1. AOA U16 Report Graeme Buckrell & Heather Metzger
May 6th, 2018 Caledon Ski Club

2. U16 Review Programming Overview
1 - BLOCK RACING WITH 2 PROVINCIAL SERIES - MID WINTER AND FINALS
Bringing all athletes together from across the province
Prepare for FIS racing format
Create training blocks
Provide mechanism for Provincial selection to major events
2 - EXTEND SEASON FOR MORE ATHLETES
Schedule Finals as late as possible - Calabogie – March 24-28
Tier spring racing opportunities so more athletes have access to major events
3 - CREATE A EUROPEAN RACE PROJECT
Barcelonnette, France March – 8 athletes
4 - IMPROVE RESULTS AT U16 NATIONALS
3 day prep camp in advance of event
Mid winter series for selection to capture top athletes and provide access to venues, increase competition level

3. U16 Review Competition Highlights
U16 Nationals March 6-10
Ontario athlete’s results were encouraging and showed improvement from the 2017 event. We need to further develop strong skiing fundamentals to create more balanced and stable athletes to improve consistency and rate of finish.
Barcelonette, France March 17-27
The event was spectacular with excellent weather, conditions and provided an epic experience to the athletes (and coaches) The team arrived a couple days early to adapt to time change, get orientated, and do some training and free skiing. Athletes achieved excellent results with many podiums.
OCUP Finals March 19-24
This was another excellent quality event – stellar conditions and very well run/organized races. The decision to schedule this after March break was to extend the season for as many athletes as possible – we know that training attendance falls off dramatically once races end.

4. U16 Review Competition Highlights
Can Am April 2-5
Ontario had some exceptional individual performances and provided confirmation for the focus forward on fundamentals to improve balance, stability to result in better consistency.
Whistler Cup April 12-15
Ontario sent 2 athletes with ACA Team Canada – the athletes were selected by ACA from the U16 Nationals. The athletes spent 3 days training, team building and having athletic information sessions followed by 4 days of racing. Mack Wood achieved some 2 top 10 results in GS and SL, unfortunately Ashley Campbell suffered a concussion in the GS and was unable to race other events.

5. U16 Review Looking Forward
CANADA GAMES 7M/7 F - create selection process, determine if this will be in place of or in addition to Nationals
EUROPE PROJECT – secure Val D’Isere (historically scheduled first week of April)
HPP in season training plan – more regular training bring top athletes together
Priority on strengthening fundamentals to improve consistency
End of season open Ontario event (mid April) to keep athletes training and engaged longer
Continue to prioritize extending season for Ontario athletes
Continue with block racing
OCUP finals in SOD – location of mid winter must be determined

6. 2018 U16 High Performance Program
Testing at York U - April 21
Training Weekend – Kilcoo May 11-13
Team building, athletic Educational seminars – mental training, recovery techniques, challenge and personal growth, implementation of fitness program, goal setting
On Snow Camp 1 – Whistler June 27 – July 6 (approx 28 athletes)
Slalom and skills on snow focus, multi sport training, fitness education, provide exposure to strong FIS athletes
Fitness Camp – (optional) July 8 – 13
On Snow Camp 2 – El Colorado Chile August (28 athletes)
Strengthening Fundamentals, large focus on free ski, skill focus in SL,GS and SG, training opportunities with U19 HPP athletes for those that will benefit, on Hill support from AOA Athletic Director Kip Harrington, educational component – Grade 10 credit – Careers & Civics, educational athletic sessions
Training Weekend – September – Collingwood
Athletic Educational seminars – mental training, recovery techniques, challenge and personal growth, in season fitness program education, fitness testing and challenges, goal setting and wrap up, FUN
FALL TESTING – October