Gravity SnowSports training camp at Hintertux this week, so off to Gatwick to Innsbruck then transfer to Hintertux.
Arrived Sunday into Innsbruck, super fast transfer to Hintertux and the amazing hotel Tiroler Hotel. Unload and check in, followed by walk to local shops to get food supplies.
Day 1 (Sunday) – hard day on GS skis for the very first time (Atomic 144 GS Redsters), which is about 16cm longer than my slalom skis. Glen training us to turn and cope with faster longer turns. So this AM on lots of fast slopes and after lunch (they do massive roast chicken lunches :-)) back on the slopes. Afternoon finished off with strength and conditioning.
Also new additions to my ski equipment, with a new massive nordica bag! it’s so big I can actually fit inside it.
And a great new blue POC race helmet and POC goggles!
Luckily my hired GS skis are being prep’d tonight by the hire shop, so dad gets a night off. But the hotel here is amazing and they let ski team use the basement garage to prep skis.
Last thing on day 1 is the news that the German men’s ski race team and the Austrian women’s B ski race team are staying at out hotel !
Day 2 (Monday) – more GS drills and exercises today, and onto a steeper slope to start generating more speed ! having a great time !
Really starting to get the hang of GS skis. They are totally different to SL and the technique has been difficult to start with, but Glen saying starting to get the hang of it.
Mum and Dad also seem to have a great time skiing as well ! Dad got much better after realizing his ski brake was dragging !
Like every afternoon, strength and conditioning.
Day 3 (Tuesday) consisted of more GS runs and drills along the long fast Hintertux slopes.
This week at our Hotel, the German Mens team are staying, they include the German No. 1 Felix Neureuther and Fritz Dopfer (both Nordica skiers) and Stefan Luitz. Also staying at our hotel, where the Austrian Womens B team and the Netherlands ParaOlympic Team. Great atmosphere in the hotel. The Mens and Ladies teams would be off to Soleden for the first FIS GS races of the season.
Day 4 (Wednesday) – Last day on the GS skis today. They have been hard to get used to at first but by the end of the four days really getting used to them and the method of turning. Been a big move from my Atomic Slalom skis at 125cm to Atomic GS skis at 144cm.
Our first (and only) day of bad weather on the slopes, but as Glen and Ben say, get used to it as you will have to race in it ! We also had a great session of emergency training from Glen, in terms of what to do in an accident, how to get down the mountain safely in a whiteout and general low visibility sking.
Day 5 (Thursday) – Onto Slalom skis for the next two days, which means first runs on my new Nordica SL skis.
Glorious day of slalom on very steep slopes and amazing moguls.
Day 6 (Friday) – Final day of skiing, again on slalom skis and again lots of moguls and steep slopes.
Watching Rob and the Army Royal Logistic Corp Ski Team on GS lanes !
Last ski off the glacier ! Can’t wait to come back again !
Zac Metheringham 