Well we're getting snow now.!  Glad we have all our training in.  Looks like close to a meter by mid afternoon, so this morning we're going out to shred then come in for a late breakfast and finish getting packed up before we end to Santiago. 
Great camp, one of the best since I've been coming doing here.  The staff is in agreement, we got all that we wanted to get done.  The guys should be very satisfied with their improvements. 

See you soon. 

jb

Today’s GS session on Nevada Baja was quite different than the previous sessions.  We were greeted with several centimeters of new snow, flat light and some light snow falling.  Not to mention a challenging little gully of about 26 turns which has a slight side hill on the right foot and is always pulling you on the left. 

The boys did a very good job right from the very first run.  The flat light and snow did cause some challenges, as they were not quite as aggressive as we have seen in prior GS courses but a productive day none the less.  Our sunny, bluebird days may be over for this camp so I am sure they will have a few more days to get comfortable with these conditions.    

jb

Another great slalom session yesterday on Astudio Piuquenes.  The guys had a lot of runs on a nice hill with breakover, about 25 -27 gates.  The snow wasn't as good as the day before but overall, still a productive session.  Snow is in the forecast.  Their having a year like the east did down here, so we'll believe it when we see it.  So for now we are going with GS and SL today and GS tomorrow and then take our chances on Thursday and Friday.  

jb

Slalom, Aug. 12. El Descenso

JB

I have good internet this morning so I might as well keep going.  We're heading up a little before 8 am to the upper mountain and Astdio Piuquenes trail to work more slalom fundamentals.  The hill is in great shape and it's been colder the last couple nights so training should be excellent.  Tom, Pavel and myself are all fired up.  Slalom does that to you. 

Snow is on the way.  We don't know exactly how much?, do you ever know?  So we are going to go for 4 days in this block as well.  Some guys will stay with slalom again tomorrow, while 6 will run GS. 

Here are some pictures from yesterdays slalom session. 

jb

We have now moved on to a couple days of slalom, working on basic slalom skills in rhythm courses and brushes.  The guys are trying to bring their free skiing improvements into the short turn.  But first, here are a few more pictures from our super three days of SG training. 

jb

Our speed block is complete here in LaParva.  We had excellent, excellent training and conditions.  Hard snow, mostly clear skies, one air and 90 seconds in length.  Juniors don't usually got training like this.  A big Thanks to the staff here at LaParva and our staff for making it happen. 

I am sure the athletes got a lot out of it.  Going fast with the wind their face, getting off the ground, being able to link long smooth turns are skills we consistently need to develop that we seldom get the opportunity to do so at home. 

Saturday is a day off for us.  Sleep in and relax, before we go back at slalom on Sunday and Monday.  We might have to take another day during the last week in between our last day of slalom and some more GS work. 

jb

You could not have asked for better training down here at LaParva.  Yesterday was a bluebird day that warmed up nicely in the afternoon, however the snow surface stayed mid winter conditions.  It was our first day of SG training on the downhill course, El Descenso.  The guys really skied well and learn a lot from their seven runs throughout the morning.  The highlight being of course, a nice jump they built us at the top about 4 turns in that sends the guys about 20 meters over the first pitch.  The flight time will increase a bit today as the track gets faster and we bring them in with a little more heat.

Everyone really enjoyed themselves and I cannot tell you how important this is for their development.  This is why we make the long trip here, the quality of training is just amazing.  Day 2 of SG today, I am sure it will be a good show.

jb     

Were online this morning.  It's very tough going down here this year with the internet service.  But while it's up here's the update. 

Not much snow, much like the winter we had in VT, but where there is, it's hard and the training is quite good.  We are just about through with our first block, where we worked on basic skiing and really focused on body position and being able to feel the center of the body.  The boys received some good volume and many runs of free skiing to enhance what they are feeling in the drill work. 

Today they get a little gate work and then some free skiing on SG skis.  We are in the process of getting the speed track ready for our SG sessions; wed-fri. of next week.  Then we will work back to some tech. 

If i can get some pictures up in the next couple days, I will, but i am not promising anything. 

Best
jb