Click here to view 2009/2010 Club Review – Part 2 - Mardens Club

MARDEN’S JUNIOR TRAINING 2010
The Marden’s Junior Training again took place over the first week of the Easter holidays. As ever
there were a few new faces and it was very nice to welcome the Brooksbanks, Wheelers, Campbells,
Repards and Broungers, and in total we had 60 trainees. It was also a year to say farewell, as Ali
Oakes who has been hugely involved with the Junior Training since we reintroduced it in 2005
announced that this would be is last year. Ali’s contribution has been massive both in the planning
of the training weeks and in ensuring their smooth running on the mountain. His enthusiasm and
effort will be much missed next year and I am sure I speak for all Junior Trainees and their parents
in thanking him for the dedication and sacrifice that he has given into making these weeks the fun
that they are.
The first day of training was on the Madrisa and in spite of a weather forecast heralding improving
conditions we were engulfed in cloud and snow for the whole day. This did give the trainees a chance
to practice a few off piste turns, with many of them enjoying the challenge, but training through gates
could not really start until the sun came out on the Tuesday.
With the Madrisa now closed for the remainder of the season we spent the rest of the week on the
Gotschna, and we had glorious weather throughout. On the Tuesday we set up a course on the
Mahder and everyone got a chance to go through the gates. However, given the soft conditions due
to the recent snow we were only able to do half the morning before the course had deteriorated too
much. We had lunch at the Alte Schwendi and Clair Southwell had worked wonders in ensuring that
Davos Klosters Mountains had prepared the piste, otherwise it could have been a bit of a struggle!
On the Wednesday we were again on the Mahder and held a team parallel slalom, an event which
now seems to have become an annual fixture. Eight teams of seven battled it out in what proved an
extremely competitive race. It is always fascinating to see how much better the children ski when
they can see the person they are racing against skiing alongside! We also instigated a new
competition whereby all the children had to predict how fast they would clock on the speed gun on
the Dorftali. A lot of science went into some of the predictions with the more astute trying to find
out from their trainers at exactly what time they were likely to be doing it and whether the course
would be running fast or slow! Perhaps science is Serena Lloyd’s strong point as she got her
prediction spot on!
The Thursday saw a break from the gates and the trainees took the opportunity to brush up on some
technique, as well as unwind down the ever popular Totalp ski cross course. Finally the week
finished up on the Friday with a GS on the Dorftali. As ever this was keenly fought and it was very
pleasing to see so many parents and other adult entrants take part. The prize giving was held at the
Sports Centre where the new range of Beanie hats and bendy clocks proved the most keenly sought
after trophies.
The week as always was over far too quickly. Nonetheless it was packed with plenty of laughs,
friendly competitiveness and lots of good memories. I hope that I will see many of the trainees back
on the slopes with us again next Easter.
James PT
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