Dear Alpine Community,
We talk a lot about passion, resilience, and perseverance as some of the most important attributes with respect to an athlete reaching their potential in ski racing, and the beginning of this ski season definitely tests this statement. With above seasonal temperatures in June hampering both natural, and manmade snow making efforts, we have found ourselves looking at bare ski runs. While this may not be ideal, lucky for us, athlete development is not solely about having skis on our feet and there is still lots of opportunity to develop and grow. This couldn’t be more apparent than looking across our clubs and the great activity they continue to deliver. From running physical boot camps, airbag and acro camps at the NSTC, ski tuning clinics, technical and tactical ski theory, hiking and exploring the mountains, mixed with skiing where possible. I think it is a great testament to our clubs, and the community at large, to see everyone being creative, positive and getting involved. The resorts will continue every effort to take advantage of snow making opportunities and any help from mother nature will be welcomed with open arms! Clubs will continue to be creative, understand what they can can do best and take advantage of each opportunity as it comes.
The 2026-2027 National Alpine Ski Team (NAST) and National Ski Cross Team (NSCT) were both announced last week with 4 new Alpine athletes being named to the team along with 1 new Ski Cross Athlete. Congratulations to all of the athletes named, I hope they are proud to of what they have been able to achieve, the recognition of being named to the team, and the opportunity to represent Australia overseas. I also think it is important to recognize, and say thank you, to both Tom Hoffman and Connor Leggett who reached out to me to inform me that they would be stepping away from competitive ski racing. Both athletes had strong race careers, representing Australia across the globe, and now, along with Harry Laidlaw, who announced his retirement after the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, will seek out new challenges and I wish them all nothing but the best.
Earlier in June we held an Emerging Talent Camp with all disciplines at the NSTC from May 29th to the 31st. This camp brought together ETP athletes across the Snowsport family for sessions covering physical profiling including everyone’s favourite, the Beep Test! Also, there were sessions around team building, Q&A’s with Olympic Athlete’s Adam Lambert and Josie Baff, goal setting, and MasterChef challenges in the evening. Alpine was represented strongly by Owen Clark, Eliza Sweeney-Ramasundara and Isabella Konecsny.
Following directly off the back of the ETP Camp we held a National Alpine Ski Team physical profiling camp which was also open to ETP athletes to attend. The basis of this camp revolves around physical testing for our athletes and as an introduction for our newer ETP athletes. However, it also offers a great opportunity to share experiences and stories and bring athletes closer together. Madison Hoffman and Louis Muhlen-Schulte were both in attendance to share their vast experience from World Cup and from Madi competing at her first Olympics. Also in attendance were Sophie Mahon, fresh from her World Cup debut, Sammie Gaul, Abbey Evans, Eliza Sweeney-Ramasundara, and Owen Clark.
Stay positive, work hard, learn heaps and get ready!!
Cheers
Shawn Fleming
National Alpine Director |
