GRIND – Racer Development (GRD)

GRD has a strong focus on young athletes' (U10-U16) development pathway in alpine ski racing. The programme goal is providing athletes with safety and more individual independence, technical, tactical, physical and mental strength.

Also, it promotes very much strong self-belief and perseverance in order to achieve desired goals in ski racing and life. To accomplish the above, we all must have fun in doing so.

Philosophy

Early specialization = Big stagnation

Timely specialization = Big progression

Vision

Developing future champions in alpine ski racing as well as building strong character individuals for lifetime

Base location

Leogang ski resort, Salzburg Region, Austria

Closest international airport is Munich International Airport in Germany, only 2.5 hrs. away from our training location and village of Leogang

+ Technical

Stance, balance, steering, edging, pressure control

+ Tactical

Different turn shape and size adjusted to type of terrain and snow conditions, course inspection, line, etc.

+ Speed

Feeling confident and comfortable with speed in various terrain and race events

+ Physica

Mobility, coordination, core strength, running, recovery, playing other sports

+ Mental

Mental strength, motivation, positive energy and thinking, lifting up the psychological state within yourself, recovery

+ Safety & Independence

Learning about safety in ski racing, being more independent, but still feeling part of team

Six days on snow/one day off snow for recovery and family times or social events

Programme schedule

Christmas/December to Easter/May

Schedule highly depend upon minimum number of athletes subscribing to GRD programme

Daily training plan

- free skiing

- technical skiing with age relevant drills

- powder and off-piste skiing

- different terrain skiing (flat to steep)

- gates training (brushes, gates, timing)

Other activities depending on schedule and snow conditions

- local racing/competition

- visit World Cup race events, usually in Austria

- social (skiing a glacier, spa center, museums, indoor climbing sessions, ice skating)

Some of these activities are subject to snow or weather conditions

Transportation

GRD vans will transport athletes to training locations from their accommodations, and will bring them back to accommodations after training is done, races, other events unless you prefer to drop them off yourselves.

Regular on snow training

am session (8:30am - 11:30am)

lunch from 11:30pm - 12:30pm

pm session (12:30pm - 3pm)

Twilight on snow training

Sometime we organize on snow night sessions. They are specific gates sessions, SL or GS. During such days, there will not be skiing after lunch time.

Video analysis

Daily video analysis, usually conducted during training or straight after lunch. We prefer this type of approach, on snow/on spot, mainly with younger athletes because of their focus levels.

Indoor facilities

Indoor facilities are located in a nearby town, 10 min away from our village and offer latest equipment and sports halls for excellent physical education and conditioning.

Dryland training

Once per week or more, depending on athletes’ physical conditions, indoors or outdoors under constant coaches’ personal guidance and program plan.

Tuning equipment

Coaches maintain athletes' skis with additional costings

Equipment needed

GS and SL skis

Full GS & SL protection

Race suits on when training gates

Powder skis, if available

Programme prices include

- Quality on snow coaching

- Ski pass, including glacier

- 6 days per week training on skis

- Races

- Reliable vans for transporting athletes

- Sports Hall

- Dryland Coaching

- Training pistes with gates

Programme prices does not include

- travelling costs for moving athletes and coaches, like fuel and tags. This costing will be shared equally once all the van transport receipts are collected by the end of program per each group.

- race entries, visit World Cup events, spa center tickets, etc.

- food such as lunch during training days

GRD Staff

Carefully selected, professional and experienced coaches

- European coaches pass their experience, passion and knowledge on to GRD athletes

- maximum group size is seven athletes

Bojan Antunovic is the programme director and head coach, making sure all GRD athletes are allocated to appropriate age and skill groups, gain an adequate ski racing knowledge for their age, while maximizing their skills and racing fundamentals with their respectful coaches.

"To deliver a quality programme to all GRD athletes, I ask all respectful parents for great and clear communication, mutual respect and positive attitude".

"I expect all athletes to arrive to GRD programme physically ready to rock."

"I have no doubts that we will have nothing, but great and positive experiences which our athletes will most benefit from, long-term especially".