Editor’s Note: This is an updated version of a press release run several days ago. More information on the program is included.
NENSA is excited to announce a collaboration with a new summer program at Stratton Mountain School
While SMS is continuing to offer a summer training program for their students, this year they are also opening the program to a limited number of additional athletes. This is an ideal opportunity for college skiers without access to a summer training group and coaching.
Andy Newell will be around in June and August and SMS skiers will be there all summer. SMS’s goal is to have a dedicated group of high school and college age skiers training together for the summer with additional elite skiers joining them for weekends and mini camps. They are also offering a summer development program for local skiers age 10-17. Once a week the elite skiers will be expected to spend 10-15 minutes working with the younger skiers before the workout. This interaction should benefit all ages.
Goals for the summer are to build an excellent aerobic base and work on technique and specific strength. Typically each week will include at least 1 skate, 1 classic and 1 ski walking/bounding workout. SMS is ideally situated for summer training with easy access to great roller skiing and miles of trails. The fully equipped SMS gym and weight room will be available to Elite athletes for strength training, lactate testing etc. Skiers should finish the summer prepared for great fall training.
The groups will be led by Stratton Mountain School coaches Sverre Caldwell, Poppet Boswell and Matt Boobar. They also hope to have guest college coaches helping out on some of the weekends. NENSA staff will help with coordination as needed appropriate.
NENSA recognizes the importance of having a training network in place for New England’s Elite athletes and is generally interested in helping these programs succeed. NENSA’s relationship with designated senior programs such as SMS is to provide peripheral support. This may include initial guidance with program set up, collaborating with fundraising efforts and helping to organize joint training camps. NENSA does not directly run or fund them; the programs are fully self-supported and locally run. Other current examples of this type of collaboration include Craftsbury’s Green Team.
This program will offer Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday supervised training as well as mini camps every other weekend and a 3 day mid summer camp at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. There will be free housing for up to 3-4 athletes which will be given to Elite team skiers who make a full commitment to the program.
The mini camps will be scheduled to help encourage an influx of athletes every two weeks. By getting a bunch of dedicated skiers together, everyone benefits. This allows those in school or with jobs, the ability to plug in and have the exposure to others who are training well. SMS staff will try to set up home stays with local athletes for the elite weekend athletes in the program.
Please see SMS Summer Program flyer for program details and information on how to apply.
