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APUNSC Eagle Glacier Camp, technique training, August 07
Published: Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:00 AM MDT Updated: Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:50 AM MDT APU skiers just finished their third week-long camp on Eagle Glacier with sunny skies and excellent skiing conditions. Similar to the two previous camps the main focus was to ski a lot (volume) and to keep improving on-snow technique.  Jeff Ellis Athletes trained between 20 and 27 hours during the week, so the volume goal was definitely achieved. The week included distance, where the skiers covered many kilometers per hour, with some skiing around threshold, and two level five anaerobic capacity session. The week was challenging and best of all, productive. Technique is obviously very important in cross country skiing and it seems like every coach or program in the country has their own opinion of what is “ideal.” For our program Eagle Glacier is a perfect learning environment for learning how to ski fast and efficiently in varying conditions such as soft skating and soft klister classic ski conditions. The APU athletes typically train in Anchorage, where the tracks are usually hard and fast. It is a nice balance to ski on the glacier in more technically challenging conditions. The tracks are similar to those often found in Europe and on the World Cup. We believe it is important for our skiers to experience these conditions here at home to prepare for success overseas. Some of the main technical elements we are working on: Adjusting technique to conditions and terrain by changing the center of mass (hip and body position) and cadence. Utilizing the stretch release mechanism of muscles and tendons to create power effectively. Teaching the difference between stepping and gliding in classic striding. Creating power by limbs moving quickly and freely in opposite directions. Skiing a lot.  Can this really be Eagle Glacier in August?! With one more on-snow camp under our belt we are confident our skiers have a good start to fall training. Since the month of May some of our athletes have had as many as 125 quality on-snow hours. In the spring we took advantage of early morning Alaskan crust-cruising and during the summer we spent a week each in June, July, and August on Eagle glacier. Our snow skiing has allowed us to stay in touch with the feeling of snow – something that simply cannot be accomplished on roller skis. We have knowledgeable coaches and a group of dedicated athletes that are training hard and training a lot. The team atmosphere is pushing skiers to challenge themselves while maintaining their focus the entire time. We are looking forward to the winter ahead! August Glacier Camp Roster: Women: Kikkan Randall Taz Mannix Laura Valaas Katie Ronsee Kassi Rice Ky Eiben Becca Rorabaugh Kate (Pearson) Arduser Kate Fitzgerald Kalysta Schmidt Kristina Strandberg Men: Lars Flora James Southam Jeff Ellis Bart Dengel Tyson Flaharty Anders Haugen Mike Mattson Peter Kling Galen Johnson Coaches: Erik Flora Frode Lillefjell Casey Fagerquist Dylan Watts  Happy athletes on dirty snow  Taz Mannix & Kikkan Randall  Coaches Erik Flora, Dylan Watts, & Casey Fagerquist  
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