Two ASF Race Team athletes received scholarships and attended the Hartford Ski Spectacular Race Festival at Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado, December 5 – 12, 2010.

The week-long race camp was for independent skiers with disabilities who have aspirations to become better ski racers. The participants had the opportunity to train with national US Adaptive Team coaches and athletes.

“We pretty much ran gates and did drills the whole time, which I liked,” said ASF Race Team member John Eckbold. “Even the students were at a high level. You could learn one thing from every student, whether it was what to do, or what not to do.”

“It was amazing. So much fun. I loved it,” said ASF Race Team member Robyn Davis. Robyn trains with ASF’s race team on weekends and John trains at ASF mid-week.

Bob Speck, ASF training coordinator, also attended as a coach on a scholarship from Disabled Sports USA. “It was a great experience for all of us. We trained together, we enjoyed some skiing together, and we lived and ate and commuted together! Certainly, we all got to know each other better. We also got to know potential future ASF race team members, Lexi and Liam Jordan, who were also attending the event. We all made many contacts with other athletes, coaches, and program directors, and better familiarized ourselves with the process of developing future ASF Paralympians. Oh yeah, and the two feet of fresh snow we received during the week also helped make the experience especially memorable!”

John said, “It was kind of cool that Paralympians were there like Ralph Green and Chris Devon Young. CDY is my idol.”

US Adaptive Alpine Team Coach Eric Lierfallom, who will be ASF’s guest coach for the Eric D. Dettenrieder Race Camp February 23 – 26, was one of the coaches our athletes worked with at the Breckenridge event. To find out more about the Eric D. Dettenrieder Race Camp at ASF this Februrary, click here.