Who’s Got Your Back

Back protection is a safety consideration that is growing in our snow sports world. Technology has made these more effective and comfortable. They are now mandatory in big mountain events and recommended in other disciplines. The IFSA (the organizing entity for big mountain competition) has mandated that all athletes must wear a Back Protector when competing. 

At the SSWSC we do not require athletes to wear back protectors at training, however, most of our coaching staff strongly believe in them.  From a safety aspect we believe that wearing one is the right call for any athlete riding in unmaintained or off piste terrain, course, or a terrain park,  where many of our groups will train at some point.  From an athletic point of view, its is a good idea to wear the same gear you compete in when you train. Adding back protection for comp day can easily throw off a competitor. It’s best to be used to it and comfortable with how it may affect your performance.

There will generally be two rating types for back protectors that you will see.
          Type One is less protection, a bit softer and generally recommended to athletes traveling less that 40mph.
          Type Two offer more protection and are more suited for higher speeds.

A couple of the ski shops in town have offered to bring in samples for you to try on and then place an order. Ski and Bike Kare have P.O.C. protectors in now to try on. Christy Sports in Central Park will have Sweet Protection in the next week or so to try.

Here are a couple of websites that offer some advice as well.
https://sloperunner.com/2018/12/08/how-to-choose-the-best-back-protection-for-skiing/
https://www.sport-conrad.com/blog/en/back-protection-necessary-safety-equipment/

Alpine

Last weekend, SSWSC’s Jett Seymour was honored by Colorado Snowsports Museum in the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame as the collegiate skier of the year! Congratulations, Jett! Pictured with University of Denver coach Andy Leroy.

Nordic Combined

Congratulations to the SSWSC athletes named to the National and Junior National Teams!

National team
Nordic combined — men
Taylor Fletcher
Jasper Good
Grant Andrews
Nordic combined — women
Annika Malacinski*
Tess Arnone*
Ski jumping — men
Decker Dean
Ski jumping — women
Annika Belshaw*
Junior national team
Nordic combined — men
Bennett Gamber*
Niklas Malacinski*
Gunnar Gilbertson*
Nordic Combined — women
Alexa Brabec*
Ski Jumping — men
Canden Wilkinson*
Erik Belshaw*
* current SSWSC member



Read the Steamboat Pilot and Today’s Article HERE and the USA Nordic Article Here

Please welcome our newest coach, Charley Abernathy as the newest member of our SJ/NC staff! Charley will be taking over as U10 SJ/NC Head Coach. Growing up in Colorado, Charley was placed on Alpine skis at 2.5, but found her true ski family once on the SSWSC Nordic ski racing team. Charley was a successful Nordic ski racing competitor at the Junior National level for SSWSC and was recruited to a NCAA Division 1 nordic ski team in college. She co-coached at the U8 level for AVSC (Aspen Valley Ski Club) and has been the Head Nordic Coach for the Colorado Rocky Mountain School. She is happy to return to the beloved Howelsen Hill where she was crowned Winter Carnival Queen, and has maintained her love for nordic skiing in all of its forms despite studying and working world-wide. Charley is currently a math and science teacher at Yampa Valley High School and she is also a doctor of veterinary medicine.

Cross Country

Cross Country athletes have been loving all of the fresh snow. These photos are from October 22nd; what an early start to the season! Huge thanks to the volunteers keeping Bruce’s Trail groomed!