope Skier skis with a high rate of speed Scoring: Based on the description and criteria for perfect execution above, the skier will be judged on a scale from 0 to 10 where 10 is perfect demonstration of the skill and task and 0 is the inability to demonstrate the skill and task.
Basic Jump in Terrain Park Objective: To take off and land a basic jump Primary Skill: Stance & Balance, Pressure Justification: In both speed events and ski cross it is often required to take air and land on a slope while maintaining control and maximizing speed. Slope: Beginner slope. Set-up: Use a basic jump with an upward angled takeoff. The length of the deck should be between 7-10m with a landing of equal or greater steepness to the takeoff. The skier enters the jump with the appropriate speed to make the landing The skier uses the takeoff of the jump along with any adjustments required based on speed to clear the table and make the landing cleanly Criteria for Perfect Execution: The skier maintains solid athletic position on the skis and pressure on the front of the boots during the in run to the jump Skis remain flat against the snow, parallel, and with even weight distribution between the feet during takeoff The skier moves forward through the air to maintain athletic position over skis while matching the angle of the landing slope Landing occurs on the sweet spot of the landing area Landing with both feet simultaneously, skis contacting snow all at once (tip and tail at same time) Skiers adjust fore/aft pressure to maximize speed Ski Cross Start Objective: Pull out of the start as fast as possible. Justification: Ski Cross racing is about racing in a head to head environment and being quick out of the start can greatly improve the athletes chances of success. Slope: Ski Cross Start Skier enters the start, with gate up, and adjusts handles according to their preference When skier is ready the start command is given : Skiers Ready..Attention (<5sec.) Open Skier pulls out from the start gate striving for shortest time through timing beams Criteria For Perfect Execution: The skiers time is recorded and ranked off a pace setters time