Ski season is coming fast and as a final preparation for the season, 5 of my teammates and I went to Austria for 10 days with 2 of our coaches. We went to the Stubai glacier and stayed about 30 minutes from the glacier in Patsch. After 2 previous summer camps, one in Mammoth and one in La Parva, Chile, we really focused on race training and just going fast instead of worrying so much about technique. The 2 earlier camps really honed in our technique and now we just were worrying about how to go faster with line and aggression.
We started with 1 days of free skiing followed by 3 days of GS, each on a different part of the glacier providing different terrain everyday. After that we had a day off, which was really fun. We went to a go-kart place in downtown Innsbruck that was fast and the perfect thing for a group of competitive kids who love racing. We then went to a crystal museum about 20 minutes from Innsbruck. We capped off the day by going to an awesome dinner in Innsbruck and then went to bed early to rest up for our next training block. Following the day off we had 2 days of slalom, again both on different parts of the glacier.
The second day we were scheduled to train on Manfred Pranger's course after he was done but the snow was too soft so he didn't train. We were all really disappointed because there is really no better way to figure out a good line than skiing the same one as one of the best slalom skiers in the world. We still had a great day of training however on a steeper more challenging hill which really pushed us to get in race mode.
The next day, we traveled to Solden to see the first men’s World Cup race of the season. I had been to one other World Cup race in Beaver Creek but never before in Europe. It was a whole new experience that I will never forget. The skiing was awesome, the weather was great, the people and atmosphere were crazy, and TED WON!!! Ted skied really well and hopefully it is going to be another great season for him. It was an unforgettable day that was also a great learning experience to see the best skiing in the world up close and personal.
Finally, on our last day we trained slalom on yet another part of the glacier. The snow was hard and fast, making it a great final day where all of us were skiing fast! It was a great way to end an unforgettable camp! I start KMS (Killington Mountain School), in about a week and a half and it couldn't come sooner. I can't wait to get up there and really get focused on the season. My first races will be at the beginning of December when me and 3 other kids from KMS are going back to Europe to do a tour around Austria, Italy, and Germany doing around 9 starts. It will be my first experience racing in Europe and I can't wait. It is also a great opportunity to score some great races and come back with my points lowered.
Good luck to all the SRD racers this season, I hope you guys are as excited as I am for the new season!!
.)) Kyle Burcin
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