Gear West Fall/Winter Training Program Workouts
September 27, 2000
Gear West's Fall/Winter Technique
Group Wednesday night workouts are now in full swing. Most of
the workouts begin with a 10-15 minute stretching program, usually
lead by Ellen Grady. A full range of stretching, balance, and flexibility
exercises are performed.
Stretching out
|
Jan has a number of top skiers helping to coach the group. On
this particular evening, US
Olympic Biathlete Andy Erickson was there to explain some of
the latest techniques from the Norwegian teams. In particular, Andy
heavily emphasized the shift from the traditional push back skate
stroke to a more side-to-side skating motion in the legs. (See link
to video clips below.)
Andy Erickson demonstrating the new
skate stroke
|
Andy lead the group through some excellent dryland practice, working
on the proper motion, balance transfer and kickoff for an open field
skate. Top area skiers Jey Carlson and Mark Newman are regulars
with the Gear West workouts and helped to provide additional coaching.
Andy leading some dryland drills
|
After the dryland segment, the group strapped on their rollerskis
and headed out to practice this new technique on asphalt. Andy lead
a number of demonstrations, and also choose a few "volunteers" to
use an examples in correcting hitches in the form. Jan Guenther
shot video of the rollerskis for later group review and critique.
Technique work on rollerskis
|
Gear West's training group continues right up to the Birkie. As
the evening daylight hours rapidly decline, they switch from rollerskiing
to more dryland/running workouts. Once the white stuff flies, the
training continues with on-snow workouts.
Skiers can still join the Technique Group program. Check the Training
Calendar for more details.
In October, Gear West will also be featuring a XC
Ski Clinic with Nikolai Anikin. Nikolai is the famous former
Russian skier and coach with Olympic medals to his name. The clinic
will run over two days and will include video analysis and critique
from Anikin, primarily concentrating on the skating technique. There
are also options for one day sessions and special rates for students.
Video Clips
|
