For two weeks in September, the Men's and Women's BC Ski Teams enjoyed superb training at The Portillo Ski Resort in Chile, SA. It was well worth 17 hours of travel time as they arrived to near-perfect weather and snow conditions, not to mention the incredible food and service provided by the staff at the resort.
Men's Team coaches Dale Stephens and Glenn Thomsen had six athletes in their charge: Ben Chaddock (Whistler Mountain Ski Club), Dustin Fraser (Mt. Washington), Graham Kraft (Vernon Ski Club), Scott Hume (Whistler Mountain Ski Club), Robbie Dixon (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) and invitee Paul Rokosh (Kimberley North Star Racers).
The women's group was made up of seven BCST athletes: Danielle Poleschuk (Fernie Alpine Ski Team), Alison Leighton (Whistler Mountain Ski Club), Danielle Robson (Whistler Mountain Ski Club), Kendall Benbow (Whistler Mountain Ski Club), Lindsay Kraft (Vernon Ski Club), Charlotte Whitney (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) and Jenni Graham (Mt. Washington). They were accompanied by Head Coach Nancy O'Neill and Assistant Coach Andrew Lambert.
Less snow on the mountain than in previous years meant that Downhill training was not possible, but our athletes took full advantage of some excellent opportunities for Slalom, GS and Super G training. Portillo played host to many elite international teams this summer, including the US Women's Speed Team, the Italian Men and Women's Teams and the US Men's Speed Team. Our athletes were fortunate to spend some time training along side members of the US Men's Speed Team on parallel GS courses. There is tremendous benefit in having such athletes as Bode Miller, Daron Rahlves and Eric Schlopey as visual role models! Not only did they ski beside these champions, but they ate meals with them and tuned their skis in the same room, gaining a better understanding of what makes a great athlete.
The weather cooperated throughout the camp, with clear skies during the day and freezing temperatures at night, allowing our teams to complete 11 of the 11 planned on-snow training days. The athletes are home for a two week dryland (and school) block before heading to Invermere for two months of skiing at Panorama.
PHOTOS FROM PORTILLO – PHOTO CREDIT: ANDREW LAMBERT