NORDIC SKIING/NORDIC COMBINED

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Background:

The spectacular airborne sport of ski jumping is one of the Winter programs offered at the National Sports Academy as is nordic combined which as its name implies combines the Nordic sports of ski jumping and cross country skiing. Here in Lake Placid the Nordic sports have a long tradition going back to before the 1932 Olympics in which Skiing by definition meant Cross Country and Jumping. In 1980 Lake Placid hosted its second Winter Olympic Games and Lake Placid became the home of two modern Olympic sized ski jumps (K-90 and K-120 meter hills) which have become an important site for training and competition up to the present day. In 1994 the two hills were reprofiled and new plastic was put on the K-90 hill making it the most modern K-90 Summer and Winter training facilities in North America. Additionally there are K-48 and K18 meter hills both equipped with plastic for Summer/Fall Training. With this facility as home base the National Sports Academy offers a program of training and competition second to none in this country.

Philosophy:

Although NSA is geared towards helping skiers achieve their ambitions on the ski hill, our program is run with an eye toward producing well-rounded student-athletes whose focus includes academics as well as athletics. Athletes are expected to be responsible concerning their academic requirements and take advantage of the opportunity to work closely with their teachers who are at NSA to help them continue their studies even with the travel and time demands which competition and training often entail. Our philosophy is that we will do our best to help the student-athlete realize their potential and develop to their fullest whether it is towards an Olympic Team or to become a well rounded student-athlete prepared to move on to the college of their choice.

Development: Although many of our skiers have excelled, the program is designed in a way to allow the skier to proceed and develop at a pace which is comfortable for them. Whether their aspirations are to the Olympic level or to just doing the best they can, our program wants to give the skier opportunity to develop to the best of their ability. Physical training is an important part of the equation in Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined and great attention is paid to this aspect. Utilizing the training facilities of both the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the Olympic Regional Development Authority, athletes participate in a program developing the necessary strength and quickness for this demanding sport.

Our jumpers compete in a variety of competitions including Eastern Regional meets, National Championships, Olympic Tryouts, and International competitions.

The National Sports Academy format of morning training allows us optimal training conditions and some skiers participate in late afternoon sessions on the smallest hills with the local programs.

NYSEF Coaching Staff