CXC Launches Junior Development and Masters Program in Michigan

HAYWARD, WI – Central Cross Country Ski Association is pleased to announce the addition of new programs for Lower Michigan Junior Development and Masters.

This program will be led by Igor Badamshin and Yuriy Gusev. Igor (born 1966) is a former Soviet/Russia cross country ski racer who competed from 1989 to 1997. He won a bronze medal at the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun and earned his best individual finishes of 5th twice at the world championships (1989: 50 km, 1993: 30 km). Igor’s best individual finish at the Winter Olympics was 14th at the 50 km event in 1994.

Igor has a very extensive coaching career working with athletes from US Junior to International Elite while winning at every level; US Junior Olympics, World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Winter Games.

Igor has been coaching at Gunstock Ski Association for the last 5 years and has been CXC High Performance Advisor for last 3 years. Many of his ideas were implemented in the CXC Elite Team training plan by Bryan Fish, CXC Elite Team head coach.

“It is very an important step for CXC to commit to extensive programming for both junior and master skiers in Lower Michigan. There is a lot of enthusiasm and energy in the Lower Michigan Nordic community and CXC is delighted to become a part of it,” commented Yuriy Gusev, CXC Executive & Athletic Director.

Program Goal
To create a clear pathway of junior athlete development that impacts athlete performance while maximizing training and at the same time providing Master skiers unique opportunities for professional elite coaching.

Program Vision
The vision is to identify talented junior cross country ski athletes on a continuing and consistent basis; provide high quality programs that positively impact performance; develop partnerships with each athlete’s coach and club that will lead to increased success for the Great Lakes Junior Olympic Teams; and create enhanced involvement of master skiers while at the same time off setting costs for junior athletes.

Membership
This exclusive Michigan program is limited to 12 junior and 12 Masters skiers in order to provide good coach to athlete ratio and high quality sessions.

Application and Further Details
Please go to: http://www.cxcskiing.org/site_pages/news/newstring4.htm

Source: CXC