Gina is one of the "teacher/coaches" traveling with the SSWSC Athletes in Austria for the month.  She will from time to time send us an update with some photos.  Enjoy:

Hi all,It's snowing!  1 meter of neuer schnee in the last 2 days; when the wind dies down the skiing will be great.  The vertical just doubled, more lifts and runs are opening.  The kids are having a great time and they are braving the tough weather conditions like pros. Though, it was our first official day without a study hall, the kids took books to the mountain today in case there was a delayed opening.  They spent about 2 hours studying before the lift opened. Kate Cooper turned 14 yesterday.  She even had a homemade birthday strudel with a candle. Hope all of you are well.   Here are some new pictures. Thanks, Gina

Read more: Update from Gina Wither in Austria

The SSWSC along with the Lowell Whiteman school are offering a residence training program where the best ski racers and scholars come together for one full month. The location is Patsch Austria,  centrally located to the best glaciers in Europe for alpine ski training.  For October 2009,  thirteen athletes were selected by an application process based on ski racing performance, attitude, and scholastic performance. The project goals are: 1.An extensive training block, close to the competition season. The large training volume allows for strong habits/fundamentals in technique and tactics to be formed. 2. Academic support where neither academics nor athletics are compromised! 3. World class training environment, exposure to the world’s best skiers, the European “sense of urgency”, snow surface and terrain. The general content is: 5 days on-snow, 2 days off. Daily: studies and physical conditioning. First block: fundamentals review in free skiing, corridors and brush courses. Second block: Carving top of turn and transitions. Third block: turn shape and turn placement. Fourth block: glide turns, terrain adaptation, and speed (SG).