Alpine Director Update - June 2023
Published Fri 16 Jun 2023
Dear Alpine Community,
Alongside the start of another Australian ski season, we are very happy to announce the National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) for the 2023/24 season. There are 19 athletes selected to the NAST comprising of 16 Alpine athletes and 3 Ski Cross athletes. The National Alpine Committee is very pleased to announce the selection of 3 new athletes to the team, Abbey Evans, Samantha Gaul and Connor Leggett. It is also of importance to recognize the retirement of NAST athlete and Olympian Kathryn Parker who finished up her race career at the University of Utah and was kind enough to sit down and share some reflections on her career.
The opening long weekend might have been a slow start to skiing across the resorts however it was still an exciting time to come together and start to prepare for the season ahead. As it has been stated before, alpine ski racing is about skill, dedication, and resilience and this was on display over the long weekend. The fact that we didn’t have lifts spinning, or much snow on the ground, didn’t deter many clubs, families, and athletes from taking advantage of other opportunities to prepare and set themselves up for success for the season to come. An athlete’s journey is all about seizing opportunities when they arise, and it was great to see so many taking part over the long weekend.
Mt Buller Race Club welcomed returning and new members over the weekend with a meet and greet with head coaches, uniform pick up, and BBQ on Saturday followed by a dryland camp on Sunday attended by over 40 athletes across all age groups. Thredbo Ski Racing Club enjoyed their long weekend with a Saturday morning uniform pick up at the club followed by an afternoon of jumping at the NSTC Air Bag facility getting athletes back on their skis focusing on fundamentals and FUN. Sunday was filled with physical assessments at the Thredbo Leisure Centre. Team Hotham Winter Sports Club got together to run a weekend of physical assessments, movement screenings and presentations from strength and conditioning and physiotherapy professionals including an appearance by National Alpine Ski Team member and Olympian Louis Muhlen-Schulte. They also had enjoyed a camp at the NSTC Air Bag facility the previous weekend with athletes representing Alpine/SX, Freeride and Snowboard.
Another great opportunity to take advantage of in preparation of the coming season is Snow Australia’s SnowReady online physical preparation program presented by 3x Olympian Sami Kennedy Sim. Whether you are young or old, by yourself, or with a group of friends or family this is a great way to get in shape for the ski season to come.
Don’t forget to update your membership before you hit the snow this season, from interschools, Snow Australia Children’s racers, and right through to international FIS racers, membership can be purchased online HERE.
All the best,
Shawn Fleming
Alpine Director
Snow Australia
This edition includes:
- 2023/24 National Ski Team Announced
- Beijing Olympian Katie Parker Retires From Alpine Skiing
- Para Wintersport Update
- Para Futures
- 2023 Membership Now Open
- Coaching Courses Available On The Snow Academy
Image - OWIA / Chris Hocking
