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Academy Team Moves into 5th Year |
Aug 13th, 2012
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Academy Team Summer Preview
The Alberta World Cup Academy is in full stride as the final few weeks of summer draw near. Marking their 5th year as an elite training platform for athletes throughout Canada, the depth of the team includes some of the most experienced and fastest skiers in Canada. Using a new training model this year, the team has shifted its focus by implementing a separate men’s and women’s program. Whereas the team has operated as a mixed gender group in the past allowing for logistical and financial efficiencies, this year’s approach has narrowed the coaching focus for each group and has allowed an enhanced commitment towards the development of the athletes. Both programs will continue to travel together for most events, camps and activities, but will maintain its gender specific focus throughout.
Among the new athletes to the team are junior racers Dahria Beatty, Suzanne Stevenson and Brittany Evans, along with 5th year senior Alana Thomas. New recruits on the men’s side include Brent McMurtry, overall winner of last seasons NorAm circuit, Michael Somppi, Chris Hamilton and Russell Kennedy. The team also consist of a strong National Team presence, with eight of the nine athletes selected to Canada’s Senior Development Team now training with the Academy.
Women’s team:
Chris Jeffries – Head Coach
George Grey – Assistant Head Coach
Kate Brennan – Pakenham, ON
Janelle Greer – Whitehorse, YK
Annika Hicks – Canmore, AB
Marlis Kromm – Calgary, AB
Alysson Marshall (NST) – Salmon Arm, BC
Emily Nishikawa (NST) – Whitehorse, YK
Rebecca Reid – Rossland, BC
Heidi Widmer – Banff, AB
Suzanne Stevenson* – Calgary AB
Dahria Beatty* - Whitehorse, BC
Brittany Evans* – Revelstoke, BC
Alana Thomas* – Mississauga, ON
Men’s Team:
Mike Cavaliere – Head Coach
Stefan Kuhn – Assistant Head Coach
Jess Cockney (NST) – Canmore, AB
Graeme Killick (NST) – Canmore, AB
Graham Nishikawa (NST) – Whitehorse
Kevin Sandau (NST) – Calgary, AB
Patrick Stewart-Jones – Ottawa, ON
Phil Widmer – Banff, AB
Matt Wylie – Vernon, BC
Brent McMurtry* (NST) – Calgary, AB
Michael Somppi* (NST) – Thunder Bay, ON
Chris Hamilton* -Thunder Bay, ON
Russell Kennedy* - Truckee, California
Coaching Support Intern
Jeremy Hecker*
NST – National Ski Team
Jr NST – Junior National Ski Team
* – First year on team
Check out the updated team profiles here
Both men’s and women’s team depart Thursday for their last summer camp of the season in Whitefish, Montana. A new training location over the normal Whistler destinations, the team’s focus will be on volume dry land training.
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