| |
About the “J Team” Program
The J Team Alpine Ski Racing program is open to young skiers 8 years of age and older as of December 31 of the current ski season, who are serious about learning alpine ski racing, or in developing and improving their current racing skills. New J Team candidates are required to participate in a pre-season on snow Try Out process in early December of each season, during which they must demonstrate appropriate skiing skills necessary to participate in the J Team program. J Team racers must be able to ride the chair lift on their own and ski all terrain at Wilmot with confidence and consistency. J Team racers spend the day with their coaches and teammates making new friends, building confidence, raising levels of self esteem, developing lifelong skills and gaining a healthy outlook on competitive sports. J Team members may choose to travel with the team to USSA-Central Region 2 and Central Division races, or WIJARA Youth Ski League sponsored races in the Midwest area. (Wisconsin/Illinois/Iowa Junior Alpine Racing Assn.). WIJARA hosts four weekend races a year. The Wilmot J Team is a member club of USSA & WIJARA Youth Ski Racing League.
J Team Racers are grouped by ability and age into two groups: the Developmental (DEVO) Group and the Competition (COMP) Group.
Devo Group:
These young skiers may be new to alpine racing and want to learn the fundamentals of ski racing, or may have some prior racing experience and are working on developing and improving their alpine ski racing skills. Devo Group training will focus on the introduction and acquisition phases of skiing skills necessary to develop a strong foundation for successful ski racing. The coaching staff uses a variety of skill building exercises appropriate to individual levels of development: drills, guided free skiing, and age-appropriate SL, & GS gate training. Devo group skiers train in both SL and GS disciplines and can participate in WIJARA youth league races, for age groups J4, J5, and J6 (7 to 12 years of age as of December 31 of the particular year). Their goals are to improve their basic racing skills and learn new skills to improve overall technique, strategy, control, and speed. Our Coaching Staff utilizes skill building exercises including: guided free skiing, drills, and age-appropriate GS and SL gate training to develop overall skiing skills and alpine racing skills.
Comp Group:
The age for the Comp Group ranges from 9 to 18 years old as of December 31 of the specific season. Comp Group racers posses alpine ski racing fundamentals and have prior ski racing experience. These athletes are working on developing advanced racing skills, setting goals, and improving their race results and regional and national rankings. Racers are guided through a variety of advanced skill building exercises and progressions utilizing drills, free skiing, and age-appropriate SL, GS and SG/Speed Elements gate training. These racers participate in WIJARA, USSA Region 2 and Central Division races, and FIS level races/Mid-AM. Comp Group athletes are encouraged to participate in year-round training and physical fitness programs, and are expected to make a greater commitment to ski racing, including attendance at development camps, travel races, posses appropriate equipment, participate in equipment maintenance and tuning, and demonstrate continual development and dedication to the sport of alpine ski racing.
Team Training Schedule
The team trains for a full season on Saturdays and Sundays. Team training usually starts the 2nd weekend of the season snow coverage permitting. Training times are from 10:00 AM to 12 Noon, and from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Check in with coaching staff by the Ski School Desk by 9:30 AM on weekends and be ready to ski. Team members may join their coaches for lunch as a group. Lunch is not included in the program fee. We also train on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Click this to Contact Coaching Staff for more info about mid-week training.
Other Program Requirements
Appropriate Ski Helmets are required and must be worn at all times during training. Helmets must cover the ears and back of head. Wearing of goggles or other appropriate protective eye wear is strongly encouraged. Team members must abide by the team rules and the ski area’s posted safety rules at all times.
COMP Group Registration
DEVO Group Registration
Parent Volunteer WIJARA
Team Rules
USSA Race Schedule
WIJARA Race Schedule and Hotel Info
Coaching Staff
Our Coaching Staff is comprised of certified Professional Ski Instructors of America – PSIA, as well as United States Ski Coaches Association – USSCA registered coaches. Our staff brings a wealth of skiing, ski racing, and coaching experience for all levels of Youth Alpine Ski Racing.
|
