We're home!

We're back to skiing at Burke, making laps on the Poma, and we are all PSYCHED about it. It's good to be home!

Checking in on Training Hill

Coach McKim evaluates snow depth on training hill. So far so good. Still some work to do before tomorrow, but we'll be up there no matter what!

Colorado Living

The Colorado camp has extended itself a little further for a few lucky Burkie Bears, and the training is just as sweet as it was earlier in November.
Ronnie, Lexi, Trevor, Dani and Mike all had an early morning SG session on the copper speed venue they will be racing on in a few days, and Nicole and Eliza had a great afternoon slalom session at Loveland. The slalom session was followed by a Q & A with a family of legends, Janica and Ivica Kostelic at the Loveland Ski Club.
All in all, it was a productive day for everyone!

Tug of War

Char at Jay

Charlotte Williams takes to the slopes at Jay Peak this morning. Welcome back Char!

Peter Fill gives a lesson

Here is a great video of Peter Fill enroute to winning the 2 DH races at Copper 11-15-12.

At the airport!

Checking in and getting ready to fly home!

We are coming home!

This seems like its going to make us popular with the airlines, right?

See you soon, parents!

SL Training

Today the FIS group trained SL on the upper portion of Switchback.  It was a really fun day with the girls and guys all training together.  We set up the timer and had the split 4 gates down so everyone could work on pushing out of the start and getting up to speed quickly. As you can see from the first photo it was pretty busy up there.  

Henry Tomlinson

Fredrik Maurstad

Inspection

Alumni!

U16s a few hours later...

I told you they would have more energy! A group of U16 girls trained GS at Loveland Valley alongside the U16 boys. It was a challenging morning but everyone is skiing really well. Here are a few shots from the day...thanks for the fancy camera, Harlow!

U16s before 6AM

This motley group of girls is waiting for breakfast at 5:50 - we have early lane space at Loveland and will be training GS. I am certain they will have more energy by 7!

Skiing A. Basin

A few U-14s took to the slopes at Arapahoe Basin today. Even though it only has the standard two trails that all the mountains around here are touting, the snow was awesome, the trails were perfect for ripping GS, and it was fun to ski a new spot. Below are a few photos from the day.

 McKenna, Lizzy, Lucy, Avery - top of A. Basin in the background

 Megan, Parker, Lucy, Lizzy

We tried a photo shoot, but I never got the 'perfect' shot. This one is good technique, but I was wishing for the sun, snow, AND good tech. Oh well. 

11.16.12 Winding down

We had a great day of training slalom, the girls are starting to get a bit tired, but everyone is still progressing.  The picture is of the backside of Copper. Hopefully everyone is ready for a great Thanksgiving break!!

Winding Down, Winding Up

The camp may be winding down in Colorado.  But things are winding up here at home.  I ran into Tim on Lower Warren's Way admiring the new snowmaking.  He reports that Darling Point to the summit is ready to roll and that we are on target for a 11/23 opening day.  I've got my pass.  My skis are

I also wanted to give you guys a tour of the basement of the new training building.

US Ski Team Event

The U-16s and U-14s had a day off today, which luckily for them coincided with the US Ski Team's Announcement at Vail this afternoon. It was quite the scene with USA memorabilia, TV cameras, and many sponsors giving out free gear. The athletes were psyched. Here are a few photos of the event. 

 Madison, Jordan & Nina 

Parker & Morgan get interviewed!

 The girls check out the POC table

Mikeala Shiffrin '13 speaking during the event (sorry it didn't come out well)

Colorado Camp rolls on

As we start talking about plans for getting home and which family members everyone will be seeing for thanksgiving, it's clear that this camp is starting to wind down. From every athlete's attitude however, it feels like things are just starting to wind up. We are met with groans when we talk about days off, and requests for 'one more run' when the end of the day nears.
Today was no different. After nine months to the day since Moriah Wilson was in gates, she slipped back into a stubby slalom course like it was an old pair of sneakers. As for most of the rest of the FIS group, the difference from their first day on Super G skis to their second was dramatic. The skiing was smoother, the tucks more aerodynamic, and their moves to the front of the ski more confident; a perfect transition into an early morning GS session at Loveland tomorrow.
We can only hope the camp finishes as strongly as it had been going so far!

A View From the Copper Speed Track

Moriah Wilson in the start for her first run back in gates

First day of Speed

After a morning spent with Harry (where we got a lift ride in with BMA Alum Lindsay Cone) working through his return to ski program we met up with the rest of the group to travel east on I-70 for our first day of Super G.

We arrived at Copper early to check bindings and go over our program as the Austrian men's speed team was wrapping up their session.  I still get star struck when I get to watch guys like Klaus Kroell chat with his tech and pack up his stuff.

As you can see it was a gorgeous day at Copper and everyone did a great job their first day in gates on a totally new hill.  Fun for me to alternate watching the BMA crew run on one course and the Austrian women right next to them, I could hardly tell a difference.  Can't wait for tomorrow.

Burkie Alums

There are so many people from the ski world in Summit and Eagle Counties right now. So far this trip we have seen the following teams at Loveland: GMVS, SMS, Okemo, Alaska, Warner, Jackson Hole, Aspen, Loveland, Rowmark, British Columbia, and I might be forgetting others. That's just at Loveland, not to mention Copper or Vail's training sites where I know the US, Canadians, Europeans, Sugar Bowl, Park City, and more are training. It is quite the scene. Amongst the craziness, it is always fun to run into BMA alums. Today Lindsay Cone '06 (also USST alum) drove up from grad school at DU to take a few runs, as she's getting back on snow after a knee injury last year. She has one more year of eligibility racing for DU. It is always fun to see the alums and hear what they are up to. Watch for her name this year and cheer her on!
Here's a photo of us. (I told her to not look so tall, but it still didn't work... she's about 6'2" tall!)

And here's just a random goofy photo of some U-16 boys on a quick break in the lodge today.

Sven, Cole, Ryan

Secret USST Races: GS

Here's a photo from the top secret USST GS races. Tim Jitloff stayed hot and won both races.

The Opportunities of Cold

Many of our Burkies had a well deserved day off and it was also good day to take a break as the temperatures were VERY eastern like. I had the opportunity as did Ronnie, Eliza, Lexi and Jack to experience winters first true chill at Copper as the mercury held steady in the 0-10 range. Plus with the wind howling and the sun dropping (our lane time was 1-4pm) an intense snow squall rushed in dumping 2-4 inches in 30 minutes! Truefully, it got down right nasty!

I'm sure for any of you that have volunteered for a BMA race get the picture. But what I want to explain is how this was the day that we Burkies were able take the cold as an opportunity to psyche out our competition. Little do they know it's not all about being tough, but also about being street smart. When it gets this cold we use little tricks to help us get through the coldest of days. Listed below are just a few. Today many our Burkies withstood through the cold, got additional runs, and managed to win a few timed training runs. Way to go Burkies!

*Clean dry socks
*Heavy dosages of baby powder on your feet (to keep them smooth and DRY) just before you put on your socks.
*Wear goggles instead of sunglasses.
*Move slowly! Never allow yourself to sweat.
*Wear a layer that has a hoodie.
*Wear a jacket that has a hood!
*Wear a neckie that not only goes around your neck, but continues up and and surrounds your head with lovely insulation. -add a hat or helmet and instantly you have doubled your "R" value.
*Hike up the hill to fix gates never down. It makes you look really good, its good for your heart, and your core will warm spreading that heated blood to the feet, face and hands.
*When explaining things or telling a story use as much body english as possible.
*Don't be afraid to give friends, competitors, or even people you barely know a big HUG when you see them. -gives additional body heat, promotes good will, and its just nice.
*Put large quantities of bag balm on your face, nose and ears. -you have to try this one to believe it.
*Think positively, the mountains are beautiful!

Off Day Activities

Both the FIS and U16/14 groups had the weekend off, after a 5-day stint last week. Below are a few photos. The Silverthorne Rec Center has been a staple for the FIS crew, and this weekend the U16/14 group had some fun too.

 Hot tub time. Isabel, Anna B, and Julia 

 Outdoor hot tub: McKenna, Bay, Avery, Lexi H.

 The water slide is a big hit. Even the coaches have tested it out. 

 Parker and Lizzy threw a welcoming Sponge Bob party for the new invitees who arrived to the U16/14 camp today. So thoughtful!

Our athletic trainer, Greg, is doing his best to help our athletes stay healthy!

John Dwyer Presents...

John attended the WC races in Solden this October and today, he presented his findings on equipment trends. It was a very thorough look at what's going on with equipment at the highest levels of our sport. Thanks John!