We’ve made it to summer! With a few extra-sweaty workouts under our belts we finally have reached a pivotal season to be a skier.

At the start of the summer the motivation is high as groups get back together and get fired up thinking about the past season and the training ahead. The stress of  winter racing is still far in the distance, and improvements come fast as we get used to training more and more. The weather is usually bright and warm, the sock and watch tans get more pronounced, and adventures await every week!

This week started off with a big spring group for some running intervals at Cochrans. With schools continuing to get out and graduates arriving back home, our numbers are starting to swell.

That’s a big gang for warmup drills! The trails at Cochran’s are absolutely amazing for all sorts of training

On Thursday we were once again joined by our new summer coach Perry Thomas from UVM. We got our first agility work of the year done and then split up for either intervals or speeds. Here’s a bit of footage from some fast fun speeds in the neighborhoods:

Coach Perry talkin’ technique with the crew

On Saturday we had our traditional Summer Kickoff event at the Henry/Solow house. A group met for a hike up Camel’s Hump, while another group rode up to the top of App Gap and back from Hinesburg. Then, we gathered back at the house for a potluck, swimming, and some games and mingling. It was 80 degrees and sunny and felt like summer had officially started.

Bike group ready to head out (Sharon Henry photo)

Some of the Junior squad (ft. Tyke) atop Camel’s Hump (Lisa Burt photo)

Potluck! (Dave Priganc photo)

Tractor time…I think this would make an excellent album cover (Victoria Priganc photo)

Thanks to Sharon and Gary for hosting another great event! On to the next step of the year!