ESC Nordic Newsletter

ESC Nordic Newsletter

Vol 5, No. 1

Highlights from the Key Committee meeting on January 22nd 2002, and the latest on plans for 2002.

General

1. 2002 Budget

The Nordic proportion of the ESC budget is expected to be as last year’s. The main expenditure in 2002 will be the On-Snow Coaches and Skills event at Kvitavatn in April, toward which the ESC Coaching Fund has generously contributed £1800. There should be approximately £2500 remaining to finance other activities, principally coaching, development and committee expenses. Thus ESC Nordic’s finances are in good order and we have been able to purchase a digital camcorder for ESC Nordic use in the years ahead.

2. In the absence of an alternative, Ralph White has agreed to continue as Chair of the Key Committee; the trade off being the Committee’s willingness to accept delegation of some of the Chair’s work and to continue the search for a suitable successor.

Development

1. The key proposal here is an expansion of the off-snow programme around a series of four weekend roller ski training courses, aimed at improving skills among skiers of all ages and at all levels. One of the goals is also to encourage and develop potential ski racers – at all levels of ability – and to help prepare them for suitable ESC recognised on-snow events in the 2002/03 season. Skiers who want to concentrate on their skills rather than race are just as welcome. Both Clubs and individuals will be approached to encourage participation in some or all of these events.

All courses will be run by qualified ESC coaches. Each event will be two-day weekends: skills/technique work during Saturdays, followed by evening activities such as talks, films, equipment displays etc; among other activities on Sundays will be roller ski race/ races which are not obligatory, nor mega-serious, but will be an opportunity to apply newly-honed technique.

Skiers will be encouraged to attend as many of the series as possible so that the emphasis is on continuous development and (again for those who wish) preparation for on-snow races. The cost for each course should be around £80 pp, inclusive.

These four courses will be spread throughout the country and, together with the Kvitavatn and Silksworth events comprise the 2002 programme

3. Coaching

The main event here is the April On-Snow Workshop at Kvitavatn, Norway, where our existing ESC Nordic Coaches will be subject to revalidation, and joined by three aspirant ESC Coaches (Tim East, Michael James and Andy Stewart) for training and assessment. This is followed by the On-Snow Week for the training, assessment and revalidation of Club Coaches and Instructors, together with cross-country skills training for other participants. The coaching awards will be based on the new syllabuses for ESC Coach and Club Coach levels, where the distinction is now made between Cross-country and Downhill categories. If the On-Snow Workshop and Week work out as planned, they will complete a major strengthening of the Coaching Scheme as a whole – a process that has been in train for the last two years.

NORDIC COURSES AND EVENTS 2002

April 6th-13th - On-snow Club Coach/Instructor Contact: Helen Bell

and cross country skills course, 01274 875680

Kvitavatn, Norway helen <at> hebell.fsnet.co.uk

Mid-May Roller ski skills training/fun race?Contact: Tim East

Weekend Eelmore, Hampshire???01483 455108

Tim <at> TimCEast.freeserve.co.uk

Early July Roller ski skills training&fun race?Contact: Tim East as above

weekend Hayes, Middlesex

August 31st Roller ski skills training&fun race?Contact: Adam Pinney

September 1st Hetton Lyons, Durham??01582 602995

aapinney <at> tinyworld.co.uk