Sarah
Richardson
It
took me awhile and quite a bit of reflection to choose a single turning point in
my skiing and ski teaching career. There have been so many people, experiences,
and opportunities intersecting my journey.
At
the time of my full cert exam I had run very few gates. They were a required
element at that time, so I could not completely escape them. The few times I
ventured between those red and blue poles were under duress and terrified me. I
wasn’t comfortable with speed or having turns dictated to me. However, my
hesitation and complete dislike was about to disappear.
In
the spring I had my first opportunity to attend a Tech Team race camp at Mt.
Bachelor. By the end of the week, thanks to the gentle coaxing of the coaches, I
was completely hooked.
Attending
camp again in July was the beginning of a long love affair with ski racing and
summer training. It became such a passion that I begged and pleaded my way into
a job with Timberline’s Summer Ski Race Camp, which turned into eight summers
of tremendous learning opportunities. During this time I learned heaps about
teaching and coaching, shared the hill with some of the best skiers in the
world, and improved my own skiing with every day and every drill.
I
know none of this would have been possible without the 5 days I spent with Paul
Norum at Tech Team camp that first July after I passed my full cert. Paul was
the first person I can remember who focused primarily on tactics in my skiing
skills. It not only changed my ability and confidence in the gates, but also
greatly improved my free skiing in all terrain and conditions.
It
was simple, as most great coaching is. We had been running a GS course most of
the morning and the course had developed ruts. All of us were becoming more
defensive in our technical movements, visibly losing confidence, and not
allowing our skis to run.
Much
to our dismay, Paul would not allow the crew to re-set and smooth the course.
Instead he focused on our tactical approach to the ruts “enter high and exit
early”. Those simple words transformed my skiing. I not only felt comfortable,
even exhilarated skiing the ruts, it affected my technical approach as well. I
moved and directed my feet more actively, managed pressure more effectively, and
balanced with the new edge much earlier in the arc. This was the moment running
gates became a blast and I glimpsed the possibilities in my own abilities. What
I learned in those 5 days at the Tech Team camp is still very present today.
The
opportunity to run gates has made me a better free skier, demonstrator,
technician, teacher and coach. On that day I understood perhaps for the first
time what it meant to move down the hill. I became a more dynamic responsive
skier. Tactics continue to teach me. I believe I have become a tactical teacher
myself, utilizing line, timing etc. to help my students elevate their own
skills. I think about it all the time, in all kinds of terrain and conditions. I
still get anxious, but tactics help me to focus that nervous energy.
I
am grateful to have this opportunity to recognize Paul Norum for his exceptional
coaching and encouragement. His expertise and passion continue to inspire me.
Believe me I rarely run a rutted course without hearing his words … So
wherever you are, thanks Paul.
(editors
note: Sarah has recently returned
to the NW after several years in Colorado, and is one of the newest members of
the NW Tech Team. Paul Norum was
last seen sailing into the sunset - literally -
with his wife Becky.)