Hey racers and parents!
Welcome to the 17-18 season! Your coaches are very excited to meet and work with you to improve your skills and get faster! Your coaches this year are: Charles Gagnon, Adam Nielsen and on occasion, Carl Forcheski.
It was great to see everyone this past weekend where we worked on fundamentals such as balance and stance; edging and pressure. My thighs still hurt from our 1-ski skiing off the triple chair on Sunday!!! We will continue to work on fundamentals this coming Saturday with the focus on angulation in the AM and starts/finishes in the PM. Please come prepared to train in your SL skis with no armor or chin guard.
There will be no official training on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. However Coach Adam has generously offered to ski with any U16 who would like to ski as a group for a 1/2 day on Sunday, Christmas Eve!
Holiday Race Camp
Race camp this year begins on Tuesday, December 26th and ends on Saturday, December 30th. Be prepared to ski SL on Tuesday and Wednesday with pole guards, shin and chin guards. Our first race will be on Saturday, January 6th, GS @ Berkshire East (Beast). So we will begin GS specific gate training for it Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Although there will be no official training on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, Coach Charles has also generously offered to ski with any U16 who would like to ski as a group for a 1/2 day on Sunday, New Year’s Eve!
Tuning & Equipment
Just a few notes for the start to the season. First, make sure that your equipment is properly tuned and waxed. SL skis should be tuned to a 0.5 (or 1) degree base bevel and 3 degree side bevel. GS skis should be tuned to a 1 degree base bevel and 3 degree side bevel. This should first be done by a reputable ski shop. In lower Westchester, I recommend Hickory & Tweed and Pedigree Ski shops. Up at the mountain we currently recommend Mike Steven’s shop and are looking to others as well. Boots should not only fit correctly but should have the appropriate flex. Please ask your coaches if you have any questions regarding equipment.
Looking forward to a great season with your continued support!
Coach Pat
“Ski fast…Take chances”