Cross-Country Coaches Gain Valuable Insights at Val di Fiemme Education Camp

In the picturesque setting of Val di Fiemme, coaches from fourteen nations recently converged for a four-day immersive education camp aimed at enhancing their coaching skills in cross-country skiing. From May 8th to May 12th, the camp provided a platform for theoretical lectures and practical sessions, fostering knowledge exchange and skill refinement among the participants.

Theoretical Sessions

The educational journey commenced with a series of intensive theoretical sessions, totaling approximately 16 hours of lectures. Renowned experts delved into various facets of coaching, offering invaluable insights to the attentive coaches.

Para Nordic Skis Insights

Led by Ralf Rombach, head coach of the GER Para-Nordic Team, coaches gained a comprehensive understanding of Para Nordic skiing, with a special focus on visually impaired (VI) athletes.

Understanding Female Physiology

Virginia De Martin from NTNU Medicine and Health Science, Trondheim, NOR, elucidated the basics of female physiology, equipping coaches with crucial knowledge for training female athletes effectively.

Navigating Female Puberty

Professor Guro Strøm Solli shed light on the distinct developmental processes of female cross-country skiers, providing practical guidance for coaches to support their athletes through puberty.

Combatting Eating Disorders

Professor Therese Fostervold Mathisen delivered an insightful lecture on eating disorders, offering real-life examples and strategies to address these challenges within the sporting context.

Optimizing Training for Young Athletes

Matteo Betta, coach of the ITA Junior XC Team, shared valuable insights on training organization for U14/U16 athletes, emphasizing the importance of structured and goal-oriented training regimes.

Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD)

Paolo Rivero, Youth Technical Director of the ITA XC Team, introduced coaches to the principles of LTAD, based on seminal studies by J. Côté from CAN, aiming to foster holistic athlete development.

Practical Sessions

Complementing the theoretical discourse, coaches actively engaged in practical sessions to refine their coaching methodologies and enhance their understanding of athlete needs.

Visual Impaired Training

Under the guidance of expert Ralf Rombach, coaches experienced firsthand the challenges faced by visually impaired athletes, using special glasses to simulate their visual perspective and adapt coaching strategies accordingly.

Skiing Technique Enhancement

Led by Alessio Giancola and Lara Peyrot, coaches delved into skiing techniques through sessions on classic and skating styles. Through practical exercises and group work, coaches honed their ability to identify technical errors and devise corrective measures.

The Val di Fiemme education camp proved to be a melting pot of knowledge and expertise, fostering international collaboration and skill enhancement among participating coaches. Armed with newfound insights and practical skills, these coaches are poised to make a meaningful impact on the development of cross-country skiing in their respective nations.