Comp Team, 2010-2011
Age: High School, J2-OJ (Born 1991-96)
Programs Available:
J1 and OJ (born 1991-94) Year-Round: 5/19 - April
Early payment special $1,850 by 5/1,
or four installments of $500 (5/15, 8/15, 11/15, 2/15)
J2 (born 1995-6) Year-Round less 8 weeks:
Early payment special $1,500 by 5/1,
or four installments of $400 (5/15, 8/15, 11/15, 2/15)
College Athletes:
Summer: 5/19 – August
$475 at or before first practice or two installments of $250 (5/19, 7/15)
Fall/Winter: September – April
$900 at or before first practice or four installments of $250 (9/1, 11/1,
1/1, 3/1)
XC’s Comp Group provides the coaching and support for high school skiers to reach their goals in cross-country skiing, whether those goals are making the state team, qualifying for junior nationals or success at the international level.
The program is built around regular, coach-monitored, group training sessions in and around Fairbanks. Training times are flexible, and we take into consideration athletes’ school, work and other commitments in our planning. In addition, each athlete is given a training program to guide them through ‘OYO’ (On-Your-Own) workouts. These plans are taken from a common mold and then adjusted to the considerations of each athlete, including their goals, individual strengths and weaknesses, work, school, and other sport commitments. Progress is monitored throughout the year through a series of tests and time trials. Training is reviewed and discussed on a regular basis.
All training takes place in a hard-working, yet fun and light-hearted, environment that emphasizes patience and a commitment to the big picture in both the athletic and personal development.
J2s. J2 skiers (those born in 1995-6) are at a transitional stage of their athletic development – ready for a greater challenge, but not quite ready for what their counterparts a couple years older can handle. Our goal with this age group is to create an appropriate stage between our Devo program and a full commitment to the Comp Team and to offer as much flexibility as possible in their training regimen. Our main program for this group has them training with the Comp group for much of the year, but requires them to select an 8-week period when they will take a break from ski-directed training to pursue other athletic activities. For many, this coincides well with the fall cross-country season. This allows them to transition from 7 months of ski specific training as part of the Devo Team, to 9 months as a J2, to 11 months as a J1 and older athlete.
To provide J2s greater flexibility, we allow those J2s entering high school to train with the Devo Team over the summer before transitioning to high school and Comp Team training in the fall. Because the Devo program does not train specifically for skiing in the summer, athletes following this track are not required to select an 8-week period for a break.
College Athletes. Through the Comp Team, FXC offers an option for those college students who want coaching while working toward a spot on the UAF team, as well as for those who simply want to continue skiing and racing. From November to February when the High School skiers are training principally with their school teams, college skiers are given training schedules to follow on their own time. Because college students can be busy during scheduled training times, we offer them a special reduced rate for training.
High School Relationship. We view the development of athletes in FXC as a cooperative effort between club and school. We communicate openly and regularly with the high school coaches in order to make an athlete’s transition between the two programs as seamless as possible. Additionally, FXC’s head coach regularly attends and helps out at the high school practices, providing an easy and regular conduit for communication between athlete, high school coach and club coach.
Ski Service. FXC provides race support at Besh Cups, Sr. Nationals and various other events throughout the winter. This includes wax testing and application at the event as well as help with ski selection, stonegrinding and kick pocket analysis prior to races.
Trips and Camps. Typically we offer two training camps during the year – one during the summer, and one over Christmas break in the winter. Not only are these great opportunities for training, but also they can be the most enjoyable and valuable events afforded from membership in a year-round ski program. FXC members get first priority and discounted fees for the camps.
Roller Skis. Roller skiing is an essential part of dryland training for the Comp group. While we have some extra pairs, it is strongly recommended that each Comp Team athlete obtains their own pair of roller skis. We are typically able to arrange for a discount for program members looking to buy roller skis. Please be in touch if you are planning to buy roller skis so we can figure out the details and direct you to a pair that will suit your training. Also, all members should purchase roller ski tips for their poles.
Heart Rate Monitors. A heart rate monitor is a fantastic tool for monitoring aerobic training, and we encourage all Comp Team athletes to obtain one. A simple model from a reputable manufacturer (we have had the best luck with Polar) can add a lot to one’s training.
Lactate Testing. While external indicators (heart rate, respiration rate, feel, etc.) are quite valuable for monitoring training, there is sometimes a shadow of doubt that hangs over these gauges due to individual variations and interpretations. We use lactate testing to help clarify some of these questions. Athletes can complete a treadmill protocol three times throughout the year to monitor fitness and adjust heart rate training zones. In addition, we perform spot testing during workouts in the field to further calibrate those zones.
Training Calendar. For an idea of when, where and how frequently we meet, please consult past schedules below.