U.S. disabled alpiners Victor, Stephens get back on the snow at A-Basin camp

The U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team kicked off the 2008-09 season with a fundamentals and free-skiing camp at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area May 4, with 2007 World Cup champ Stephani Victor and Laurie Stephens making a return after injuries last season.
The U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team kicked off the 2008-09 season with a fundamentals and free-skiing camp at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area May 4, with 2007 World Cup champ Stephani Victor and Laurie Stephens making a return after injuries last season.
    The athletes returned to snow rested and excited to begin training. The veteran athletes, including team captain Monte Meier, Carl Burnett, Brad Washburn, Gerald Hayden and George Sansonetis welcomed the rookies to the team.
    The rookies attending their first camp were John Knudsen (sit-ski), Erik Bayindirli (sit-ski), Ralph Green (standing), and John Whitney (standing). Development Team members in attendance were Elitsa Storey and Ian Jansing.
    "It has been great to watch the veterans mentoring and helping the new athletes on and off the hill,” Disabled Team Coach Ian Garner said.
    The week started off with beautiful bluebird skies and amazing snow conditions for the beginning of May. Athletes worked back into skiing by focusing on basic fundamentals.
    According to disabled alpine head coach Ray Watkins, this strong base will be the foundation for the rest of the prep period and carry directly into the competition season.
    "Success at the highest level boils down to strong fundamentals. Athletes who possess the strongest foundation will be most successful at the end of the season,” Watkins said.
    After three days on the hill, the athletes and staff headed to Coors Field in Denver to watch the Rockies defeat the Cardinals 9-3. The baseball game provided a relaxing day off and an opportunity for the team to spend quality time together.
    Following the day off, the team returned to the hill for another gorgeous day followed by a powder day with eight inches of fresh snow that continued to fall through out the great day of skiing.
    "The veterans and rookies are skiing well and the weather has really cooperated with us,” said coach Jessica Tidswell. "It has been nice having Stephani Victor and Laurie Stephens back with the team after being on medical leave.”
    "I am really fired up about the energy from the team and staff, the team feels like a cohesive unit," Victor said. "I appreciated being welcomed back and I have jumped right back in where I left off. I have enjoyed skiing with the new athletes [too]. They are bringing a lot to the table.”
    The camp was a great success but didn't end on the hill. The team packed up and will head to Colorado Springs for a four-day testing and conditioning camp at the Olympic Training Center later in May.
    The testing camp will give the team staff the opportunity to objectify the athletes' strength and conditioning levels and will serve as a baseline for the rookies. The data will help identify strengths and weaknesses to be addressed during the preparation period.