Inaugural National J2 Talent Camp Scheduled for Summer 2010

The inaugural National J2 Talent Camp will be conducted this July 31- August 8, 2010 on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton Michigan. The camp will provide a great opportunity for many of the top young cross country skiers in the US to train together, learn from USST staff and top club coaches.

The camp will be the first step along the US development pipeline for promising young skiers. The location of the camp will rotate around the US to other great training venues, with the camp to be run in the same time slot each summer – the first week of August. Selections were made using a best two of three individual results from Junior Nationals. In addition, each division may petition for the addition of up to 1 boy and 1 girl to camp.

The National Cross Country Ski Education Foundation has generously committed $5000 in grant support to help underwrite camp expenses so that the cost to the participants is kept as reasonable as possible.

Dave Knoop, NCCSEF President comments; “ This is exactly the kind of partnership we are trying to support. We recognize the commitment and efforts from the USSA and individual coaches who are all coming to together to provide yet another great development opportunity for young talented skiers. The NCCSEF is working hard to become a key funding organization for creative and long term projects like this camp as well as other National projects such as the Scandinavian Series and World Jr/U23 Champs”

The deadline for applying is May 21, 2010.  The cost of the camp is $435, and does not include airfare.

You can download the registration form and invitation letter here (MS Word Documents):

USSA National J2 Talent Camp Invitation 2010

National J2 Camp Registration Form 2010

For more information, please contact Camp Director Rick Kapala at:

208 720-7981 or via email xcolaf@mindspring.com.

Staff:

Rick Kapala, Head Coach Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation

Rick has been the Head Coach in Sun Valley since 1987. During that time he’s worked with numerous top US skiers and has coached internationally at World Junior/U23 Championships and World Champs and has been coaching at the National level for over 25 years.

Alison Deines, Head Coach Jackson Hole Ski Team

After a successful racing career that included NCAA Championships as a member of the University of Colorado program, Ali’s coaching experience includes Winterpark CO, The Sun Valley SEF and currently at the successful Jackson program. She has served as team leader for the Scandinavian Series and also as staff for World Junior Championships.

Janice Sibilia, Competitive Program Director , New England Nordic Ski Association

Under Janice’s leadership, NENSA has continued to develop as the leading junior ski racing divisional program in the US. Janice, a former national level cycling competitor in her youth brings a strong background in training and fitness to her role as a coach.

Josh Smullin, Nordic Coach, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Josh has now been with the SSWSC for two years and in that time the program has continued to grow into one of the top

Junior cross country ski programs in the US. Another former CU Buff, Josh brings a high level of energy and commitment to skiing

Camp Venue:

The camp will be based from the campus of Michigan Technological University. Located in Houghton, Michigan. MTU was chosen as the inaugural site because of the excellent dryland training opportuntites, state of the art gym and athletic facilities, convenient and affordable dorm lodging and meals and central location.

Training Plan:

The goals of the camp are two fold. Provide camp participants with an excellent week of dryland training with other top US Juniors that serves to help motivate participants in their efforts in sk racing. Addtionally, we will be using the camp to provide participants with up to date information on nutrition and health management, current international ski technique and training planning and execution.

Eligible J2’s are listed below.