Jan 25th - That's Brisk Baby!!!

We LOVE Winter!!

Happy to report that none of us were Frozen after this weekend's colder temperatures:)  I think we all learned how our glide changes when the snow is colder.

Bronwen and I were really happy with the efforts we saw on the Sochi Extension on Saturday.  When you are faced with slower snow next time be sure to remember to:

1. Soften your knees and ankles
2. Land on a flexed/bent leg so you can then extend your leg with each step
3. Keep your feet moving so you keep your skis keep gliding!

In Skate when you remember to have your poles land at the same time as your foot. We will do a video on this for you to practice this week.

Sarah and I saw most of you on Sunday, though we know that there were a few families we didn't end up seeing.  Hopefully, you all challenged yourself to a long Classic Ski in what were some good conditions.

Wednesday - Strength Training on Zoom

Please join as close to 5:15PM as we will look to chat about last weekend's skiing, as well as this weekend's skiing before we get started at 5:30PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5602405075 or use meeting ID: 560 240 5075

As always, parents are welcomed and encouraged to join in as all of these exercises will help your skiing too!

Please review the NEW exercises from last week HERE beforehand.  You will need a CHAIR or a STEP for the workout.

Saturday - SKATE

Please do the following drills (10-15min) before you start your ski on the Teaching Flats:

1. No Poles Offest (but with arms as if they have poles)
2. Add-in Lead/High Pole (remember Hands UP!)
3. Add-in Trailing Pole (both poles plant at the same time)
4. Practice on your weak side offset
5. Practice offset switch
6. No Poles One Skate - Down-Across-Up and then Heel Clicks
7. Add-in Poles with Long Glides

We will be returning to Kim's Loop this Saturday between 10AM to 11AM.  Try to ski Three (3) Loops doing the following:

• Loop 1 - Ski the Corners FAST.  Ski the Hills steady and smooth, but ski over the tops of the hills FAST
• Loop 2 - Ski the Hills, as well as over the tops, FAST, then recover the on the downhills and ski the Flats steady and smooth
• Loop 3 - Ski the Flats, Downhills, and Corner FAST, ski the Hills steady and smooth

Sunday - CLASSIC

Start on the Sochi Extension.  Start with the short 1km loop (take the 1st cut-off) closest to the parking lot without poles. Work on your weight transfer staying on just one ski or the other when striding.  Once you get your poles to start your first full loop, spend some time Double Poling working on your rhythm and timing.

Similar to last weekend, we would like you to:

• On your First Loop - Ski the Forest Section at RACE PACE.  For the more experienced skiers, I'd like you to try Two (2) loops of the Forest Section back-to-back.
• On your Second Loop - Try to hold your Double Poling as long as possible in the Fields, take the Forest Section EASY, and then Sprint the last hill leading to the trail that returns you to the main trails.
• If you ski a Third Loop - Just try to stay smooth and don't get caught in the Sour Patch

Other Resources

Local Weather - https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-13_metric_e.html

Regional Radar - https://weather.gc.ca/radar/index_e.html?id=wkr

Winter Road Conditions - https://511on.ca/roadconditions

Hardwood Ski and Bike Trail Conditions - https://www.hardwoodskiandbike.ca/home-page-winter/trails/trail-conditions/

Hardwood Ski and Bike Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hardwoodskibike/

Team Hardwood Provincial and National Program Blog - http://teamhardwood1819.blogspot.com/?m=1