U.S. men's tech squad training and racing in New Zealand; Koznick in Switzerland

By Published On: August 22nd, 2005Comments Off on U.S. men's tech squad training and racing in New Zealand; Koznick in Switzerland

U.S. men’s tech squad training and racing in New Zealand; Koznick in Switzerland{mosimage}Eleven members of the gate-racing portion of the U.S. men’s alpine team are in New Zealand now, training mostly at Coronet Peak. The men’s speed team will train next month in South America. The team’s two stars, Daron Rahlves and Bode Miller, are participating in both camps.

‘Things are going quite well’ reports Mike Morin, the head coach of the tech squad. ‘They have received about 60 centimeters of new snow and had a lot of good snow making nights since we arrived.’

The coaches of the group spent evenings of the first week of the camp injecting the training hills with water, trying to create a simulated World Cup environment. ‘Coronet Peak has been very cooperative in allowing to inject and groom as we see it is needed’ said Morin.

The Americans competed in some FIS races, with Erik Schlopy finishing second behind local Michael Ross. Miller and Ted Ligety straddled a gate, according to a story at a local news site.

Koznick stays in the northern hemisphere
Kristina Koznick is embarking on another season racing independently of the U.S. Ski Team, and has opted to train in Saas Fee, Switzerland rather than joining her former teammates in the southern hemisphere. (Click here for news from the women’s camp.)

Koznick has been forced to deal with some stormy weather that has socked in the car-free Swiss resort — on a glacier not far from the Matterhorn. Accompanying Team Koz is long-time USST coach Roger Bay, who joined the staff this summer.

Koznick will keep a web journal at Skiracing.com this season.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh