USSA Training & Racing

The Grand Traverse Ski Club is excited to announce the addition of a USSA training program for the 2011-2012 season. This program is aimed at athletes in grades 6, 7 and 8 who compete in USSA weekend races and are looking to add some extra intensity to their training sessions during the week.

Athletes will train at Hickory Hills on Mondays, at Crystal Mt. on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Crystal Mt. on Wednesdays and at Hickory Hills or at middle school meets on Thursdays. Mondays at Hickory Hills will be optional for those who feel a rest or homework day is in order. Training will run concurrently with the middle school race team on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Athletes should register for the middle school race program ($350) in addition to the $150 fee for the USSA training program (total program fee of $500). Middle school aged USSA athletes are strongly encouraged to register for and participate in both USSA Training and middle school racing. Past athletes have found the middle school race team to be a very fun environment with a strong team element.

For those choosing to forego the middle school race team and train only with the USSA training program, the fee will be $300 and will include Tuesday nights at Crystal Mt. from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday afternoons at Crystal Mt., Thursday afternoons at Hickory Hills and no Monday training. Please keep in mind that those choosing the USSA training program without middle school racing will forego any transportation to Hickory Hills or Crystal Mt. and will not be eligible to participate in middle school races. Additionally, the USSA training program without middle school racing is meant for very committed, self-motivated, strong skiers who intend to participate in all USSA weekend races.

We believe that one must develop great ski skills before one can be a great ski racer. In accordance with this philosophy, we will perform many drills, especially those emphasizing stance and balance, in order to refine our fundamental ski skills. We will limit our time training in race courses as we believe in quality rather than quantity. We have seen too many kids train endless runs in race courses, which leads to the reinforcement of bad habits, fatigue and possible injury. We want to train and build proper ski mechanics so that our athletes become fundamentally strong skiers with a lifelong passion for the sport.

The coaching staff will work closely with the GTSC coaches who will coach the athletes at weekend USSA races. Our head coach is Austin Johnson, a Traverse City native and former member of the USSA Development Program who competed on the Nor-Am circuit and in Europe. Austin’s unique racing experience has shown him the ski skills that are necessary to build a foundation for successful racing at the highest levels of the sport.

Registration for USSA

The Grand Traverse Ski Club will again offer coaching support at select USSA races for the 2011-2012 season. Region III of the USSA offers a three race option or a full season option.The three race coaching option offered by GTSC costs $150, and the six race option costs $300. This coaching fee includes coaching before, during and after races on race days at the various venues throughout the season.

First, athletes who will participate in USSA racing will need to register for the GTSC’s USSA weekend racing program, which can be accomplished by going to the registration page and signing up for the three race or six race weekend USSA Racing option.  Each race weekend consists of two races (Saturday and Sunday) and sometimes three races (two on Saturday and one on Sunday).

Next, athletes must be registered with USSA.  Go to https://login.ussa.org to create an account with USSA and then complete the registration process. Once an online account has been created, register as a “youth competitor” ($70 fee) for those racers twelve years old and under. Racers over twelve must register as a “competitor” ($140 fee). Once the registration has been submitted, print the competitor’s registration card.

The last step is registering with Region III of Central Division of USSA at www.region3cussa.org/index.php.
Along the top right side of the homepage, click on “2011-2012 Registration Form – Birth Years 1999 and later” for those twelve and under. Print this form, complete and select either the three race ($200 if paid by Oct. 15) or full season option ($280 if paid by Oct. 15). Those selecting the three race option must specify the three races in which they will participate. Please note that GTSC will not provide coaching support at the Cannonsburg or Mt. Holly races. Those choosing the three race option must specify the three race weekends on which they will participate: Dec. 10 and 11 at Nubs Nob, Jan. 7 and 8 at Boyne Highlands, Jan. 28 and 29 at Boyne Mt., Feb. 11 and 12 at Schuss Mt., March 3 and 4 at Boyne Mt. and March 10 and 11 at Nubs Nob (total of six race weekends). Sign, date complete the parent volunteer section and return to Cathy Janowiak at the address listed on the registration form along with payment in full.

We look forward to a great season of fun ski racing!

Please contact Don Stellin at 231-499-4176 or donstellin@gmail.com with any questions.