We hope that you enjoyed the first edition of our new format newsletter last week and have had a chance to explore the new GDHL website (http://gdhl.org/). The technology we're using gives us some information about e-mails being opened etc., and suggests that at least people are paying attention. We're writing again to let you know about a special, limited time offer from one of our sponsors.

Special Offer for Sun Peaks Training Camp

As part of his sponsorship of the GDHL (see more below), Michel Pratte is providing the opportunity for up to 20 Craigleith Racers and 15 Ski Improvement participants to attend his camp from Saturday, 23 November to Saturday, 30 November 2013 at Sun Peaks in British Columbia. (Note that there is also a Pratte camp the following week, but this applies only to the first camp.) Michel’s special offer to GDHL for the week including coaching and lift tickets but no accommodation, meals or transportation is $990 per person and we have further arranged a 25% group discount at the Delta Hotel for those that book one month in advance using our group code. Given their rates are already low in November, this seems like a good deal, but feel free to book whatever accommodations you prefer.

The race training is based on the OSV run at Sun Peaks, which is the official North American training site of the Austrian national ski team, which will have been training on the run before the camp. The run has a vertical drop of about 1000 feet and has its own chairlift. Training will run from lift opening until mid-afternoon. There will be daily video analysis sessions before dinner. The ski improvement program will run with groups of approximately seven skiers with one coach and will focus mainly on free skiing with some drills and exercises, followed by video review. More information concerning the camp can be found on Michel’s website here.

We need at least 10 participants and the maximum we can bring is 20 racers and 15 Ski Improvement participants. If you would like to attend please complete the form on our website. We will close off registration on September 30th and send an email to all who have completed the form, indicating whether or not there is room. Acceptance is on a first come first served basis up to our maximum allowed numbers. The notice email will include instructions with how to register and pay Michel and the Booking Code for the Delta. If there is space remaining in the camp after that date, interested people can deal directly with Michel, but there is no guarantee that the discount will still be available.

We look forward to having a great group of people to get the season off to a fast start!

Michel Pratte Sponsorship

By way of background, one of our new sponsors for 2014 is Pratte International, owned by Michel Pratte. Michel is a former member and coach of the Canadian national ski team and for over 20 years has been offering off-season and pre-season camps for adult and junior racers, as well as ski improvement, now held in Whistler, Zermatt, Colorado, Sun Peaks and Mt. Tremblant. At the camps, Michel works frequently with Matt Kerr, also a former national team coach and a video guru, and has recently worked with Jacques Reid of the Craigleith coaching staff. The camps are notable for great locations and course-setting, insightful coaching and video analysis and a great off-snow atmosphere. GDHL competitors have been attending Michel's camps for several years and have sought out Michel's sponsorship so that others may be more aware of the opportunities that they offer.

Michel has offered the GDHL 50% discounts on one place at his Zermatt camp beginning in September 2014 and two places at his Sun Peaks camp in November 2014. These places will be auctioned at the Calcutta on Saturday 5 January 2014 and the net proceeds will go to the GDHL.

Self Improvement

One of the links to an article in our inaugural newsletter didn't work. Here is the correct link for the article on start area mental preparation. While I was looking for that (again) I found two other articles along a similar line, both aimed at offseason preparation. One focuses on mental imagery and the other on general preparation for the upcoming season.

Diversions

Many of you are no doubt immersed in offseason dryland training. Here are a couple of less mainstream exercise options, wife carrying and prancercize.

That's all for now. We'll be back soon with more news. Be sure to let us know by email how we're doing, or how you want to contribute.

James Mathers