SPECIAL EVENT - SATURDAY 21/9/13
London Masterclass + talk with Roy Young, British Nordic Ski Team coach

In aid of the British Nordic Ski Team, run-up to the Sochi Olympics, 2014

NOTE - CHANGE OF VENUE FOR THE TALK, WE'LL NOW MEET AT THE VICTORIA PUB, 10A STRATHEARN PLACE, W2 2NH. (EVEN CLOSER TO HYDE PARK...)

11.30-13.30 - rollerski masterclass with Roy, Hyde Park, see map

14.00-16.00 - cross-country skiing and GB team talk, questions and answers, at the Victoria Pub, 10 Strathearn Place, W2 2NH, see map

BOOKING

This Winter the strongest British Nordic Ski Team in living memory will be competing at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.  Leading the team will be Head Coach Roy Young, one of the heroes of British skiing.  Roy has led the team for the last few years, keeping together the many threads of coaching, development, admin and politics, while maintaining a very special dynamic in a team whose success has seemingly come from nowhere - and astonished more established ski teams.

GB made a reappearance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, with their first cross-country skiers since 1994.  The young team (all still in their teens) acquitted themselves well and, four years on, they are stronger than ever. Roy's role in all this has been pretty major. Without past success there was zero funding for cross-country skiing, and no system or personnel in place to support them.

But being up against the odds - and consistently beating them - has been a hallmark of the team.  The parents and coaches of a group of young teenagers set up their own body, the 'British Nordic Development Squad', in the mid 2000's which enabled them to send some skiers to events for younger age groups, such as the British Championships and the European Youth Olympics.  This was a prescient move as it enabled them to be independent of the (then) very Alpine-focused British Ski and Snowboard Federation which, suffering from bad management, collapsed into financial administration in 2010.  Since then the rise of the GB cross-country ski team has been unstoppable: consistent improvements have seen Andrew Musgrave finishing 4th in the World U23 Champs this year, and winning a Gold Medal at the Norwegian National Championship in the team relay event. Posy Musgrave achieved the lowest ever 'FIS points' for a GB Ladies' skier in March, and Andrew Young (aged 20) finishing in the top 25 at this year's World U23 Championships. 

Roy will be sharing some of the technique, training and mental secrets of the GB team, with a special Masterclass on Saturday 21st September in Hyde Park.  This session will be in skate technique, for intermediate level skiers. After the rollerskiing, we will head to a nearby pub where Roy will give a short talk and answer questions.  All are welcome to the talk.  For the Masterclass you need to book below - spaces are limited to 10, and the cost is £30pp with all proceeds going to the British Nordic Ski Team.

For anyone coming up to London for the weekend, the following day (Sunday 22nd September) there will be a 15k Rollerski Duathlon event (7.5k classic followed by 7.5k free technique) at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, West London, run by the London Region Nordic Ski Club.

Booking (equipment included if required):

Masterclass (£30): All proceeds go to the British Nordic Ski Team	Shoe size (UK):
Talk is free to all, no need to book But donations to the squad would be very welcome

British Nordic Ski Team

Sochi Winter Olympic Games, 2014

Contact us, or call 07968 286129 if you have any questions

Information - rollerski session - 11.30-16.00

Information - cross-country skiing talk and Q&A - 14:00-16.00