Patrick
Active member
I've posted this thread elsewhere a few days ago, in part because I didn't want to hear some negatives comments right off from the start. I know some of you find ski racing boring and don't see the point.
If some of you have been reading some of my post from last season, you would know that my soon-to-be 13 years old daughter aka SteepMomo wanted to try out ski racing last season. We did the Intro to Nancy Greene level competition at a local hill in Ottawa (200m) only 30km away from downtown. You could choose only one day a week plus 4 races. I was cool with that (financial and left us/me time to ski somewhere more interesting).
Her coaches last year mentioned that she should be racing more competitively
She wants to try it at the next level. Her coaches want her. I know, buy a place in Vermont or move elsewhere and have her race from a club there, but that isn't going to happen. Instead of one day this year, it's 2 days, Holidays, etc. Race across the region and potential the province. Fun choice, right? If I say no, I'm being selfish. I want to encourage her and she has it in her. How long and many years it would last?
The only problem I see, is that she is moving from fun race skiing into some serious stuff due to her age. The fact that she would be the youngest (and his small for her age) would be pretty big step for her. K2 is 13-14 years old I believe. Her younger wants to try the Nancy Greene level, but she would be at the intro level, so races and girls at different hill on some days.
Potential or perception of negatives:
First for the selfishness ...
Cost $$$$ Cost in equipment and race program. We are talking probably around $1,500 in pass/program/races alone for one daughter. Beside the registration, passes and races. What does she need at that level? Probably needs two pairs of skis? Skinsuit? Guards? You don't need anything, however there is a difference between what I think she needs and what the club says she needs.
Time spent at a local hill or neighbouring hills (ie. not big mountains). Every weekend, Holidays...
We're a one car family and my wife isn't going to be the one driving our daughter at the hill at 8am at -25c. So I'll be skiing vertically challenged hiils.
Then there are concerns about her...
If I understand correctly, she would be racing K2 this season. She will be turning 13 in mid-October and she is the smallest in her school, generally as small as the youngest one year younger. Although she's a pretty good skier (in case I'm biased, her coach also said so - I was called a Rockstar when she was ripping at Mammoth ), I'm wondering about some psychological factor and possible discouragement. She has had in the past, a complex of being so much smaller than her classmates. She mentioned that she wanted to race K2, but it's a big step.
The amount of skiing and races. I believe I heard the number of races was 12. I'm also concern that this might be too much. Too much for her AND for me. I've always believe in the more free skiing (not necessarily at the small locals) the better. I've seen so many racers that raced from a young age to University. A good number of them were burned out and couldn't ski if it wasn't for gates and had little enjoyment in the sport. Although I started skiing at 3-4 (she started at 2), I've never really raced until reaches and had a long career in university. lol.
The selfish part of me will say that I'll be stuck skiing local hills more than ever, oh well. The ideal part is to get her part of a race program at a real mountain, but that isn't going to happen. That's life.
Help... that is all!!!
If some of you have been reading some of my post from last season, you would know that my soon-to-be 13 years old daughter aka SteepMomo wanted to try out ski racing last season. We did the Intro to Nancy Greene level competition at a local hill in Ottawa (200m) only 30km away from downtown. You could choose only one day a week plus 4 races. I was cool with that (financial and left us/me time to ski somewhere more interesting).
Her coaches last year mentioned that she should be racing more competitively
She wants to try it at the next level. Her coaches want her. I know, buy a place in Vermont or move elsewhere and have her race from a club there, but that isn't going to happen. Instead of one day this year, it's 2 days, Holidays, etc. Race across the region and potential the province. Fun choice, right? If I say no, I'm being selfish. I want to encourage her and she has it in her. How long and many years it would last?
The only problem I see, is that she is moving from fun race skiing into some serious stuff due to her age. The fact that she would be the youngest (and his small for her age) would be pretty big step for her. K2 is 13-14 years old I believe. Her younger wants to try the Nancy Greene level, but she would be at the intro level, so races and girls at different hill on some days.
Potential or perception of negatives:
First for the selfishness ...
Cost $$$$ Cost in equipment and race program. We are talking probably around $1,500 in pass/program/races alone for one daughter. Beside the registration, passes and races. What does she need at that level? Probably needs two pairs of skis? Skinsuit? Guards? You don't need anything, however there is a difference between what I think she needs and what the club says she needs.
Time spent at a local hill or neighbouring hills (ie. not big mountains). Every weekend, Holidays...
We're a one car family and my wife isn't going to be the one driving our daughter at the hill at 8am at -25c. So I'll be skiing vertically challenged hiils.
Then there are concerns about her...
If I understand correctly, she would be racing K2 this season. She will be turning 13 in mid-October and she is the smallest in her school, generally as small as the youngest one year younger. Although she's a pretty good skier (in case I'm biased, her coach also said so - I was called a Rockstar when she was ripping at Mammoth ), I'm wondering about some psychological factor and possible discouragement. She has had in the past, a complex of being so much smaller than her classmates. She mentioned that she wanted to race K2, but it's a big step.
The amount of skiing and races. I believe I heard the number of races was 12. I'm also concern that this might be too much. Too much for her AND for me. I've always believe in the more free skiing (not necessarily at the small locals) the better. I've seen so many racers that raced from a young age to University. A good number of them were burned out and couldn't ski if it wasn't for gates and had little enjoyment in the sport. Although I started skiing at 3-4 (she started at 2), I've never really raced until reaches and had a long career in university. lol.
The selfish part of me will say that I'll be stuck skiing local hills more than ever, oh well. The ideal part is to get her part of a race program at a real mountain, but that isn't going to happen. That's life.
Help... that is all!!!
. Morgane has 2 parents and they should share in the sacrifices to make this possible. It's not just ski racing. As kids get older their extracurricular activities inevitably result in more logistics demands. As the one who is always pushing him to make western trips, I'll say in this case that's not the most economical way for Patrick to maintain ski quality. The best way, and it will also reduce other "kitchen" conflicts, is to get a cheap second ski vehicle. So then Patrick can score the best of eastern skiing on short notice without stranding a wife and kids at home with no car. If I were in Patrick's shoes, I'd want the second car as a condition for moving forward with the race plan.
