ETP athletes kick season off at world class facility

Ten talented moguls skiers had the opportunity to learn and progress their skills at one of the world’s foremost training facilities earlier this month.

The Snow Australia Emerging Talent Program held a Water Ramp Training Camp in Brisbane from 6-18 June, with athletes attending from Team Buller Riders and the Mogul Ski Academy.

The Camp provided athletes with the opportunity to develop their skills at the Geoff Henke Winter Olympic Training Centre in Brisbane, the first chance most athletes have had to use the southern hemisphere’s first year-round ski-ramp facility.

The ramps at the Centre simulate the kickers and jumps used in aerial and mogul skiing and allow athletes a safe environment to hone their tricks with more repetition.

Snow Australia National Generation 2032 coach Ethan Topalovic said the 13-day camp embraced a cohesive environment where athletes and coaches from different backgrounds could work towards a common goal.

“We had a blast getting some serious water ramp training in before our domestic season kicks off,” said Topalovic. “Bringing together the Victorian and NSW athletes and coaches was really unique.

“It eliminated any preconceptions about a state divide and had us all working together with the same vision at a truly world class facility.”

Perisher’s Eliza Peake relayed how the facility provided the environment for her to take her training to another level.

“It was a great experience, being able to train on such an amazing ramp and the bubbles really help build my confidence with harder tricks,” she said. “The bungee at the facility really helped with understanding the trick to get them ready for the ramp.”

Team Buller Riders coach Paris Speirs praised the effort of the athletes who over nearly two weeks built their skill level by training at an elite level.

“The athletes should be really proud of themselves for the hard work, effort, attitude, and time they put into this camp,” she said. “Hopefully all the gains made can transfer into snow smoothly.

“We are looking forward to see it all come to fruition and coming back here again following the domestic season.”

Ben Bond, Snow Australia Performance Health & Talent Manager, said while the Camp was brought together in a short amount of time, it has set the benchmark for what the ETP Mogul Skiing program can achieve.

“This camp was turned around organised on short notice which makes its success even more satisfying,” he said. Were hopeful of providing bi-annual opportunities for the ETP group at this amazing facility to prepare them prior to both domestic and international seasons.”