WESTERN REGIONAL ELITE GROUP CAMP
Claire Tappaan Lodge, June 24-29th, 2007

The 2007 edition of the Western Region Elite Group Camp, sponsored by the U.S. Ski Team and Far West Nordic, is complete, and was huge hit with both athletes and coaches alike.

Almost 50 athletes and 14 coaches arrived on Sunday afternoon in time to get acquainted and enjoy a mentally AND physically demanding special Team Orienteering Challenge at Donner State Park on the shores of Donner Lake in Truckee. Led by guest coach Mitch Dion of Far West Nordic, athletes were divided into teams of 7 (plus a coach's team, which of course tried to "bend" the rules). Running from station to station throughout the park, contestants were required to perform tasks such as Ski-Walking, chin-ups, swimming across the creek, and strength workouts, as well as figuring out challenges such as getting one of their team to the top of Split Rock, memorizing Nature Trail information, and more. Both individual and team-building skills were required to win this event.

Monday morning found the athletes heading out to either classic roller ski on Old Highway 40 next to the beautiful Yuba River (and near to the not-so-attractive Interstate 80), or else going over to nearby Boreal Ski Resort near the Auburn Ski Club for some mid-intensity running and lactate testing. After a relaxing lunch back at the old-but-comfortable Claire Tappaan Lodge, the groups switched their workouts.

Tuesday morning was once again designated for roller skiing, either skating down at the road out to Boca & Stampede Reservoirs east of Truckee, or once again along Old Hwy 40. The afternoon was reserved for a special workout at Riverview Park in Truckee, with one group being drilled into submission in a high-intensity strength workout by coach Travis Jones of Steamboat Springs. The other half was led by Truckee's Center for Sports Performance Kelly Quinn, who came up with new and unique ways to gain strength, agility, and flexibility without the need for extraneous equipment.

Wednesday was the crux day -- a difficult trail running time trial in nearby Negro Canyon, topping off on the upper trails of Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area. This 10 to 15 minute uphill run was the highest intensity workout of the week, and was won by Noah Hoffman of Aspen Valley Ski Club and Kate Dolan of Bridger Ski Foundation, with both runners shattering the course record for the event on a beautiful Sierra morning. Wednesday afternoon found the teams switching rollerski workouts from the day before, with some heading off to Boca for skating and others to Old Highway 40 for classic.

Thursday morning was once again a running event, this time heading over to nearby spectacular Lake Tahoe for an 11 mile low-intensity trail run on the Tahoe Rim Trail in the mountains on the eastern side of the lake. Campers were then rewarded with lunch and some well-deserved beach time on the shore of Lake Tahoe, where, from the looks of things that evening, some athletes (and coaches) seemed to have a sunburning contest in the high-altitude air. Thursday afternoon was once again a repeat of the Riverview Park workout from Tuesday, once again with Kelly Quinn and Travis Jones leading the way.

After a full week of just training, eating and sleeping, Thursday night at Claire Tappaan Lodge found some tired but relaxed campers. Each evening of the week a special guest speaker was brought in to address the troops, ranging from Dr. Andy Pasternak of Reno's Silver Sage Sports Performance Clinic, former U.S. Ski Team's Nancy Fiddler and Ben Husaby (both helping to coach at the camp), and U.S.S.T. Continental Cup Coach Patrick Casey. On Thursday evening, after Casey's presentation and a short multi-media slideshow from the 2007 Junior Olympics, an impromptu "talent show" was occurring at the lodge, led by some of the "regular" guests. Pacific Northwest's Tom Smith and Rocky Mountain's John Gerstenberger stole the show with their singing and (John's) piano expertise.

After a short run on Friday morning, it was time for athletes to finally head home. "This was an awesome camp, an awesome experience," said USST's Casey. "These athletes worked as hard as any I've seen at these regional camps, and the coaches did an incredible job of pulling this together. It was great having everyone here in one location, and it was good for me to see a lot of these up and coming athletes first hand." Led by Far West Nordic's Ben Grasseschi, Sara Salo, and Gary York, coaches and athletes had nothing but great things to say about the training and lodging conditions in the Sierra. As described by Coach Casey, a lot of these athletes are on the stepping stones to gaining a spot on the U.S. Ski Team soon.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE CAMP!!

Top skiers from all over the Western United States will arrive for this year's Regional Elite Group camp. Scheduled to be held at Claire Tappaan Lodge on Donner Summit, skiers and coaches will use the Sierra's great terrain and weather for some high intensity training.

This camp is by invitation only: Western REG criteria for
1) World Junior or J1 Scandi-Cup Athlete,
2) Top 15 at Junior Nationals 2007,
3) Must be J1, OJ, or 1st year Senior
4) Coaches’ Discretion

COST: $260
Payment due upon arrival: $200 per person to Claire Tappaan Lodge, $60 per person to Far West Nordic

Claire Tappaan Lodge:
19940 Donner Pass Road
Norden, CA 95724

Phone: 530-426-3632
Click Here for Google Map Link

COACHES: Please confirm by email to Gary, Ben, and the Far West Nordic Office who will be arriving for this camp :
Gary York: (530) 448-9111: xcskidog@gmail.com
Ben Grasseschi: (530) 388-8110: skubsnax@sbcglobal.net
Far West Nordic: (530) 587-0304: info@farwestnordic.org

Payment for lodging to Claire Tappaan Lodge
Payment for Far West for Camp additions ($60 each)
Lactate Testers and Strips
Video Cameras and cords
Training Ideas