Flower Power: NDS camp offers a head start

I got back from Mount Hood a few weeks ago. It was a 10-day National Development System camp that focused on fundamentals and tactics. It was a perfect environment — Seth McAdam, a women's U.S. Ski Team coach, was my coach, and I was skiing with some really fast boys and girls. I learned so much about line, and now know where I can shave some time off.

I GOT BACK from Mount Hood a few weeks ago. It was a 10-day National Development System camp that focused on fundamentals and tactics. It was a perfect environment — Seth McAdam, a women's U.S. Ski Team coach, was my coach, and I was skiing with some really fast boys and girls. I learned so much about line, and now know where I can shave some time off.
    For the first couple days, the focus was on the skating part of the start. I learned that the start is a key component, and learned that you can get up to five-tenths ahead of your competitors if you have a good start. Following that, we started working into the “blue-line” drill. This exercise was useful for me, because I learned that I could spend a lot more time in the fall line … which is faster. After getting this concept, the coaches added some terrain. That made it pretty hard, because not only did you have to stay on the fast line, but also you had to maintain what you were working on while dealing with the rollers.
    I was able to ski on my next year’s Atomic skis the entire time I was there. This made it really nice because I was able to test the stiffness that felt the best, early, so that in the fall, I will be able to just focus on my skiing. Plus, I didn’t have to travel wax my skis.
    I’ve started my summer classes and dryland. Going to school in summer is definitely tough, but I know that it will pay off next winter when I’m trying to focus on skiing. It’s weird though — I’ve never actually just done school before without any other activity. I can’t procrastinate doing my homework for a week because I’m gone for skiing. I actually have to turn things in when they’re due.
    I am already getting excited for next season. I looked online and I saw that I have my FIS membership — I am officially a J2! Wow! Seems like yesterday when I was racing down at Brian Head at the YSL champs. All you Intermountain people know what I’m talking about.
    Got a question for junior racer Rose Caston? E-mail info@skiracing.com with the subject line ROSE and she may answer it in a future edition of Flower Power.