A chip off the old block!

**Bigdump** · 02-10-2008, 10:28 PM

My daughter medaled in only her 2nd race yesterday at Brighton. Just thought I'd crow a little. Thats her in the Red. She is on the Snowbasin Alpine Team.

**mnflyfish** · 02-11-2008, 09:30 AM

GREAT Kids Stoke!

My daughter started the year off strong but has been more interested in messin around the last couple weeks than in race practice. We'll see how the rest of the season goes from here. I'll have to show her this in hopes it get's the competitive fires burning again.

Jay

YourSupremeExcellency · 02-11-2008, 09:40 AM

I'm curious, how do these kids train? I mean they have school from 9 to 3 right? Most resorts are open only from 9 to 4. So what do kids do just train on the weekends and holidays or have to relocate to mountains that have night skiing which most don't?

**Tuckerman** · 02-11-2008, 10:00 AM

First congrats thats awesome. What year looks maybe J5 or J4?

My kid is getting super fusterated as a first year J5. As a 3ed year J6 she brought home hardware every weekend. Now she is racing against other children that are 3 years older and finding it difficult. This last weekend, Saturday all her coaches were telling that she is skiing the best she has ever skied so Sunday a race day she was expecting to finish in the top 5 she comes out of the finish corral and heads straight for the score board to check her time. By the time I get over to her she is crying because she is 3 to 4 seconds off the leaders. I was bummed for her, we went free skiing and she seemed better until we got back to the club house where all the children were talking about their times and sort of being mean to each other about times.

Anyway I hope she dose not get discouraged and want to stop like so many other children do. She finished in the middle of the pack and has qualified for a regional event at the end of the season which she can't compete in because NHARA (NH Alpine Racing Association) says she too young.

**Tuckerman** · 02-11-2008, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by YourSupremeExcellency

I'm curious, how do these kids train? I mean they have school from 9 to 3 right? Most resorts are open only from 9 to 4. So what do kids do just train on the weekends and holidays or have to relocate to mountains that have night skiing which most don't?

My kid trains every weekend and school vacations. A typical training day (depending on the coach) is gates 1 half of the day and free skiing or fun training the other. The mountain closes the trail in front of our club house and we set gates on it. The mountain is also open at night until 10PM and older J5s and up have training then as well. Race days are on Sunday we either travel to other mountains or we race at our home mountain.

Our child also goes to a private school and they ski all day on Tuesdays.

**Bigdump** · 02-11-2008, 10:38 AM

Yeah J4. She trains on Friday afternoons and on the weekends. Wed. nights on occasion as well under the lights. So far her enthusiasm is great and she just wants to be on the hill all of the time. Her times and podium status don't seem to matter to her yet. Her grades on the other hand have slipped a little but she is working to get them back to the top. She lost a ski the other day while free skiing so she raced on run of the mill rentals this week. I don't care about the results at all. I like that she is getting the best instruction and training available and that she just cant get enough skiing. 99% of these kids wont go on to race in college but they are all really good skiers with great technique and mabey thats enough.

At least shes not a f'ing Ballerina.

**INDY GS** · 02-11-2008, 10:50 AM

Great kid stoke. We had a double header weekend this past weekend, with a race at Timber Ridge Michigan on Saturday and then on Sunday at Swiss Valley, Michigan.

My little ripper is not a stranger to the podium, but the gold had proven to difficult carrot to catch until this weekend. My boy, brought home the hardware. Gold Slalom, Gold GS at Timber, the Gold SL & Gold GS at Swiss.

Pictured here on the podium, 4-1st place, my boy on the far right, Obviously stoked!

**hutash** · 02-11-2008, 11:15 AM

For some kids in mountain towns, it is their PE class. A bus drops them off for PE, and parents pick them up at the end of the day. Makes for a good after school program as well. At least that is how it worked for mu cousin.

My daughter plays club water polo instead of PE; same concept.

**ski3 P O** · 02-11-2008, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Bigdump

I don't care about the results at all. I like that she is getting the best instruction and training available and that she just cant get enough skiing.

That is a good attitude to have. I take it that most of you are from the rockies or maybe even NE, so it is common to have your children do this. I on the other hand do not live in these areas, and am over 2 hours away from the closest mountain, so this type of training is out for my kids. As a childrens coach (non-skiing) it is important for them just to have fun, or they will lose interest quick, and big dump, it sounds like you have this figured out. My son is tall for his age, and he plays hockey at the next level up. He does get discouraged when he doesn't do well, but I keep reminding him that he is playing against 13 year old (he is only 9). Tuckerman, you and the coaches keep reinforcing that she is doing great. Heck, we have all seen Herman and Bodie finish some races a few seconds back! Keep telling her how much better she will be when all the kids her age move up and start competing against her!

**marmot mb** · 02-11-2008, 11:40 AM

Great Kid Stoke ! !

My little one likes to operate on the other end of the podium.

She has had last place overall locked up tight for the past three races.

Now thats consistency !

It's her first year of racing and having started racing at 7 thats alot of catch up to do against kids that have been doing it for 3-4 years already.

It's hearbreaking to watch her go to the time board and then see that she has the highest time of all racers regardless of age. But I help her shrug it off and we go freeski and have a blast.

**INDY GS** · 02-11-2008, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by ski3 P O

I on the other hand do not live in these areas, and am over 2 hours away from the closest mountain, so this type of training is out for my kids.

We live 2 hours and 15 minutes from the nearest ski area. Unfortunately we don't get in as much training as we would like, but my son is at race camp for a week during christmas break, then has weekend practices. I know it is not the most convenient or economicaly sound set-up, but we get it done. I know each program and area is different, but if your local hill has a Junior development team, talk with the coaches and see what can be arranged for your little one. If you are willing to make the sacrifice of driving, I'm sure your kid will enjoy it.

Plus like has been said before, nothing like getting great instruction on a consistant basis, to really develop the young ripper.

**ski3 P O** · 02-11-2008, 11:43 AM

Oh, kid stoke (sorry hockey):

**ski3 P O** · 02-11-2008, 11:44 AM

Man, that turned out BIG! (sorry)

**oftpiste** · 02-11-2008, 12:28 PM

That shift from second year J6 to first year J5 is a big one. My youngest is doing well as a first year J6 at 7 years old. I'm hoping my middle, 9 - who also brought home hardware as a J6 - can survive the fact that he isn't quite so dominant against more experienced J5's. In the end, as has been said, they're getting superior technical instruction as young children. They'll get muscle memory that will last their whole lives.

That's the coolest part.

**Tuckerman** · 02-12-2008, 08:06 AM

For those of you in ski clubs do you have to working a number of races during the year? Do you have a USSA AO license? What jobs do you work? I got my ref certification and was working as a start or finish ref until I discovered Chief of Timing and Calculations. It's a warm job and I only have to fulfill half the work commitments.

**oftpiste** · 02-12-2008, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Tuckerman

For those of you in ski clubs do you have to working a number of races during the year? Do you have a USSA AO license? What jobs do you work? I got my ref certification and was working as a start or finish ref until I discovered Chief of Timing and Calculations. It's a warm job and I only have to fulfill half the work commitments.

In our club each parent makes a volunteer deposit and gets it back at the end of the season if they put in four days of volunteer time at races. Most do it and some don't, much to the chagrin of the club administrators. Some jobs require training, others don't. I tend to stick with the ones where I get to stay in the nice warm(ish) finish shack!

**Tuckerman** · 02-12-2008, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by oftpiste

In our club each parent makes a volunteer deposit and gets it back at the end of the season if they put in four days of volunteer time at races.

Thats a great idea. We have parents who do not fulfill their work commitment and are supposed to be charged $100 for every assignment they miss which not always happens.

**schindlerpiste** · 02-12-2008, 03:32 PM

Nice. My kid raced at Brighton, too. GO SUMMIT SKI TEAM!!!

**weibo** · 02-12-2008, 04:40 PM

Hey marmot mb were you out freezing your ass at ESC this weekend too?

**oftpiste** · 02-12-2008, 08:00 PM

GS training day.....
9 yr old getting around......

7 yr old's gettin' after it.....note the cool bib number.

....and the reward. Mine's the longhair. Nickname's 'Liggety' around the coaches.

**gatorboy** · 02-12-2008, 08:42 PM

Congratulations to all the proud parents. Nothing I have EVER accomplished in all my years of athletic competition comes close to watching my son Jack participate in sports. And he's only 4.
This is from last year as a three year old!

**SkiOrDie** · 02-12-2008, 09:02 PM

It is so COOL to see this Kid Stoke!!! My "kid" is now 19 and skis past me like a rocket, smiling all the way. He's become my "ski consultant" and takes great care of me in my old age - LOL!

Seriously, it is great to see Kid Stoke - WAY TO GO!!!!

Keep those smiles coming!!

B-)

**Tuckerman** · 02-18-2008, 08:35 AM

Pics from Sundays race. My child is on the left.

Strange course

Tuck

**Bigdump** · 02-18-2008, 10:14 AM

Same here. We have to volunteer 32 hours to get back our $200 deposit. We must also provide funraising opportunities to create working capitol for the team during the season - Texas Hold em tourney this coming week. Dry land training begins in September and for those parents with really deep pockets there are summer camps on the glaciers in Wash. State every year. Really a good way to meet other kids and families that share a passion for skiing. My son (3rd Grade) really does not want to race. He prefers free skiing and the Park. Wish they had something like "Junior Patrol" for him. I was in Junior Lifeguards when I was a kid back in SoCal - really helped with the surfing!