MT HOOD, OREGON

TOP SUMMER TRAINING SITE IN NORTH AMERICA!

SESSION #1                                     SESSION #2

            (From left: Coach Crick, Gorex (Carl Preiksaitis), Ty          (Back Row:Coach Zehner, Weston Witlock, Blake Bledsoe

            Cowles-Meyer, Dillon Bauernfiend, JM Larson, John             Cliff Grout, RJ Grout, Coach Holcomb.)

            Cowles, Vaughn Peck, Will Cowles-Meyer, Sam Elliot,         (Front Row: Robert Kincaid, Charlotte Dubiel, Taylor

            Coach Holcomb)                                                              Gordon, Carson Ramsden, Kat Lamberson.)

A large group of SSRA athletes took advantage of the early preparation phase and the outstanding glacial training opportunities at Mt. Hood this summer. Fifteen members of SSRA, an athlete from FAST, and one from MRT attended two separate camps during late June and early July. Due to the limited snowpack, it was crucial that we got on snow, while there was adequate coverage and terrain from which to choose. And, although Palmer Snowfield was packed, it proved to be a good strategy. We had phenomenal training!

This year we moved our accomodations to Government Camp.

         CHATEAU WHITLOCK                  GOURMET TRAINING TABLE

                                                                                 (From left to right: Will Cowles-Meyer, Lil John, Sam Elliot,

                                                                                                    Vaughn Peck, JM Larson, John Cowles, Ty Cowles-Meyer,

                                                                                                                                      and Dillon Bauernfiend)

This made getting up to the hill easier and we were usually one of the first teams on the lift. In addition, staying in "Govy" made testing equipment much easier.

         CHARLOTTE FOUND HER #1 SKI         TAYLOR TESTED TOPS ON FISCHER   THE ROCK BROKE THROUGH ON ATOMIC

We utilized the activities in the area for afternoon activities and had an outstanding all-around experience. Moreover, the ping pong table in our camp house was the site of some hotly contested double-elimination tournaments.

CHAMPION...OR, DETHRONED BY BLEDSOE??

Central was the training, and it was truly outstanding. In fact, coaches agreed that the camps were the most productive in memory. We saw excellent progress throughout the groups. Some individuals experienced incredible "breakthroughs", while others laid the technical foundation and/or gained the understanding necessary for the next leap forward. In every case, athletes made excellent use of their time and developed the skills that will make them competitive, if not hard to beat, during the 2005-06 season.

TY COWLES-MEYER DEMONSTRATING HIS SLALOM BREAKTHROUGH!

All in all, the 2005 SSRA Summer Training Camps were a great experience for both the athletes, and the coaching staff. We would like to thank everyone for their participation, great attitudes and work ethic on the glacier. It was a blast! And, each of you will have a distinct advantage going into a very promising 2005-06 winter season.

GO SSRA!!!!!!