Seymour, Buzek and J Palmquist / Pictures U.S. Ski & Snowboard
The Second Annual Rocky Mountain Division Roundtable supplied uncommon entry to the concepts, experiences, and training philosophies shaping American ski racing.
The way forward for American ski racing is commonly mentioned on chairlifts, in workforce vans, and beside coaching lanes. On Could 23 at Copper Mountain, Colorado, these conversations took heart stage.
The Second Annual Rocky Mountain Division Roundtable introduced collectively Stifel U.S. Ski Workforce males’s technical coaches Paul Epstein, Tristan Glasse-Davies, and Miha Verdnik, together with athletes Jett Seymour, Stanley Buzek, and Jevin Palmquist, for a day of dialogue targeted on teaching, athlete improvement, and the pathway to the very best ranges of the game.
Organized by Rocky Mountain Division and Workforce Summit, the occasion supplied a uncommon alternative for coaches, athletes, and oldsters to listen to instantly from the folks working with among the quickest ski racers on this planet. Particular recognition goes to Rocky/Central Regional Growth Director Darlene Nolting and Workforce Summit Alpine Director Aldo Radamus, whose efforts helped make the Roundtable attainable.
The worth of the occasion was not present in a single presentation or takeaway. As an alternative, it got here from the chance to listen to how elite coaches suppose, how elite athletes developed, and the way these classes might be utilized all through the U.S. ski racing system.
Why does this occasion matter?
Furthermore, the Roundtable’s return for a second consecutive yr displays a rising urge for food for direct communication between coaches working at completely different ranges of the game. Alternatives to trade concepts between membership packages, regional improvement programs, and World Cup employees stay comparatively uncommon, making occasions like this particularly beneficial.
Nolting opened the dialogue by emphasizing the significance of bringing coaches collectively. Her imaginative and prescient was easy: create stronger connections between the coaches growing younger athletes and the coaches engaged on the World Cup stage. The aim was to not create uniformity, however to encourage a shared understanding of the game and the language used to show it.
That theme carried all through the day.
What can coaches be taught from the shows?
Epstein’s presentation provided an in depth look into the technical ideas at the moment emphasised throughout the Stifel U.S. Ski Workforce males’s technical program. Coaches in attendance gained perception into how techniques and approach work collectively, together with the idea of snowboarding into the “pocket” of the flip to create house, stress, and power earlier than launch.
Somewhat than specializing in remoted actions or particular person drills, Epstein introduced a framework for understanding fashionable technical snowboarding and switch improvement. For coaches working with growing athletes, it was a uncommon probability to see how present World Cup coaches manage and talk complicated technical ideas.
Glasse-Davies approached the game from a broader improvement perspective. Drawing on years of expertise guiding British slalom standout Dave Ryding from exterior the world’s elite to a World Cup winner, he spoke about consistency, deliberate observe, curiosity, and the endurance required to construct success over time.
His message was clear: significant progress is never the results of shortcuts. As an alternative, long-term improvement is dependent upon constant work, considerate planning, and a willingness to repeatedly be taught and adapt.
Why was the athlete panel equally beneficial?
Whereas the coaches supplied perception into present World Cup coaching and improvement philosophies, the athletes usually supplied essentially the most relatable solutions of the day.
On the identical time, many questions from improvement coaches centered on challenges encountered lengthy earlier than athletes attain the World Cup. Every athlete progressed by means of the U.S. improvement pathway and will communicate firsthand about setbacks, progress, coaching environments, and the realities of advancing within the sport.
In consequence, their views helped bridge the hole between junior racing and elite competitors, giving coaches beneficial context that may be troublesome to seek out in shows alone.
Definitely worth the time
For individuals who couldn’t attend, nevertheless, the recordings and presentation supplies present entry to conversations which are not often accessible exterior nationwide workforce environments.
Whether or not you’re a coach trying to find new concepts, an athlete pursuing the subsequent step in your profession, or a guardian looking for a greater understanding of the event course of, the Roundtable gives beneficial perception from coaches and athletes who’re actively shaping the way forward for American ski racing.
Hyperlinks to the Roundtable recordings and presentation supplies are beneath.
Hyperlink to Paul Epstein’s Rocky Mountain Division Roundtable Presentation (PowerPoint)
Hyperlink to Stifel U.S. Ski Workforce Males’s World Cup Slalom Coach Tristan Glasse-Davies’ Presentation (PowerPoint)
Hyperlink to Roundtable Video Passcode: %D2percentqQ$g
Athlete Roundtable Dialogue Begins at 2:29:24
