Park City, UT (Saturday, July 13, 2002) - U.S. nordic combined skiers beat the heat scorching the American West – at least a bit – with jump training that's early and occasional cross country training at dusk.

With Utah coping with temperatures routinely in the 90s in Park City (and 100-plus in Salt Lake City), new Head Coach Bard Jorgen Elden and his staff keep an eye on their athletes at Utah Olympic Park or during roller-skiing in Park City or at Soldier hollow, the Olympic cross country venue about 20 minutes east of Park City.

"We've been jumping about five days a week," two-time Olympian Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO) said Saturday after session that ended before noon. "With the new residency program in Park City, we've been able to get more jumping in; it's been more efficient than driving over here from Steamboat [for jumping training] like we've done until now.

"At this point last season, I think I'd had one day off and now I've had three days off and already had more jumps. It’s been working out pretty swell for us."

Bill Demong (Vermontville, NY), who won his first World Cup last season, shortly before competing in his second Olympics, said the split sessions help keep a handle on the searing heat. "The heat makes it tough, no question," he said, "so we try to get training early and late. A lot of days we've done our endurance training from 5:30 or 6 p.m. until dark because it's cooler.

"We also are very conscious of hydration. We really monitor our fluid loss and intake."

Corby Fisher, the squad's new jumping coach, said he's been pleased with the athletes' response and their determination to get a handle on the new takeoff technique he's been getting them to use. "We're right where I want to be…building now and being ready when we start the season. These guys are working hard, and we want to take this enthusiasm into the winter." He said the team will have occasional double jump sessions, too.

The Ski Team has held one training camp in Norway – the camp followed Elden's wedding – and will head to Alaska later in the summer for additional on-snow training. Meanwhile, the group will continue its daily training in Utah.