Wanaka, New Zealand (Wednesday, May 14, 2003) - Cardrona Alpine Resort is supporting the sport of free skiing from the grass roots up by extending its Southern Alps Skiers (SAS) program to start from six years old.

The unique SAS program provides free ski coaching to youngsters who don’t want to go down the traditional race-training path. The program gives the younger participants confidence in all areas of the mountain on terrain that is ideal for technical training at that age. The more advanced skiers gain valuable competitive coaching and experience.

“Free skiing is a major growth area in competitive skiing throughout the rest of the world but it remains relatively small here in New Zealand because there has been no junior development. In the past, the only training on offer to kids has been through race gates,” said head coach, Peter Legnavsky. “The SAS program is about maximizing their enjoyment of the whole mountain and developing their all-mountain riding skills. The training is varied and fun as well as challenging and develops great adaptability.”

The development program (6-14 year olds) is aimed at those who are progressing their skill base either just for fun or as a pathway towards competition, training one to two days a week, focusing on their technique in a variety of conditions and terrain.

Once they reach a certain level they have two options - to take the race training route or progress on to the SAS elite squad (12-18 year olds). This provides training three days a week and introduces aerial awareness to the youngsters. This is done through trampoline work and ensures that when they hit the terrain park or tackle jumps they are able to do so safely.

“By providing these juniors with specialized training, they have a huge advantage over others in their age group. Those in the elite squad tour the South Island getting competition experience and then head to the X-Games in Ruapehu at the end of the season,” said Legnavsky.

The SAS programs starts on July 5th for eleven weeks and costs from NZ$895.