November 30 Update: City Kids Java Pickup, Supplemental Training, Giants Ridge, Sprongo, Welch Race Intentions, Hyland Training, Apparel

What a great start to the season. We are on snow earlier than we have ever been, which allows us to focus carefully on mastering the fundamentals of our sport.  I want to thank all the coaches who have made it possible for us to effectively coach so many athletes on the hill every night.  I am so grateful to each one of you.  Athletes, you have done a great job staying focused on performing the drills we teach you with precision.  Keep up the good work.  Your positive attitudes and effort are paying off. We are seeing rapid improvements in your skiing. In fact, from the bottom of the hill we can identify our skiers by their FANTASTIC FUNDAMENTALS. Just a word of encouragement to all: show up as often as you can. Each night we introduce new drills.  Each new drill teaches a new fundamental skill.  If you miss multiple days in a row, you will miss some important steps in the learning progression.  
 
City Kids Java Fundraiser 
Thank you to Kelly Bent and Christine Smalley for running a terrific fundraiser for our athletes.  They have already calculated everyone’s earnings from this fundraiser.  The money you raised will be credited into your Sports Illustrated Play account in the next day or two.  You can then use that money to pay for Giants Ridge or Supplemental Training Sessions or save it up for next year.
 
The City Kids Java Fundraiser COFFEE PICK UP is scheduled for Saturday, Dec 2 from Noon to 1PM at Fuller Park (48th and Grand Ave South).  Remember, you are responsible for picking up and delivering the coffee you sold.  
 
New Times for Dec 2 Supplemental Training at Welch Village
1PM                Load Bus at Washburn
2:30-3PM        Video Session/Meeting in the Chalet
3-7PM             Directed Free Skiing Drills
7:15PM           Bus Depart for Washburn
8:15PM           Estimated Time of Arrival to Washburn.
 
Due to the warm weather, Welch has limited terrain available for skiing and not enough snow to allow us to set courses this weekend.  They are also adjusting the hours that they are open from 9am-9pm to 10am-7pm.  So…. We are still planning on holding a Supplemental Training at Welch, but instead of skiing gates we will free ski.  It will be very valuable to work the drills on longer runs and more interesting terrain.  If you have already signed up for Supplemental Training and no longer wish to attend either because of the time change or because you don’t want to spend four hours working the drills, send me an email and I will credit your account.   However, I hope you will still join us.  This will be just as valuable as skiing gates.  
 
One other note: Bring a BAG LUNCH/SUPPER.  We are skiing intensely for all four hours.  Maybe we will let you take a 5-minute break to use the bathroom and get a drink of water.  No purchases in the cafeteria allowed.  We want to use every available minute to ski.  You can eat a bag lunch during video, on the chairlift, or on the bus ride home.  
 
Other Supplemental Training dates:

• Sat, Dec 9 at Welch
• Wed, Dec 27 at Welch
• Sat, Jan 13 at Welch 
• Sat, Jan 20 at Wild MT
• Sat, Jan 27 at Welch
• Sat, Feb 3 at Wild MT

Sign up here:  http://minneapolisalpineskiteam.siplay.com/site/
 
Giants Ridge Camp
Our annual Giants Ridge Camp will be held on January 2-5, 2018.   Keep those registrations coming. To learn more about camp, click here: http://www.mplsalpineski.org/giants-ridge-camp.html To register for Camp, click here: http://minneapolisalpineskiteam.siplay.com/site/  Please note the registration deadline of December 15th.   
 
Sprongo
We have been shooting video at practice and those clips are loaded on the MAST video sharing sight called SPRONGO.  Some of you have already set up your Sprongo account, which allows the coaches and athletes to “tag” your clip to your account.  If you have not set up your Sprong account, please do that today.  Look through your emails for an invitation from Sprongo to become a member of the MAST Sprongo account.  Accept that invitation and create an account for yourself using your(the athlete’s) name. If you can’t find your invitation, request one by clicking here: https://sprongo.com/team/32056/playlists
 
MAST Apparel
MAST Apparel is FOR SALE through the end of the day TOMORROW, DECEMBER 1. You can see a picture of every item and make your purchase online here: MAST Apparel Sale. Note: Log In using your email and password. Then scroll down to the button that says SHOP.
 
REMINDER: Welch Invitational Race Intentions Needed
Please state your race intentions for the Welch Invite here: Welch Invite Race Intentions.
 
Saturday, Dec 2 Hyland Training Alert
There is A CHANCE that we will cancel training at Hyland. As of today, Hyland is not planning to open early at 8am because the race training lanes are not yet open so no one can set gates. I have requested that they open at 8am nonetheless so we can get some skiing in before the crowds arrive at 9am. I am waiting to hear back from management.  If they open at 9am, the reality is that it will very quickly become too dangerous for us to work our drills on the limited terrain available for skiing.  Lessons begin on Saturday and over 200 lessons are scheduled every 90 minutes starting at 9am. Yikes.  If they open at 8am for the high schools, we will ski from 8am-10am.   Keep checking your email for updates and your ical/google calendar. 
 
Training Schedule
Please consult our website for the latest information on the training schedule.  
Here is a link: www.mplsalpineski.org.
 
See you at practice this evening from 6:30-8:45PM.
​
Mark
612-275-8392