On May 22nd I finished
university. I have finally handed in all my University work and I am currently
on tenterhooks waiting for the remainder of my results. It is a strange feeling
to have finally finished University; one minute I am overwhelmed with a big
sigh of relief and the other moment I am frustrated and bored with the lack of
things to do. This is also underpinned by the fact I have to join the big wide
world now and find my place in society. I graduate on Monday July 13th and I start my
job in London in September. Before all that I have 3 Months to find a house in
London and of course spend as much time skiing as possible :). So for this
summer I have planned a programme for development.
This has been backed by a very
exciting opportunity from ChillFactore. Jack
Peters and myself have been very lucky as we have been have been picked for the
Chillfactore Sponsored Skier Scheme. This gives slope time and race training
and other benefits such as strength and conditioning/nutrition advice. I am
very grateful of this offer and would like to take this opportunity to thank
Chillfactore again for this.
Following on from this I have also received
support from Simply Gym with a complementary membership for use of gym facilities.
Again I would like to take this opportunity to thank simply Gym for their
support. I definitely have no excuses now.
With the rare opportunity of having
3 spare months to do with as I please, I have taken it upon myself to focus
solely on ski development for these months. I have taken advice from coaches,
friends and family in order to maximise my development. This involves gym time,
slope time and time abroad on the mountain. I am aiming for 6 hours a week
skiing (minimum), involving dedicated time with a coach and free skiing,
working on drills and technique (I am currently writing this, sat in my
salopettes after a beasting from my coach, Steve.) I am also aiming to
get away on a mountain (subject to cost and conditions) to work on consistency
and to try and match the bulletproof ice that I experienced in Italy. I
have recently spoken with my team coach from the British Disabled Ski Team
(Euan Bennett) and we are currently organising some time with the team abroad.
Steve and I have recently been working
on ski edge control with the aim to get more separation (of my body), to
provide a bigger edge angle. He is constantly trying to push me to my limits.
Today for example, he had me single turn carving with one outrigger (with one
ski crutch.) This involved going up the lift, getting off the lift and getting
to the slope with one outrigger. Which in itself is a big enough task, when I
am used to using two crutches for everything. The first attempt was
rather sketch to say the least, Steve used the word “worried”, a word he
doesn’t use very often but after taking a shallower line I soon relaxed into it
and found it a great drill. One I hope to practice on my own…..getting up when
I fall over will be a problem but I will cross that bridge when I come to it :).
My Chief Engineer (Dad) has also
been very busy recently; he has been designing and refining a new ski tip
spreader for me. We have been looking at edge angle, making sure we can
get enough edge angle and to allow enough movement without making it too rigid
or too soft. This is a fine line but we are slowly getting there and we are
trying new designs every week (See pictures below).
I am glad to be back training and
in a routine of going to the gym. The final stresses of university took
precedence over gym time during the last few weeks but I am definitely making
up for it. I am focusing a lot on stability and rehab,. This involves using a
lot of the exercises I learnt from my training with Rob Graydon when I was
still at university. I am also focusing on my fitness, lots of sprints and
trying to improve my cardio….something I do not enjoy, but I am coming round to
the idea.
So an exciting few months to come
and I am hoping with the right commitment and programme it will bear fruits. I
am hoping to be out training in Austria in July but unsure on exact dates. No
doubt I will write another blog when I know more.
Thanks
Alex
x
If anyone would like to sponsor my cause please click here
Or email me on alexclarke1992@outlook.com
