Ruapehu ski training ground

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 302, 1 September 1989, Page 11

Ruapehu ski training ground

A number of National Ski Team members are currently training at Mt Ruapehu's Whakapapa Skifield. Three women's A Team members, Lisa Powell, Analesa Coberger and Adela Coberger have been joined by three members of the mens B Team, Ben Tidswell, Brendon Boon and Brendon Casey. In addition, development squad members Merron Clark, Stuart Hardie and Dean Lister are also training with the Whakapapa Ski School. Racing coach Louis Blanchard is thrilled to have such talent in his squad as these top flight skiers have a lot to offer the younger racers as well as the "Right Stuff" to encourage very high levels of commitment from each other, says RAL. An excellent spell of

weather at the beginning of the season has seen all racers achieve significant development in all aspects of their training. Recent bad weather has seen the squad on dry land training including weight training balancing exercises and mental preparations. Louis has a programme of exercises to develop quickness and skill on the slopes. Good or bad weather, the racers train for six hours a day. It is Louis' second season at Whakapapa and his contribution to the Race Department has, been appreciated by all. Louis comes from Quebec, Ontario; he is a level four ski instructor, a level three coach and an examiner for the Alliance. But Louis' real contribution is his enthusiasm and empathy with the young racers. He still races on the pro circuit in Canada and the States so he can

relate to all the feelings of his charges. By his own admission, his goals are not only to improve the technical skills of the racers but to ensure they enjoy their skiing and maintain that "passion" for skiing that will keep them en-

thused for years to come. The Kiwi Lager National Ski Championships will be held at Whakapapa on 11-15 September, so it will be interesting to see if Louis' team improve their standings in the National points.