**Learn to Ski
Hey Coach Sherry here with an update=)
What a blue bird day of skiing Saturday! We are so proud of all skiers that were present as everyone all went up the carpet 👏👏😊.
This coming Saturday is our last week . We will be doing some turning,stopping and having fun!
If you have questions on what’s next please touch base with me. Let’s have a great last day together!
Thank you!
**SKI LEVEL DEVELOPMENT (SLD)
It has been a great week on the slopes! Everyone has been skiing around Hickory, and all groups have successfully made it up the Magna and Cupcake rope tows. Most skiers have even made it up Swede a few times — a big accomplishment!

We’ve been working on side slips and hockey stops, building confidence and control on steeper terrain. It’s wonderful to see how much progress everyone is making.

Next week, we will review all the skills we’ve learned and celebrate with a fun ski day on Wednesday! We’ll ski around the hill, set up an obstacle course, check in with ski patrol, and enjoy a special treat together =)

We are excited to have a great week with you!

**RACE CLINICS
This past week in race clinics, we reviewed race rules and tactics and spent time reinforcing smart decision-making on the course. We also introduced some basic sports psychology, including strategies athletes can use to calm their nerves in the start gate and stay focused before a run.

We will continue reviewing race rules and are hoping to incorporate some video analysis.

On Thursday, we plan to set up dual GS courses so athletes can race side-by-side — always a fun and exciting way to finish the season! We’ll also have a special treat to celebrate the end of clinics.

This week will be our final regular race clinics for athletes who are not attending the Volkl Cup. For more information on Volkl Cup – see Sunday Races update.

It’s been great to see the growth and effort from everyone this season! Let’s end with our best week yet!

**USSS/FIS (All Teams)
This week was a lot of fun with great training and entertaining races! As we move into the 2nd half of February, we thank all of you – skiers, coaches and parents – for keeping the FUN in skiing!
Huge shout out to our weekend “fun race” sponsors, Moomer’s and Don Orr – sugar treats and cool gift bags are great motivators!! Everyone had a blast at Hickory and we thank you!!
We have enjoyed an amazing winter season together and are coming into championship race season with some awesome conditions and impressive ski racing – let’s go!
Racing:
U14 & U16 Hosking Central Region Qualifying Race:
Thank you to those who attended our informational meeting Sunday night to help talk through this race series. Below is a summary of important notes:
  • This race is hosted by CR2 and Fact Sheet on the CR2 website:  https://region2cussa.sportngin.com/
  • Register ASAP on SKIREG: https://www.skireg.com/events/?name=hosking
  • Reminder to please check the DIBS and help out the race organizers, GTSC – links by race on the Fact Sheet.
  • Make sure to get the WhatsApp for your age group for this race- all communication will be here! Both U14 and U16 WhatsApp links at bottom of Fact Sheet.
  • All athletes and parents asked to reach out to Craig to ensure communication within group for the race weekend. Please ensure Craig knows if you plan to attend any trainings, and please try to make our team meetings the night prior to race startups for U16 and then U14. These are in person with coaches and really helpful to get ready!
Good luck and safe travels to all our GTSC racers at the Hosking!!  You will be amazing and we are proud of you for stepping into the start gate to do your best =)
Other Middle School Race Opportunities this week for those not attending Hosking:
Middle School Boyne Race – Thursday:
This will be a GS only race, with bussing to/from the race and lots of fun!
See Schedule and please help with Assignments to keep our racers well fed, and taken care of.
Please be sure to mark your Availability so our coaches can plan accordingly!
HRT Invitational:
I want to make sure all GTSC USSS fams know this race does not allow for USSS racers, per Fact Sheet and as confirmed with race organizers.
Thank you for understanding.
Michigan Middle School State Finals:
This is a newer race that GTSC just learned of – open to ALL Middle School racers:
MHSSCA is excited to once again host the Michigan Middle School State Finals on Saturday, February 21 at Schuss Mountain!
The race is open to all Michigan 6th, 7th, and 8th grade athletes.
Please review the attached event flyer for full details and register if interested!
Registration Link:
https://forms.gle/bJf8AKPdD6CiYPfZ6

Please note GTSC does not send a coach to this event.

Training:
All USSS/FIS:
Please see training schedule as posted in TeamSnap Schedule.
Keep your eyes on the weekend trainings as there is a chance they may shift around a little bit.
Thanks all, let’s have a great week!!
………………………………
 
MSRT
Last week was a ton of fun with an HRT Middle School Race mid-week for our skiers!
This week, we keep the momentum going with a great week of training per our Schedule, and our Boyne Mountain race on Thursday!
Please note our previously scheduled Crystal Mtn race was cancelled by race organizers. We are unsure at this time if they will reschedule or not.
Boyne Mountain Middle School Race: 
  • This race is Thursday, Feb. 19, GS only, 4pm race start
  • Please check out the Assignments as we will need lots of help keeping our racers fed and the volunteer spots filled!
  • Many of our USSS racers will be gone, so we will be leaning on MSRT fams to help here please =)
  • See bus times in Schedule and this will be a fun day for the racers!!
We have also learned of another Middle School Race and want to share if any GTSC skiers are interested:
Michigan Middle School State Finals:
This is a newer race that GTSC just learned of – open to ALL Middle School racers:

MHSSCA is excited to once again host the Michigan Middle School State Finals on Saturday, February 21 at Schuss Mountain!

  • The race is open to all Michigan 6th, 7th, and 8th grade athletes.
  • Please review the attached event flyer for full details and register if interested!
  • Registration Link:
  • Please note GTSC does not send a coach to this event.
Thanks all, let’s have a great week!!
**Sunday Races
We enjoyed a beautiful day for slalom on Buck! Thank you to all the racers and volunteers for making it fun!
We topped off our awesome day with a giant human “75” on Pete to kick off Hickory’s 75 birthday right around the corner in 2027. Thanks for being a part of history with us!
This weekend, we will have a few racing options:
Sat, Feb 21:
HRT Invitational:  
This is an optional add-on race if your skier is interested hosted by our friends at Holiday Race Team (HRT).
The Fact Sheet is attached for your review, more info below:
  • Price: $65/racer total
    • This includes:
      • $45 racer fee – lift ticket, race and lunch
      • $20 GTSC coaching fee
  • Race includes GS & SL
  • Please note USSS skiers are not able to compete in this event per HRT rules
  • GTSC Registration Link: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/514968


Sunday, Feb 22:

This will be our last Sunday Race of the season and consist of one slalom and one GS race.
We will be back on Swede/waterfall for our final race.

Boys will start with GS on Tree Side and girls will start with slalom on Rope Side.

Equipment safety reminder: 

Skiers wear chin bars on their helmets for slalom to protect them from the gates slapping them in the face.
These chin bars are NOT allowed in GS and must be removed due to concerns with falling at higher speeds and potential for neck injuries with this bar on.
Parents should also remind kids to never ski in the trees with a chin bar to prevent neck injuries.
Reminder of the racer and equipment information reviewed at the start of the season and uploaded in media files in TeamSnap – always a good review.
Thank you for helping to keep our skiers safe!
Looking forward: 
Volkl Cup Championship Race (formerly Welborn Cup)
The Volkl Cup Championship Race brings together all alpine ski clubs to compete for the championship!
Following our final Sunday Race, all scores will be updated on our website under ‘Sunday Races’ – https://timing.gtskiclub.org/
This information has been available and continuously updated all season as a way to ensure transparency with all our race fams, so your racer can see where their ranking is.
Huge thank you to Tim Barrons for helping keep us all informed by maintaining this site!
Once all scores are in and our GTSC rankings complete, the top 5 skiers, and 1 alternate per age group, will be contacted by GTSC as a qualfiier to compete in the Volkl Cup.
Skiers are not required to accept this qualification to the Volkl Cup – as it is an optional, add-on race for your skier – but an incredible honor to qualify and represent GTSC!
The 2026 Volkl Cup race will take place on Sunday, March 1 at Boyne Highlands this year. This race Fact Sheet will be shared as soon as a few final details are confirmed with race organizers.
End of Season Celebration:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Our End of Season Celebration will be Monday, March 2 at Right Brain Brewery, 5:30pm!
More information to come!
Posted in Club Updates

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