SNOWBIRD, UT (April 29) – U.S. Ski Team men’s alpine athletes and coaches spent the past week learning the latest teaching techniques from the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) at Snowbird Resort. In addition to earning level three PSIA National Ski Instructor certification, the group will apply the latest knowledge of skiing fundamentals to foster faster skiing at all levels of the U.S. Ski Team development pipeline. U.S. Ski Team fundamental skills development coach Michael Rogan and men’s alpine Head Coach Sasha Rearick spearheaded the weeklong camp, which included all men’s assistant coaches and four Olympian athletes.
HIGHLIGHTS
- U.S. Ski Team men’s alpine athletes and coaches spent the past week at Snowbird Resort earning their level three teaching certification from the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA).
- Spearheaded by U.S. Ski Team fundamental skills development coach Michael Rogan, U.S. Ski Team men’s alpine Head Coach Sasha Rearick and USSA Sport Education Manager Ron Kipp, the camp broadened the U.S. Ski Team knowledge of skiing fundamentals and its application to faster and safer skiing.
- The weeklong camp involved all men’s alpine assistant coaches and 11 athletes, including Olympians Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA), Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT), David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) and Jared Goldberg (Holladay, UT).
- The educational experience also enhanced the U.S. Ski Team’s ability to provide leadership to the national development pipeline by reinforcing coaches understanding in the value of teaching fundamentals.
- A total of 22 coaches and athletes representing every level of the men’s alpine team received their Level III PISA teaching certification.
- In addition to Rogan, coaches and athletes also worked with PSIA National Team members Dave Lyon, Eric Lipton, Robin Barnes and National Team coach Rob Sogard in both on snow and classroom style teaching.
- The camp also allowed coaches and athletes to gain a better understanding of variable teaching methods, which will ultimately enhance the staff’s ability to adapt to individual athletes’ learning styles.
- Snowbird Resort provided the perfect terrain and conditions for PSIA to deliver the application of teaching techniques to a wide variety of snow conditions.
QOUTES
Sasha Rearick, Head Coach – men’s alpine
The week we spent with PSIA brought our athletes and staff full circle through the process of teaching skiing from the true foundation up. From that, we’ve gained an invaluable perspective on how to be faster in every condition, every gate set, basically every variable that you can possibly be presented with on snow.
Steven Nyman, Three-time Olympian
I enjoyed the simplicity in learning about skiing all over again, specifically as it relates to how athletes can learn from each other. We had 18-year-olds going through the same process with guys like Marco Sullivan and me. That helped create a common form of communication across every level, which will for sure help us learn from each other. I can’t wait to try some of these techniques out next season to see how they translate into racing.
Jon Nolting, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Sport Education Director
It was rewarding to see the curiosity and engagement of this group. They demonstrated that it doesn't matter if you've coached an Olympic champion or won a World Cup, there is always much to learn about skiing faster and teaching it effectively. Our relationship with these PSIA professionals is very exciting and critical to help us achieve our goals toward improving the quality of ski coaching in the United States.
Michael Rogan, U.S. Ski Team fundamental skills development coach
No one was 100% sure what to expect at the start of the week, but by the end there was a greater understanding of skiing and teaching by everyone involved. From a PSIA standpoint, it was a tremendous confirmation of our strength. We are great educators of skiing and it is an honor to be a part of anything working with the U.S. Ski Team, specifically something that results in 22 new Level III certified PSIA instructors.
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