National Team athletes reconnect at NSTC Alpine camp

Australia’s alpine ski athletes gathered at the National Snowsports Training Centre (NSTC) in Jindabyne recently for a national camp, bringing together established team members and emerging talent ahead of the 2026-27 season. 

The camp provided athletes with the opportunity to connect with coaches and teammates, and lay the foundation for the season ahead. 

Snow Australia Alpine Director Shawn Fleming said the camp was an important opportunity to bring the group together before athletes head into their respective domestic winter programs.

“We’ve got some of our national team athletes in the house, along with some of our emerging talent athletes,” Fleming said. 

“It’s a chance to get together to do some physical benchmarking for all of them, and also just a good chance to get together, have some dinners together and live here at the NSTC and really get a little bit of bonding going before the start of a new season.”

Among those attending was Olympian Madi Hoffman, who reflected on a challenging but rewarding comeback season returning from injury. 

“Last year was definitely a whirlwind of a season,” Hoffman said. 

“I didn’t end up getting onto the snow until the end of November/December and by Christmas I’d maybe only trained a day or two on a normal course, which was definitely not on the original bingo card.” 

Despite the setbacks, Hoffman embraced the journey and was able to compete at the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games. 

“Going into the Olympics, I really had no expectations. I said to myself if I can get there, that’s going to be my win,” she said. 

“Standing in that start gate felt like no matter what happens today, it’s going to be a good day. That perspective actually worked to my advantage and I feel like I really rose to the occasion considering everything that had happened over the past 18 months.”

Fellow national team athlete Louis Muhlen was also in attendance as he continues his rehabilitation following a knee injury sustained during the season. 

“I blew out my knee during the season, so it’s been full gas rehab ever since,” Muhlen said.

“It took a few months to get through surgeries and get everything on the right track. I finished my last surgery at the end of February and have been working hard since then.”

While progressing through recovery, Muhlen remains focused on the months ahead.  

“It’s getting there, but there is still a long way to go, but the goal at the moment is getting back to impact work in the next month or so, and continuing to build from there.”