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
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alexclarke1992@outlook.com

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