From Thursday 6th August – 14th August one of the biggest training camps for young skiers is taking place in Norway.

90 athletes and 22 coaches from nine different countries participated in last year's edition of the training camo. This year there are 135 athletes and 25 coaches from 15 nations.

Norway’s national team skiers Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen and Sondre Fossli Turvoll are going to contribute as coaches and mentors. They are part of the Heroes of Tomorrow project supported by Statoil. The training camp is organized by the Norwegian Ski Federation in collaboration with the oil company. Since the last year the International Ski Federation (FIS) has been financially supporting organization of the training camp.

“The goal of the camp is that nations will learn from each other and make each other better, and thus will contribute to the development of Cross-Country sport also outside the Nordic region,” says Brit Baldishol, Development in Nordic skiing, and responsible for the training camp.

Bigger every year
The project started four years year ago as a collaboration between junior national teams of Norway and Germany. The camp has developed and now welcomes junior teams from 15 nations. This year’s edition is unfortunately going to take place without Germany, however, teams USA and Canada are taking the trip across the Atlantic to take part in the camp. The interest t join the project was so high that organizers had to turn down some nations.

“As the world's biggest and leading ski nation we have a responsibility to share our expertise with other nations. It is a pleasure to invite talents and coaches from other countries, and together create an event where we can inspire each other,” says Torbjørn Skogstad, head of cross-country committee of the Norwegian Ski.

The training camp will take place in Oslo and Sjusjøen from 6th to 14th August and is for athletes born in 1996-1998. On Sunday athlets will move from Oslo to Sjusjøen. The program is packed with hard workouts, socializing and discussions with, among others Uhrenholdt Jacobsen and sprint comet Turvoll Fossli.

National team coaches Trond Nystad and Tor Arne Hetland will join the training camp to give young skiers advice and guidance. Martin Koukal from the Czech Republic (World Champion in 50 km F at the World Championships in Val de Fiemme in 2003) is one of the international coaches who will help during camp.

Source: fis-ski.com