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General | Team Reports
USA Hoping for Step-Up in 2002 - October 2001
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Christer Skog was the Australian coach from 1995-1998, and since then he has been with the USA ski team. This interview with Christer by Hakan Degselius in September 2001 was translated with permission from the www.skidsport.com website.
Hello Christer Skog, how are things?
They're good, I travel to Park City on Friday for a 14-day altitude camp where we will join in training with the Norwegian women and Canadian team. We'll also do some tests directed towards sprint training.
Half a year to the Winter Olympics on home ground, how are things looking in the American team?
Very good. Marcus Nash is on his way back from sickness and injury (testicle cancer and dislocated shoulder). Nina Kempel and Wendy Wagner have trained unbelievably well this summer and have been up on Eagle Glacier in Alaska three times. We have concentrated more on strength this year than previously and it shall be exciting if it gives results. Both two are concentrating on long classic distances.
Carl Swenson is a professional cyclist and comes to his first training camp with us now in September. I don't know yet how he stands now, but he is an incredible sportsman and he can surprise in freestyle this year. Toorin Koos our best sprinter has moved to Park City and trains there full-time, he hasn't competed so much in running this year but has still run 800m in 1.51 at 1600m altitude.
Hopes for the Winter Olympics?
The goal, which we setup in 1998, was to have one skier amongst the top 10 at the Winter Olympics. We have the whole time achieved the forward steps, which we planned so it is looking good.
And we have now several advantages, home ground, and altitude, which we are familiar with and are not afraid of. Plus we don't have the normal problem of time adjustment.
How are you preparing your training considering that it is an altitude championship?
Five of the six skiers live at the same height as Soldier Hollow, the other simulates the same height for certain periods, and we also have training camps once per month. We are at altitude from November to the February, which gives us at least 100 days of acclimatising before the Winter Olympics. That means we won't go to Scandinavia for the first tour races- we start [the World Cup] in Cogne. We have also specialised our skiers so that they only ski in the World Cup in the disciplines they focus on for the Olympics.
Which skiers will be dangerous?
Nina and Wendy in the 30km Classic; Toorin and Carl in the sprint; Justin, Carl and Marcus in the 30km Free.
What do you wish most for now?
That FIS bites the bullet and decides that they will use the EPO tests in World Cup competition. If they don't do it now then FIS and the sport of skiing will lose their credibility and interest.
Thanks very much.
Thanks the same.
XC is the official website of the Skiing Australia Cross Country Committee. It is produced with the assistance of the Australian Sports Commission, and the Kangaroo Hoppet. The editor can be contacted via info@hoppet.com.au.