Skimo January Update

With many new athletes the Skimo team has been working hard to develop many new skills and the progression has been impressive! Skills such as skinning techniques, pole use, kick turns, bootpacking techniques, and transitions that were new to many athletes just a month ago are becoming efficient and natural. Our returning athletes have been refining their skills for increased speed and efficiency. 

Despite a delay to the start of the Utah Skimo Citizens Series due to lack of snow,  the first 2 events have been successful for our athletes. The first event at Solitude on December 16th was a fast 60 minute challenge course. Our athletes completed between 3 and 5 laps of the 350’ vertical course in 60 minutes. The second event at Brighton on January 6th was a steep and technical course with challenging skinning conditions. All of our kick turn practice paid off with our athletes managing the steep and technical switchbacks with ease. The bootpack in the course was a big hit and a nice break from the technical skinning. 

Next up on the race schedule is the third Utah Skimo event at Solitude on January 20th. On January 31st several of our athletes will be representing SBSEF at the Crowbar Backcountry Race in Logan Canyon. 

–Davin Grapentine, Skimo Head Coach