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SKI-SLEEP-REPEAT
NORTH WALES SKI CLUB ON TOUR AT THE WELSH CHAMPIONSHIPS
ALARM CALLS
It’s certainly not a holiday, at least not a relaxing one! Everyone was up early prepping skis and doing their morning stretches. Those on training days met their coaches by 8.45am and were put through their paces with challenging skills, drills and gate training. Focus, determination and enthusiasm are a few words that spring to mind.
It wasn’t just the racers working hard. Those opting for a free skiing day took to the slopes early, putting their all terrain skills to the test. For some skiing the ‘triple black diamond slopes’ were becoming too familiar, so they took to the mogul field of the ‘Swiss Wall’ or tried their luck in the freestyle snow park. Talent was certainly in abundance – we have some ‘big mountain’ and ‘slope style’ skiers in the making.
Others (mainly those in the adult category) enjoyed a more leisurely approach, cruising down scenic pistes, soaking up the sun’s rays and stopping for the odd vin chaud, plus a bit of cheering and general admiration of their talented offspring.
With the van loaded - 29 pairs of skis in total, Les Crosets, Switzerland’s gateway to the Portes du Soleil ski region was the destination for the Welsh Alpine Ski Championships.
Competitions comprised of slalom and giant slalom races with categories from U10 up to Masters and the trip was split into two weeks. Week 1 saw athletes training with North Wales Ski Club coaches Matt Ingle and Roger Urges as a very successful trial run on the club delivering its own alpine training camp. Week 2 was more of a family orientated affair with not only the arrival of more competitive skiers but also mums, dads and free skiing siblings.
SKI IN - SKI OUT
You could not get a better located lodgings – Chalet du Lac right on the piste was the base for the NWSC training camp. A lovely 20 berth chalet with ample space for all the skis and a fab open plan kitchen that the amazing Jayne soon put to good use (with her little helper) providing round the clock yummy, nutritious food. We were super lucky; the snow dance worked. On arrival it was a lush green meadow but the heavens opened and snow came and kept on coming.
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