A report submitted by Andrew Lambert, BC Ski Team Strength and Conditioning Consultant
The BC Women’s Ski Team has just returned from their third dryland camp of the summer held in Fernie BC. The goal of the camp was to train in an environment that allowed us to get outside and do a variety of different and challenging activities. Fernie provides this environment with virtually no distractions. As the girls completed the toughest block of training in our physical preparation phase, a major goal was to keep both the volume and intensity high while finding new limits beyond the athletes’ comfort zone.
Most days began with a 2-3 hour strength session at Evolution Gym. They have recently finished extensive renovations at Evolution which makes it very functional for athletes. Thanks to Scott Cownden and his staff for making the facility very accessible to us. Following lunch and a bit of a rest, we spent the afternoons either out on the mountain bikes or on a hike and then cooling off in the river. Thanks to Alan Young and Curtis Rytz for their help in guiding the group around the woods and trails.
Our ‘day off’ was not really a day off at all! We spent the morning out in the bush helping James Freeman build a fence line to keep his cattle in check and then the afternoon out hiking the local mountains around Pincher Creek, AB. I think the girls got a pretty intense workout hammering 6ft long wooden spikes into the ground, not to mention distributing them along a km of rugged terrain. Thanks to the Freeman family for their hospitality.
The final workout for the girls was a sled-pull session on the last day. Traditionally this is a rite of passage for our alpine skiers, requiring not just physical fitness but a higher degree of mental toughness and character. There were no pukers in the group, but a couple of close calls.
Big thanks to Mike Delich for his support and guidance through the camp. Mike provided us with complimentary accommodation at the Timberline lodge as well as guiding us up the local mountains. Thanks also to Richard, owner of Rippin’ Richards Eatery. We had a fantastic meal on Richard which I know the girls really appreciated at that stage in the camp.
And thanks to the Rytz and Young families for hosting team dinners.
The BC women’s team has a short break now before heading on snow at Mt Hood.
Athletes at the camp:
Sarah Freeman (Fernie Alpine Ski Team)
Celine Rytz (Fernie Alpine Ski Team)
Jocelyn Ramsden (Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Sarah Elliot (Big White Racers)
Kailee Darlington (Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Mackensey Young (Fernie Alpine Ski Team)
Rebecca Bermel (Kimberley North Star Racers)
Alexandria Pankratz (Big White Racers)
Coaches
Aaron Speden – Assistant Coach
Andrew Lambert – Dryland Coach
(Gregor Druzina, Head Coach of the women’s team, is at home recovering from recent shoulder surgery)