Q: Can you tell us about your journey from World Cup tech coach to Head of Athlete Development for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team?
A: My new title is High Performance Sport Coach. I had been WC Tech Head Coach for the last 4 years and assistant coach for 6 years before that. I was looking for a new challenge and less time on the road. I proposed a new role where I thought we needed more focus as an organization, that being a dedicated Return to Snow coach, sport education, and technology development and implementation.
Q: What does your role entail, and how does it impact the development of the U.S. Ski Team athletes?
A: I'm now responsible for the on snow piece of our Return to Performance framework for all sports. I coordinate with our medical team, strength and conditioning coaches, and sport coaches to best return each athlete to snow depending on their goals and injuries.
Q: How did the U.S. Ski Team first integrate the SkyTechSport ski simulator into their training programs?
A: It was first utilized for learning the new downhill course for the Sochi Olympics. We have since utilized it in our strength and conditioning training programs and our return to snow progression.
Q: What are some of the key benefits you’ve seen from athletes training on the simulator?
A: Athletes can get accustomed to boots and basic movements in a controlled environment before getting on snow. This also allows them to train small muscle groups that are skiing specific and hard to replicate in the gym.
Q: How does the simulator compare to on-snow training? Are there any unique advantages it offers?
A: The ability to add skiing specific movements into strength training programs in a controlled environment is very beneficial. The ease of just putting on ski boots and hopping on the simulator is perfect for time constraints. Instead of driving to a mountain and the time required for multiple laps on a lift, the athlete can add it into their program in the gym.
Q: What kind of data or feedback do you track when athletes use the simulator?
A: We track the number of turns, total time, training load, and times for specific courses.
Q: Are there any specific exercises or drills on the ski simulator that have proven especially valuable for elite athletes?
A: Using the simulator for muscle endurance exercises has been very valuable. Skiing for two minutes of GS turns or 60 seconds with weighted vest or med balls.
Q: How do you adapt simulator training for different disciplines—tech vs. speed skiers, for example?
A: We haven’t done much of this yet.
Q: Do you see indoor ski training, like what the simulator provides, becoming a bigger part of elite ski racing preparation?
A: I believe the costs and environmental changes associated with snowsports will cause us to find new and innovative ways to achieve our goals. The ease of having a simulator in our facility allows us to supplement some of our on snow goals with simulated activities.
Q: What advice would you give to young athletes looking to maximize their training both on and off the slopes?
A: Do everything with intention. There is a very small amount of time we are actually able to perform specific tasks in our sports so taking advantage of the time you have is crucial.
Q: How do you think technology like the SkyTechSport simulator will shape the future of ski racing?
A: I think blending ski specific movements with conditioning and supplementing on snow training with sessions on the simulator will accelerate learning and physical adaptations.
