AUSXC WORLD JUNIOR/U23 TOUR 2017-18The AUSXC Junior/ U23 Tour for 2017/18 is designed both for athletes aiming to race at the 2018 Junior & U23 World Championships and athletes building towards future international events. Athletes born 2001 or earlier will be invited to join the team, which will be based predominantly in Davos, Switzerland. Daily training and living arrangements will be managed by Australian coaches, with sessions also coordinated with local Swiss coaches and athletes. OPA Cup and Swiss Championship competitions will be used for Junior / U23 World Championship preparation and targeted events for younger athletes.

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Davos, switzerlanD

Casey Wright2017 U23 ChampionshipsClassic Sprint Finals

Liam Burton2017 World Junior Championships10km Freestyle

PROGRAM AIMSThe specific athletic aims of the trip are:

1. Prepare athletes to compete at the Junior / U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland.

2. Gain international training and competition experience.

3. Make technical gains in classic and skating technique.

4. Educate athletes and foster a professional attitude towards XC ski racing.

5. Create positive living environments and build cohesive team relationships.

PROGRAM DATES• Arrive in Davos: December 18

• Training in Davos, Switzerland: December 18 to January 19 (note race dates below)

• OPA Cup, Campra: January 5-7

• Swiss Championships, Steg: January 13/14

• Departure for Australia for athletes not competing at the WJC: ~ January 19-20

• Final WJC-U23 Preparation, location TBC: January 20-26

• World Junior/U23 Championship in Goms, Switzerland: January 27 – February 3

• Departure for Australia or own program: February 4

* WJC/U23 A-qualified athletes may be able to arrive in Davos earlier.

LOCATIONDavos is the home town of AUSXC Head Coach Valerio Leccardi and a regular destination for Australian Team athletes over many years, particularly in December. Davos has reliable snow, extensive trails, and is also the home of Switzerland’s primary Sport Gymnasium for Winter Sport. Davos is approximately two hours by car from Zurich airport, and also accessible via train with changes at Zurich Central and Landquart.

FACILITIESDaily training will take place on the Davos ski trails, which are within walking distance of everywhere in Davos. Access to gym facilities will be arranged either through the Sport Gymnasium or Davos Nordic.

COACHES/ SUPPORT STAFFThe head coach and team manager for this tour are Robert Jones and Imogen Blanch. Rob led the Australian Team to the 2017 WJC/U23 in the USA, and also coached with the Australian Team at the 2017 World Championship in Finland and the 2016 World Junior Championship in Romania.

Imogen is a past Australian Team athlete who spent the entire winter at the Ski-Gymnasium in Davos in 2008/2009 and another year living/working in Switzerland in 2011, and also coached rowing at Canberra Girls Grammar for 5 years.

The team will also by coached by Head Coach Valerio Leccardi in Davos during periods when the World Cup Team is not away at events. If they haven’t already worked with Valerio at the Falls Creek

National Training Centre this year, new athletes to the team will have the chance to meet Valerio during Spring training camps. Additional coaches/techs for the FIS events in Switzerland and the WJC/U23 will be confirmed.

ACCOM & MEALSThe team will be staying in two apartments in Davos Dorf, with self-catering under the coordination of team coaches. There is also provision for overflow accommodation at the Solaria Apartments, depending on the number of athletes. When travelling to competitions full-board will be provided in hotel style accommodation. The cost of food is included in the tour fee.

TRANSPORTFlights will be coordinated by SSA XC program staff, with all flight expenses to be paid directly by the athletes and their families. Land transport will be coordinated by team coaches and included in the tour fee.

WHO CAN ATTEND?This tour is predominantly for members of the Australian Junior and U23 Teams, with a minimum age

of 16 at the end of 2017 (born in 2001 or earlier). With the endorsement of the tour head coach, non-team members will be invited to join the tour if they are of a sufficient standard to participate fully in the training and racing program and if deemed likely to make a positive contribution to the team dynamics. Additional performance criteria (A and B standards) apply for selection to the 2017 World Junior-U23 Championships.

REQUIREMENTSAll athletes wishing to take part in the 2017/2018 Junior / U23 Tour will need to formally apply, including providing details of their training history, their goals for the 2017/2018 season, and a summary of their skiing strengths & weaknesses. The application process will be communicated to all eligible athletes.

All athletes will need to read and sign SSA’s Athlete Agreement for training camps and tours. Physical/medical screening is also mandatory requirements and will be coordinated via National Team medical staff.

INSURANCE & REGOInsurance covering cross country skiing competition is mandatory and can be obtained via Justine Couper:

couper.justine@gmail.com

UNIFORMAthletes should bring national team race suits and warm-up clothing if they have it. Additional team casual uniform is also in the pipeline. Any athletes needing a warm outerwear jacket should contact program staff

PROGRAM FEESThe estimated total athlete expenses for the tour is $5,000 for the period Dec 18 - Jan 20 with an additional $3,000 for the WJC/U23. A deposit of $1,000 will be required by September 24. The final athlete fee will be dependent on funds raised via the XC Towards 2018 project, which has a component set up for donations for the World Junior/U23 Championship. The next major fundraising activity for the team is the AUSXC Cocktail Night, which will take place in Melbourne on Friday October 13.

The tour fee includes the following:

• Coaching

• Management & Supervision

• Accommodation

• Food (excluding personal snack food)

• Land Transport

• Waxing

• Trail fees and race entry fees

This excludes flights and travel insurance, which should be paid directly by the athletes and their families.

An additional 2% applies to payments via credit card or via the online system. To avoid this fee it is possible to pay to SSA via direct debit, indication the athlete name and AUSXC JUNU23 on the transaction description.

COMPETITIONSSee last page for preliminary competition schedule.

OTHER INFORMATION

Any other relevant information will be distributed directly to the registered participants.

CONTACTSteam coach - robert Jones

Phone: 0452 117 253

Email: ski.rvjones@gmail.com

team manager – imogen blanch

Phone: 0439 965 223

Email: imogen.blanch@gmail.com

ssaXc Program Director – Finn marslanD

Phone: 0408 147940

Email: fmarsland@skiandsnowboard.org.au

ssaXc heaD coach – valerio leccarDi

Phone: 0490 497 101

Email: vleccardi@skiandsnowboard.org.au

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Members of the Australian Junior Team

Wax Techs working hard at the 2017 US Nationals

COMPETITIONSPreParation PerioD

Date Location Race Type

TBC Local Comp. TBC

TBC Local Comp. TBC

5/01/17 Campra, SUI Sprint F

6/01/17 Campra, SUI 20/30km Mass Start C

7/01/17 Campra, SUI Sprint F

13/01/17 Steg, SUI Sprint C

14/01/17 Steg, SUI 5/10km F

worlD Junior / u23 chamPionshiP

Date Race Type

28/01/17 Sprint F - WJC

29/01/17 Sprint F - U23

30/01/17 5/10km C - WJC

31/01/17 10/15km C - U23

1/02/17 10/20km Skiathlon - WJC

2/02/17 15/30km Skiathlon - U23

3/02/17 Relays - WJC