SKIER CROSS COMES TO SILVER STAR
posted 09.21.11

KIDS SKIER CROSS

In the past year Canadian Skiers, particularly from the West have made their
names famous on the World stage in the exciting new alpine skiing discipline
of Skier Cross. Names like Ashleigh McIvor, Chris del Bosco and Kelowna
native Kelsy Serwa are known world champions and Olympic medalists. This new
form of ski racing incorporates rollers, bank turns and jumps that resemble
a Moto-Cross track. The design and build of the track is what separates
events like the X-Games and grass roots development programs.

New for the 2011-12 winter season, the Vernon Ski Club will incorporate Skier
Cross into all of programs to enhance the existing slalom, giant slalom and
speed disciplines. The sport development model from Alpine Canada recommends
not specializing in any discipline until about 18 years of age. "Cross
training all aspects of alpine racing along with a good amount of all
mountain skiing makes for the best training environment for all young
skiers" says Dave Ellis, Director of Sport, Canada Ski Cross. When the time
is right the skier can choose what discipline(s) they like the most, and
that matches their body size, strength and skill.

The Skier Cross development plan at the Vernon Ski Club is progressive.
"Safe Skill Development is our primary focus" says John Armstrong, Program
Director of the Vernon Ski Club. "We will use the skier cross environment to
develop balance and adaptation to changing terrain". The bonus is that the
kids have loads of fun while building their confidence". Skiers will run
the track one at a time, then gradually more skiers will be added to the
track as their skill level and confidence builds. The Skier Cross training
will be intermittently scheduled within the regular programs to balance user
needs of the skier cross track both within the club and with public skiers.

The competition plan is also progressive. The tracks will be built to suit
the skill and confidence levels of the skiers. Also, the format will be one
skier at a time until it is appropriate to have more skiers on track at one
time. An open entry event will be held during Spring Break 2012 "Round Up"
at Silver Star. The K1 and K2 programs will have skier cross incorporated
into their Provincial competition series.