I’ve been involved in a FIS-driven project that brought together an international group of experts from every field related to ski racing performance to establish protocols for injury prevention, treatment, rehab, and return to snow. We have developed a Needs Assessment Questionnaire that we are trying to get out to as many Snowsport stakeholders as [...]
In my recent ski racing articles, I’ve been focusing on how racers can use the fall to get maximally prepared to ski their best when race season begins. Well, with winter approaching, there’s another stakeholder in our ski racing community who also needs to get ready for the demands of the race season: Parents! As [...]
It’s hard to believe the summer, what I consider Phase I of the ski racing prep period, is almost over. Hopefully, the summer was devoted to building the foundation for your success next winter. In all likelihood, your efforts focused on three areas. First, you engaged in an intensive physical conditioning program. The reality of [...]
It’s 5:15am. It’s cold (around 42 degrees), still dark, and you can hear the rain pummeling the roof of your house or dorm room. You know you’ve got a challenging workout this morning that’s going hurt…a lot. How much do you want to get out of bed at that moment in time? Well, we can [...]
Goal setting is a simple and practical mental tool you can use to maintain a high level of motivation in your ski racing. For some very elemental reason, people respond to goals in a very deep and personal way. The experience of setting a goal, working toward a goal, and achieving a goal has a [...]
Ski racing is one of the most difficult sports to master because it’s one of the few that you can’t do locally all year round. Think of sports like baseball, tennis, swimming, the list goes on. You could conceivably practice these sports literally every day, thus giving you the reps you need far sooner compared [...]
It happens every winter. In December, January, and February, I get calls from national team athletes and parents of young racers who are struggling mentally in their ski racing, and they have big races coming up. They want me to somehow fix them quickly. Though I think I’m pretty good at what I do, I’m [...]
Yes, the 2022-23 race season is over and you are looking back at it with either pride or disappointment. Whichever emotion you feel, please do feel it (deeply) for a little while, then put the past behind you and turn your gaze to the future, meaning next season. Being the best ski racer you can [...]
With COVID-19 in our rearview mirror this past race season, ski racing in the U.S. and worldwide returned to some semblance of normalcy, with training and race opportunities again in abundance. Unfortunately, at the same time, another global problem, namely, climate change, has made training and racing more challenging, with too much snow in the [...]
Over the last few years, I’ve established great relationships with some outstanding sports companies. I’ve partnered with them because they embody what I value in sports-related products: innovation, superior quality, and leading-edge performance. In a series of posts, I’m re-introducing these exceptional companies and people to you so you will consider adding what they have [...]
