Learning Curves as Steep as the Slopes

We have just got back from a hard week in Landgraaf Holland, which was for the opening ski race of the year and for race classification. 

It has been a great week with 27 Nations all coming to one venue to race. Our Team (British Disabled Ski Team) came back with an impressive haul of 5 Gold Medals, all for visually impaired skiing. Three in Female and two in Male. It was a week of highs and lows with learning curves steeper than the slopes. The First three days (Monday – Wednesday) were focussed on training. We trained predominately within Slalom gates, whilst also working on key skiing fundamentals that could be transferred onto the slope. Thursday and Friday were Race Days.

Before I was allowed to race I had to go through a classification process by the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) to put me in subclass. This was on the Wednesday and consisted of a series of tests that looked at my strength, gait, tone and spasticity of my muscles. The overall test took around 20 minutes and I was told that I qualify for an LW1 Standing class (Strong Leg impairment affecting both legs) but I also qualify for a sitting class, if I ever wish to swap to sit skiing. At this moment in time, Standing is the only thing for me; I love the challenge and love the sense of freedom and movement that I get from it.  

Thursday was the first race day. We were up at 6am and on the slope for 8 for warm-up and inspection.  The race started at around 9am I was the last man to go for Mans standing. There was 37 racers on the track before me, so the course got quite cut up. There were around 33 gates that we had to ski through, down from the usual 50 due to the size of the venue not having enough room for the usual 50 gates.   The start was a drop off a steep roller. The roller was around 8 to 10 foot, which began with a sheer drop off into a half pipe style run down to get you onto the course (the first time I have done this.)

 

As a person, I am never normally consciously nervous but this time I was. I felt sick and struggled to relax.  As I was in the queue for the start gate I felt sick and just wanted to do it….the waiting was the hardest part.  The racers dropped off the starting platform and my number came closer, I could feel my body tightening up.  I approached the start gate and the time wand was moved across my path (used to initiate the timer.) I dropped down the roller onto the course and started my first run. I heard the tannoy calling my name for Great Britain and the adrenaline hit me.  I managed to guide the skis down the top two thirds of the course and just as I was hitting the lower third of the course, I lost my balance and wasn’t quick enough to get my edge to bite and I fell over. Needless to say I wasn’t very happy.

That evening, I sat down with my coach (Euan) and we went through the video analysis of my run. I wanted to identify the feeling I got from the run with how I actually ski’d, so I could remedy it in future.  Looking at the footage from the first race, I was tense, broke at the waist and not looking where I was going, everything a skier shouldn’t be.  Needless to say I was gutted but I knew what I had done wrong and what I needed to do for the next race.

Friday came and the second race quickly approached. I had a great warm-up, I felt confident, at ease and was skiing great (the best I felt I have ever ski’d.) I had good form and was moving on the ski and felt in control.  The course inspection went well, the gates looked good and achievable, besides the big patches of ice.

I walked up to the start gate like the day before, a lot more relaxed and at ease. The countdown began, I dropped into the course straight onto sheet ice, unable to get my edge in quick enough from the compression of the roller, losing a lot of height and hitting a pile of snow, falling over.

Needless to say I was absolutely gutted, I had felt good that day and was feeling confident for making it down the course.  Unfortunately my lack of experience and even lack of time in gates was my downfall. I did not notice the change in conditions from the inspection.  Even though I wasn’t happy, I have learnt a lot and there was a lot of experience and positives to bring out of this.

 My ‘attempts’ at these races just makes me more determined to come back stronger and smash it. I have plans in place to progress for my next race, which should be Austria in January.

 I have to remember what is an achievement for myself and not get detracted by other peoples success or the speed they pick up something. I am still very new to this and I have a lot to learn. Two little races will not hold me back from goal, they are but just walls I need to climb to get there. …I was feeling quite philosophical writing this, can you tell??

Thanks

Alex

PS

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Arriving in Landgraaf

After an overnight ferry and a very early start, we have finally landed here in Landgraaf.

As mentioned in my previous blog, Landgraaf (Holland) is home to Snowworld one of the biggest indoor ski slopes in the world.  I am here for 3 days training, classification and 2 days racing.

There are nations from all over Europe here. They have come for classification and to race in the first IPCAS (International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing) race of the season. 

Classification is used to give racers their subclass for the overall class (Standing, Sitting, Visually Impaired.) Subclasses works similar to the golf handicap where it gives racers with less of a disability less of a time bonus then of those with more of a disability.

It has been a hectic month, not just training/conditioning myself for the race but also with university. Work has picked up and I am finding myself spending more and more time researching for assignments, which at times has detracted from my training….much to my annoyance.

But besides the conflict of interests I am still finding I am improving and getting stronger. Steve from DSUK has been putting me through my paces at Chillfactore and is focussing more and more on pushing me to the limit. 

Right enough of me waffling on I will check back with you guys after my Race on Friday…Wish me Luck.

Alex

If you wish to contact me please email me at alexclarke1992@outlook.com 

The Road to Landgraaf

It is now a little under 4 weeks to Landgraaf and my first official race. I am still training hard and managing my final year at the same time.

Landgraaf is in Holland and is home to one of the biggest indoor ski slopes in the world.

I will be there from 17th November - 22nd November for 3 days race training/classification and 2 days racing in the IPCAS Race League (International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing).

The purpose of classification is to put me within my sub class for mens standing, every athlete depending on their level of disability has a class such as LW1, LW2 etc which grades their disability and range of movement in order to give a time bonus that is suitable for the disability.

The race is the first one of the year and unlike other slalom races is a nice warm up and introduction to slalom as there are 20 less gates than a standard outdoor slalom (30 instead of 50). This is due to the venue not be able to have 50 gates within the guidelines in the space.

I am still training hard and refusing to not completely convert back to the student lifestyle of pizza and beer, although at times that is quite difficult. I still enjoy an odd sherbet but no more nights of countless Sambuca shots and tactical vomitting in order to last the night.

I am visting Chillfactore at least once a week to have lessons with Steve and Disability Snowsport UK in order to push my technical skills. Steve is really trying to push me to the limit and makes lessons interesting and challenging (there is definitely no slacking with him and he's really good at laying it down and telling it how it is).
Recently we have been trying to work more on turning when the terrain dictates you to, not when you want to and getting my feet moving quicker. For this we have been utilising the terrain parks within Chillfactore and using the Ski Cross course.  This involved jumps and skiing round burns in order to get quick edge initiation and get over the psychological effect that my feet can actually move that fast.

We have also been doing off the slope work in the form of using SweetSpots. SweetSpots is a block that is fastened onto the bottom of the ski boot and is used to give sensory awareness to the skier and getting them centred on the ski.  There is varying levels of difficulty. Steve has had me progressing quickly through these in order to get the best position for me whilst I ski.




In terms of Gym training I am still on my 5 day split training at Ironman Gym in Preston.  This gym is great for targeting specific muscles in order to get the most out of my set for added performance and movement.

I am excited for Landgraaf and I am really trying to push the last 4 weeks in order to get the most out of my training on and off the slope.  My aims and objectives for these next few weeks is to get my feet moving quicker and to get a better position over the ski for a strong turn initiation. I am looking forward to seeing all the team again and to get back on the slope.

Alex
x

alexclarke1992@outlook.com

If you would like to donate to my cause or here my story from the beginning click here 

Back in Training

Hi Guys :)

Just wanted to check in with you all.

I have now moved back to university and I am back training in full.

Against therapists orders I have trained a bit after my little crash but not on full form.

Yesterday was the first day since Hintertux where I feel I am back on track and making some serious gains.

I am feeling it today because of it and limped more than usual getting up the stairs.

I am excited to be back at uni and hopefully will be able to fit my studies round skiing. (or in my parents case, skiing round studies...but we won't tell them that :p) 

I have taken on some tips from my time in Hintertux and I have adapted my 5 day strength and conditioning split. I am working on my core a lot more and I am trying to work on stability. 

I am currently on the market trying to find a second hand bosu ball. 

My new house at university is good, there is just two of us living together. Both of us are in our final year so we are on the same wave length and it is a perfect location for uni.

My lectures start on the 19th of September so I have a little while to get settled before I am back to it. 

Next lesson booked for monday, can't wait to get back on the boards :) 

Alex

x

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Or Contact me on alexclarke1992@outlook.com

Hintertux Austria

Hi Guys :)

I got back from Austria Saturday after two weeks race training.

This was my first camp and the first real opportunity to meet the team and see how they function.

We stayed at Hintertux resort, just up from Mayrhofen. The resort is well known for summer skiing and is aimed mainly at the ski racer.

The camp itself had a strict routine set out by the British Disabled ski team in order to facilitate continuous improvement.

 There was 14 Athletes there with disabilities ranging from Visual impairments to complete paraplegics. Each with varying levels of experience.

The team had a great atmosphere especially to come into as a new starter.  The team were welcoming and eager to give advice on how to 'get on' and get as much out of the time here as possible, whilst also giving tips on tuning gear and also skiing.

The programme roughly consisted of:
6am Wake up
7am Breakfast
8am Meet at lift and catch first lift to the top
9am -12:30pm Ski training
2pm-3pm Strength and conditioning
3pm -4pm Recovery
4:30pm- 5:30pm Video Analysis
5:30pm - 7pm Ski Preparation
7pm Dinner
9pm Bed

The camp also had pre set off snow days which each athlete had to follow in order to rest accordingly but also to gain some theoretical knowledge around ski racing and ski tuning.

Every day skis had to be tuned, this consisted of re waxing the bases of the ski in order for the ski to glide correctly across the snow and filing and sharpening the edges of the ski. This was so that the edges would bite into the snow/ice better for better turn initiation and control at speed.

The Hotel was fantastic, it was a family run hotel which had been around for a few years. All the staff knew you on a first name basis and were very accommodating. On the first breakfast we were asked what was our favourite types of eggs. For the rest of the camp we received that every day without even asking. They bent over backwards in order for us to get the most of the camp.  On the second week it was my birthday, the hotel dressed and decorated the dining room and even baked me a cake to make my time away from home as special as possible.

There was a lot of camaraderie between all the athletes, this made a good atmosphere and everyone was up for a laugh. There was no limit to the banter as all athletes had a disability and everyone was accepting of everyone else.  I soon got nicknamed "the crippler" due to one of my T shirts having "cripple" on the back.  

We were split into 3 groups, each group had an individual aim. This was aimed at getting the most out of each athlete in order for them to perform to the highest standard when put into a race.  Each group had their own individual coach with the head coach Tony McAllister floating in-between all the groups giving advice and filming for the video analysis later in the day.

My groups goal was to gain a firm understanding of the fundamentals of skiing.

My coach was James Redpath, James was the Head Instructor at Cairngorn Ski School in Scotland and had been teaching adaptive for a few years. He was patient and great at giving feedback.

The first day we went out I was asked to ski on my Slalom skis in order to gauge my current skill level and to understand what basic skills I needed to work on to maximise my performance in a race. The day was hard but was great to understand where I currently sat.

At the end of the day we had meetings with Tony (head coach) to go through our goals and aims for the camp. My goals was to become proficient at using my Giant Slalom ski's and to gain finer edge control and better and more consistent skiing.  Once these goals had been established we came up with a plan on how to achieve this.

*In Ski racing, depending on the discipline (Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G and Downhill)  depends on what length of ski you have to ski on with Slalom being the shortest ski used for much quicker turns and downhill ski's being the longer ski used for fast carves at high speed*

My plan was to learn the basics on my slalom skis for the first couple of days and then swap to the giant slalom ski to gain experience on these.

The first week and a half consisted of hitting these goals and was quite intense, I was knackered at the end of each day and was glad that it was lights out at pm, I definitely needed the rest.

The strength and conditioning consisted of a core workout and was used to remove the lactic acid build up from the day. A few of us took the opportunity to make best use of the glacier river to have an ice bath at the end of each day.....I can't describe how cold that was :O brrr..

 The last few days consisted of slalom race training so I was back on the shorter skis. After a week and a half on giant slalom ski's, the slalom skis sure felt much easier to use and much more nimble. I felt as the time went on in the camp I improved dramatically. I managed to get my weight over the ski's much better, was moving much more and was able to ski with much more precision. This has been something I have found challenging.

On the last day I tried my first attempt at going through a slalom course, knocking my go pro off my helmet in the process and head butting a few of the gates out of the way(they don't call me smasher for nothing), I quickly got into a bit of a rhythm and absolutely loved it.

 Unfortunately this day was cut short as I had a little accident on the ski's and was forced to retire for the day having a quick check in hospital. Everything was fine, just a bit battered and bruised, I was just annoyed that my last day was cut short but I learnt lots in the process.

I absolutely loved this camp, the professional attitude and the members made it an amazing experience. I felt that my skiing improved dramatically and has given me so many new ideas to put into my gym routine at home.  I cannot wait to get back on the ski's and put what I have learnt into practice.

So what's next ?

Classification in Landgraaf in November with maybe the opportunity to train again in October.

Alex
x


PS Gear took a bit of a battering....

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Access for all Ski Race & Weekend before Hintertux

Hi Guys,

This is the start of my journey.

I have just got back from the Access for All Ski Race at Milton Keynes. Today was a slalom event for DSUK (Disabled Snow Sports UK) in the snozone indoor venue. This was the first time I have skied at Milton Keynes and also the first time I got to to try out my new slalom skis in a race, so all in all a good experience.

Although this was a fun race and was more of an opportunity to meet some of the guys I will be training with in Hintertux, I tried to push the boundaries and really push my speed and see what I could get out of my new ski's. At some times this prevailed but I did bail a few times and taste some powder.

At the end of the race I was around 7 seconds behind the paralympic skier, lots of things to learn and I am really looking forward to the camp away.

Everyone seemed really nice and was great to meet some of the team.

On Monday I fly to Munich then onto Hintertux Austria for two weeks training with the British Disabled Ski Team. This is my first camp, the camp operates on around 4 hours ski training in the morning with 2 hours of strength & conditioning training in the afternoon.  The camp will focus more on the Giant Slalom (GS) racing as we are unable to practice this in England.

This will also be my first time on a pair of Giant Slalom ski's, the skis are a lot longer than any ski I have ski'd before and have to be a specific length in order to fit in with the regulations.

I am currently sat waiting for my gear to dry so I can finish my packing tomorrow(Sunday).

Excited with streaks of trepidation.

Alex
x


(image courtesy of http://loveallblogs.wordpress.com/06-02-12-love-lifestyle-weekly-showcase/)