I am currently writing this as I drive through Germany (I am
a passenger.) We are heading to Rotterdam for the overnight ferry back to hull
after a successful and tiring two weeks training and racing.
The fortnight has got to be one of the most successful and
productive trips I have been on, for myself personally. A lot has changed during the trip and as the
trip went on I found out quite a lot about myself as well.
There was a small group of guys on the trip, without the
effeminate touch of a woman, we soon descended into chaos. The table was rife
with banter and we laughed and joked our way through the trip.
For the first week in Saalbach we had a coach called Ross. Ross
was great and had a brilliant way of putting things across and was willing to
go out of his way for you. Saalbach is a large resort and we were staying in
the Hinterglemm part. For most of the week we were training on the world cup
course, a much steeper pitch than I have trained on before and there were some
different cambers to play around with. As mentioned in my previous blog he had
us getting some mileage on the first day and then some Giant Slalom gate
training on the second day. As the week went on he understood how we worked
more and more and pushed us further and further.
One of the things I struggle with is keeping my skis apart,
as my hips tend to turn in. I have to really focus on keeping the skis wide.
This means I am normally focussing on that and cannot focus on the drills. This
problem is increased when travelling at speed or on a steeper slope, which can
make racing a problem.
After a few long days, eating a lot of powder and being
exhausted, Ross suggested that I try tethering the tips of my skis together
with a solid piece of either metal or plastic. This is something I had not
thought about, I had thought about tying them with string but not with
something that is solid. Unlike other standing classifications, I am allowed to
tie my tips together in order to help with turning. Ross assured me to keep an
open mind and a few days later after trying a few different things, I had some
big holes in my skis (much to the horror for my coach at home) and we botched
together a ski brace. The benefits were
instantly seen and I was able to throw myself down a giant slalom course and
just focus on the line, whilst getting faster and faster.
Giant slalom quickly became my favourite discipline; I love
being able to let the skis run, whilst looking for the fastest way down the
mountain. Just wait till I get on a set of speed skis, don’t think my mother
will approve of that one though!
Justin (another coach) joined us just before race day and
was there to share the load with Ross for race day and to take over after,
taking us to the Italian Champs. Justin
was great, he was a real down to earth guy that was up for a laugh and made
training fun but could draw the line between work and play. A great trait to
have in a coach.
Race day came; the first day was Giant Slalom. There were
some big names in the sport competing and the course looked pretty intense.
Markus Salcher the current world number 3# in Giant Slalom was competing and
Thomas Grocher another one of the worlds best. It was great to be competing
alongside some of the worlds best, even if I knew I would be nowhere near their
time (for now :).)
The course consisted of around 40 gates there was a top section that was quite
simple, the course dropped onto a steep right turn through a fast section. I
nearly fell over on inspection due to the camber, which made me instantly wary
and think about a different approach to this bit. I was one of the last men’s
standing to go and time seem to stand still. I dropped onto the course and the
feeling of exhilaration came back to me from landgraaf in November and I
focussed on just nursing the skis down. The first few gates went well, I was
taking a wider line than I had in training in order to be sure I was in control
and ready for the steeper section. I
dropped onto the steep right turn, I over rotated slightly and ended up
backwards at one bit but managed to pull it back and get back on track. A
couple more mistakes later, nearly tripping over my outriggers, due to the
nerves, I got to the last section. A steep section with 3 turns then a straight
line towards the finish. Dropping onto
the last section I pressed hard through my outriggers and through my feet in
order to get them round and keep on the line. I came to the last turn and my
skis were pointed for the finish line, I was overwhelmed, overwhelmed that much
that I forgot how to stop and had to crash. Not the Didier Cuche style of
finish but a finish, none the less.
After a few moments of celebrating with friends and family I
prepared for my second run. Due to
weather conditions, we had a second run of the same course, there was no
inspection and we were straight into it.
Not quite judging the times right we were at the start gate a lot
earlier than we had expected, it was cold and was starting rain/sleet. Cat
suits are not warm to say the least, I was wrapped in a blanket and was trying
my best to keep warm - a flask would have been greatly appreciated at that
moment!
I started my second run, cold but eager to get down.
Unfortunately due to the mechanics of my ski brace my skis crossed at the tip
slightly, stopping me from being able to press to turn, causing me to fall. I
was gutted but I had to look at what I had achieved so far. I had managed to
ski a Giant Slalom on a World Cup Course. I also fell on a section on the
toughest section of the run.
The slalom the next day was not as fruitful but there were
still positives to take. The course itself looked quite decent but the start
gate was steep and required quick feet. Unfortunately hitting a bump on the way
down I ended up in the powder causing me to slip. Needless to say I was gutted
but I picked myself up, analysed my approach and learnt from it.
We got back to training the next few days with Justin in
charge, we spent the first few days practicing slalom and then we were back on
the Giant Slalom skis. The conditions were crisp in the morning but softened by
mid afternoon. Justin was getting me to get my ski more in the fore line in
order to increase speed and make it easier to turn. I found my speed increased dramatically as
the week went on and I was moving more and more on the ski. If you would like
to see some videos from training:
There are some good bails on some of the videos…enjoy :)
There were no rest days so recovery was taken seriously, I
was foam rolling twice a day and making sure to eat plenty and get enough
sleep. After one of the training
sessions we all went to a spa in Kaprun. Being eligible for the higher tier of
discount plus the benefits of a free plus one, it would be rude not too take
advantage of this. We were let loose in a Spa with access to heated
outdoor/indoor swimming pools, relaxation rooms, saunas, steam rooms, salt
pools and slides. This is all with the
aim of relaxing the muscles to enable me to ski to a higher standard of course J.
We drove to Italy on
the Friday, driving down through the Bolzen Pass for around 4 -5 hours. I drove
down with Jack; we followed the van until the Sat Nav started working again, and
then drove on ahead.
There was some stunning scenery in Italy and it was hot.
There was one thing in the back of our minds during the whole journey though,
where is the snow?
We arrived in Folgaria and after a miss match with addresses
we finally arrived at the hotel, there was snow on the runs and the courses
looked like they had been well prepared for the race. The night we arrived saw
icy winds and freezing cold temperatures the morning of the race was crisp to
say the least.
First day was Slalom, a chairlift to the top, I soon
realised I was skiing on something I had never skied on before. The piste was
like bulletproof glass, due to the race preparations and the icy winds from the
night before.
Unfortunately due to the conditions I wasn’t able to get
enough edge angle I slipped out on the third or fourth gate in.
The second day of Giant Slalom saw better conditions but
there were a few equipment problems and my tether bar broke mid run. I ended up
getting wrapped up in a safety net. It was quite funny actually, I was like a
fly wrapped in a spiders web and I had about 7 course attendants trying to
unravel me and my skis.
Although disappointed from not completely finishing a race
it has been an invaluable experience. I learnt a lot about myself particularly
in terms of my physical abilities and personal preferences, and my skiing increased dramatically. I will
finish a race eventually; I am getting stronger and faster every day I ski. I
can do it in training and I have skied some fast runs I just need to get that
into the race. I will pass that finish line and then my target will be on the
horizon for me to work at.
I will take what I have learnt and come back stronger then
ever. Steve my coach at home has already
received my list of things I want to work on.
Overall the team did well, John Dickinson and his guide Jack
Davey were really on form coming back with 3 Gold Medals and a Silver in Slalom
and Giant Slalom gave them a great end to the season. This draws the end to the
2014/2015 season and now the training for the next year begins.
Thanks
Alex
x
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Or email me on alexclarke1992@outlook.com
