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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center

  • As IBU Gears Up for North American Tour, Bø and Wierer Currently Top Standings

    As IBU Gears Up for North American Tour, Bø and Wierer Currently Top Standings

    Johannes Thingnes Bø of Norway has dominated the win column. So far this season, he has 12 victories to his name and leads the IBU men’s overall standings. (Photo: biathonworld.com)

    With six of the nine stops on the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup circuit complete, IBU athletes will take a brief hiatus from Europe this February and venture across the Atlantic for a race tour in North America.

    The first stop for biathletes, coaches and fans will be Canmore, Albert. Canada–the last World Cup races having taken place there in 2016. Following Canmore, the IBU will head for U.S. soil: The Soldier Hollow Nordic Center (SoHo) in Midway, Utah. The 2019 IBU World Cup races will be the first major biathlon event held at the SoHo venue since the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games.

    With 15 competitions already in the bag this season, the men’s IBU World Cup is currently led by Norwegian Johannes Thinges Bø, who has accumulated a total of 836 points for the coveted top-dog position.

    Bø kicked off his World Cup season with back-to-back wins in Pokljuka, Slovenia, claiming first in the IBU’s opening sprint and then winning the following day’s pursuit. (He placed seventh in the men’s individual 20 k that weekend). In Hochfilzen, Austria, the 25 year old won the sprint before placing ninth in the next day’s pursuit. In Nové Město, Czech Republic he completed a hat trick win, sweeping the sprint, pursuit and mass start.

    He dropped a position in the Oberhof, Germany sprint, finishing second, only to reclaim his position at the top in the pursuit. Ruhpolding, Germany once again found him with a triple win: in the men’s relay, one in the sprint and one in the mass start.

    Johannes Thingnes Bø scored his 10th IBU World Cup win of the season in the 10 k sprint in Antholz, Italy. (Photo: biathlon world.com screenshot)

    By the time he competed in Antholz, Italy–the final European destination before the North IBU’s American tour–Bø had accumulated two more wins and one second place. All told, the Norwegian has won 12 of the 16 IBU World Cup competitions he has entered this season and missed the podium twice.

    Following Bø on the the men’s IBU World Cup Top 3 this season is France’s Martin Fourcade in second place with 554 points. Fourcade was the overall leader last season, ahead of Bø who was second. This year, Fourcade is currently trailing Bø by 288 points. At the age of 30, Fourcade has accrued a grand total of 76 individual victories over the course of his career, while Bø, five years younger than Fourcade, has 33. Third in the 2018/2019 IBU World Cup overall standings is Russian Alexander Loginov with 548 points.

    Scoring 183 points and ranked 28th in the overall, Canada’s Christian Gow currently leads the North American men on the IBU World Cup. Gow opened his season with three Top 20 finishes in Pokljuka, placing 16th in the individual, 17th in the sprint and 14th in the pursuit. He had a career best finish in the Ruhpolding mass start, racing to 11th place. Altogether, Gow has finished in the Top 30 11 times this year.  

    Behind Gow, American Sean Doherty is ranked 37th and Canadian Scott Gow, Christian Gow’s brother, is 47th. Leif Nordgren and Jake Brown of the U.S. are ranked  57th and 88th respectively, while Canada’s Jules Burnotte currently sits in 73rd.

    Norway’s Marte Olsbu Røiseland out skiing Italy’s Dorothea Wierer on Satrday’s 10 k pursuit in Nové Město, Czech Republic. (Photo: biathlonworld.com)

    On the women’s side, Italy’s Dorothea Wierer is the woman to watch–or watch out for–thus far this season, currently ranked first in the overall standings with 632 points. The 28-year-old-Wierer earned three victories this season, winning the Hochfilzen sprint and relay then later the Antholz pursuit. Including those wins, Wierer has landed on the podium six times during the 2018/2019 IBU World Cup race year. Last season, Wierer finished fifth in the overall standings.

    The Italian women have proven themselves in good form this year with Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi taking up second in the standings behind Wierer with 598 points. At 23-years-of-age, Vittozzi earned the first wins of her career this season, claiming first in the Oberhof sprint and pursuit.

    Behind the Italians, Norway’s Marte Olsbu Røiseland is presently ranked third in the standings with 508 points.  

    Team USA’s Clare Egan has had a banner IBU World Cup race season, ranked 22nd at present with 258 points. Egan’s World Cup success this season began in Pokljuka where she had a career best sixth place finish in the women’s pursuit.

    Clare Egan during her second shooting stage in Oberhof’s sprint on Thursday. (Photo: NBC Gold screenshot)

    “I am frankly amazed with my skiing,” the 31 year old Egan had written in an email to FasterSkier after the Pokljuka race weekend. “I knew I was in great shape, but this week my ski times were 11, 6 and today 1st. I think small changes and improvements in my training are coming together to make this big difference. The most important factor in my performance is our new women’s coach, Armin Auchentaller. He is the right coach for me.”

    Following her sixth place, Egan has had 11 Top 30 performances this season, three of those coming from relays, the rest individual. Egan, who began competing in the sport six years ago, made a visibly large jump season, having finished last year’s overall standings ranked 63rd.

    Susan Dunklee is the next highest ranked North American woman in 31st (154 points). Over the course of her biathlon career, Dunklee has accumulated 5 IBU World Cup podiums and one silver World Championships medal, though her top performance this season was seventh in the Oberhof pursuit.

    Canada’s Rosanna Crawford is ranked 53rd, Sarah Beaudry 57th, Emma Lunder 58th, and Megan Bankes 73rd. A third American, Joanne Reid, is currently 55th.  

  • Soldier Hollow Nordic Center Seeks Development Coach and Nordic Center Supervisor

    Soldier Hollow Nordic Center Seeks Development Coach and Nordic Center Supervisor

    (Job posting)

    Soldier Hollow Nordic Center (Midway, UT) is in search of coaches for the 2018-19 season. We are looking for individuals to work with Team Soldier Hollow Development athletes (ages 10+) and someone to both coach and supervise Nordic Center operations. These are year-round positions beginning May or June. We have both full- and part-time positions to fill. Please see the general job descriptions below, and visit www.utaholympiclegacy.org/careers/ to see full job descriptions and apply. Contact Nordic Manager and Head Coach Sara Studebaker-Hall (shall@uolf.org 435-709-3467) with any questions.

    Nordic Center Supervisor/Development Coach

    Overview

    The primary role of the Nordic Center Supervisor is to manage all daily operations of the Center. Outreach, marketing and organization skills, as well as a long-term vision are important. Ability to multi-task and oversee several programs are crucial. This person should be comfortable coaching all ages and working with Nordic Manager to increase public awareness and accessibility. This position reports to the Nordic Manager.

    Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Accountability

    • Manage rental shop, including staff hiring, scheduling and retail and rental fleet management
    • Scheduling and outreach for youth group ski sessions
    • Assist with management and staffing of Kickers and Gliders youth program
    • Teach skiing to the general public, school groups, youth groups
    • Maintain excellent customer service while interacting with public, coaches and athletes
    • Assist coaching of Team Soldier Hollow training as assigned, including occasional training planning
    • Supervise youth ski groups and ensure safety procedures are followed
    • Other duties as assigned

    Required Knowledge and Essential Skills

    • Must be able to cross-country ski at a minimum of intermediate level
    • Able to instruct groups and individuals while skiing, both adults and children
    • Excellent customer service skills with friendly outgoing communication style
    • Basic first aid and CPR certification (can be obtained in-house)
    • Must enjoy working in a team environment
    • Self-starter attitude. Ability to see problems and tasks and complete them without supervision
    • Willing to be flexible and complete additional tasks as needed. This position reports to two different departments (Public Skiing and Team Soldier Hollow) so must be able to divide up duties each day.

    Minimum Qualifications

    • Experience with Nordic Center operations or equivalent professional experience
    • US Ski & snowboard Level 100 Coaching Certification recommended, but not required
    • Flexible work schedule – must be available to work days, evenings, weekends and holidays

    Development Coach

    Overview

    The primary role of the Development team Coach is to implement and assist in managing all aspects of the Devo and Devo Plus Team/program. Understand and apply Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) philosophy to Development athletic plans. Support the vision and mission of the UAF, Fulfill the goals and plans of the Nordic club and work with other departments and UAF staff as necessary. The position reports to the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center Nordic Manager.

    Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Accountability

    • Aid in development and implement a clear and specific athletic training plan/curriculum for Development Team. Curriculum will include but not limited to: year plan, technical training, fitness training, waxing techniques, goal setting, mental training, nutrition, physical testing, equipment selection, and competition planning.
    • Run the day-to-day operation of the Devo and Devo Plus programs
    • Assist Development athletes with competition preparation: planning, rule changes, equipment checks, and logistics of the competition.
    • Assist Program Manager in future development of program.
    • Be available to meet and communicate with parents at the beginning and end of each training session
    • Communicate accident/injury information to head coach/ program manager
    • Help arrange and manage travel logistics for Development team. This includes, but not limited to, ticketing, lodging, meals, transportation. Communicate to program manager costs and to parents when payment is due.
    • Assist with Sport/Public/Marketing events as necessary
    • Assist with the organization of competitions at Soldier Hollow
    • Coach Kickers and Gliders and Charter School programs as asked/available.

    Required Knowledge and Essential Skills

    • Excellent organizational, coordination, oral and written skills.
    • Proactive and positive attitude, and able to work independently.
    • Must work well in a team environment with the ability to lead.
    • Proficiency with PC applications and Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point.
    • Valid driver’s license.
    • Minimum of 18 years of age.
    • Flexible work schedule.

    Minimum Qualifications

    • Coaching experience that is applicable to the sport of cross country skiing.
    • USSA Level 100 certification preferred.
    • Must have current USSA Coach License
    • Must be available 7 days a week (including weekends, evenings, and holidays as necessary).
    • Safe Sport certified
    • Concussion certified
  • Soldier Hollow Seeking Year-Round Head Coach

    Soldier Hollow Seeking Year-Round Head Coach

    Soldier Hollow Nordic Center

    Soldier Hollow is seeking to hire a year-round Head Coach to oversee Team Soldier Hollow, a club program serving youth skiers in Midway & Heber Valley, Utah. Team Soldier Hollow is based out of the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Nordic Venue and offers youth programs from the entry level Youth League, to the Development and Competition Teams.

    The position involves overseeing the skiing program, instruction & support of coaches at all levels, offering year-round coaching and support to all Comp Team athletes, including making training plans, and practices 4-6 days per week. Additionally, the position involves organizing and leading a few training camp trips in the summer/fall, as well as all Junior National qualifiers trips around the IMD USSA region.

    Duties include:

    • Conduct safe, fun and developmentally appropriate practices for the Comp Team (high school age athletes)
    • Write and execute training plans for the Comp Team athletes
    • Work with parent volunteers and assistant coaches who will assist in practices and at races
    • Communicate effectively with athletes and families by email, phone and via website regarding schedule and upcoming events
    • Plan and attend out of town races, camps and overnight trips with the Comp and Devo Teams
    • Provide race support including waxing at races
    • Assist in hosting events at Soldier Hollow year-round, and other supportive roles that won’t interfere with primary coaching responsibilities
    • Assist in Team Soldier Hollow fundraisers over the course of the season

    Ideal candidate will have junior & collegiate (or better) ski racing experience. Previous coaching experience is desired but not required. USSA coaches license & Level 100 coaches certification is required before the start of the ski season.

    Please contact Soldier Hollow Sport Programs Director, Scott Peterson for any questions or more information at 435-640-3084 or scott.peterson@soldierhollow.com