Nordic Nation: A Fall 2021 Pre-Season Chat With Matt Whitcomb

Rachel Perkins · November 2, 2021

In this episode, we connect with US Ski Team Head Coach Matt Whitcomb following the US Ski Team and National Training Group camp in Park City. Whitcomb answers a variety of questions to provide insight into the upcoming season leading up to the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

A couple of notes:

Firstly, you’ll notice some crackling in the audio on our end. We’re working out the kinks. Thanks for your patience.

Also, if your interest has been piqued, FasterSkier has an upcoming article providing a deeper look into the pace project that Whitcomb discusses here.

Time Stamps:

(0:35) A look into the National Team camp in Park City; gender balance with coaching staff
(9:45) Tiger Shaw’s departure from U.S. Ski & Snowboard, with Sophie Goldschmidt moving into his role.
(13:30) Whitcomb’s cross country road trip and seeing various junior club programs
(15:30) The generational shift happening on the U.S. Ski Team following several notable retirements, and its implications for leadership and team dynamics
(19:30) Outlook for the men’s program as the crop of athletes successful at the junior level moves into the Olympic season
(25:00) Altitude training camps leading into Beijing: the when, where, and why.
(30:15) Olympic team selection and athlete quotas
(35:00) Season planning: decisions around competing at the Tour de Ski and other World Cup weekends
(40:30) Managing athlete and personal wellbeing and holistic health, in the wake of Simone Biles decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics
(52:00) What to say to Matt Whitcomb of 2010
(54:30) NNF Fundraising Campaign: Drive for 25