01.08.2008 - 11:43 h

Improving velocity: my personal training

An interview of Peter with Ski2b.com - Part I

Ski2b: Hello Peter. In our earlier interviews about physical training we mainly discussed strength building and endurance. In this interview would like to have a closer look at your speed and coordination training, with a particular focus on agility. As a professional skier, how important is speed?
Peter: While I don't dedicate a lot of my time to speed training, it is very important. I generally use sprinting to develop my speed; especially as this type of conditioning helps develop the neuromuscular system by improving the firing of fast twitch muscles.

Ski2b: How can a skier develop speed to better perform during competition?
Peter: Personally, I do short burst speed training sessions, followed by breaks. During these sessions I really focus on my running speed. However, good results can also be attained through bike riding.
This is how I approach it. I run 10 x 10 m sprints then take a rest. The length of rests is proportionate to the length of the sprints. Following these, I then up the sprint distance to 20 m and then 30 m. During this kind of training you accelerate as fast as possible and applied the most energy in the shortest period of time.

Ski2b: During competition, how reliant are you on the fast twitch muscles?
Peter: speed and agility certainly play a role when competing, even if the racer doesn't make many quick moves in the speed disciplines. However, for slalom and giant slalom skiers it’s different; they have to pay close attention to their fast twitch muscles during their training sessions in order to become faster and more agile between the short gate distances. This kind of training reflects the hard-core, almost aggressive, style of two of my colleagues - Mölgg and Blardone.
For skiers in other disciplines, fast movements are not as crucial, but endurance training, focusing on speed, is still important. As we say, use it or lose it!
For myself, if I didn't focus on my endurance, I’d have problems in the slower disciplines like slalom and giant slalom.

Ski2b: Should we consider training a form of prevention against injuries?
Peter: Yes of course. In my opinion, it‘s possible to avoid accidents during competition if you are fast and able to react quickly in a dangerous situation.

Ski2b: How does your behavior change during different kinds of training sessions?
Peter: In the beginning of the season I focus on endurance. Later, I switch to strength training, while also focusing my attention on speed training. By this time, the training intensity starts decreasing - allowing yourself to relax a bit.
Now it is August. I have to give it my best and really concentrate on what I‘m doing as every training session is crucial.

Ski2b: How is your training schedule for the coming weeks structured? Are you leaving for South America soon?
Peter: We leave on the 7th of August and will be there for five weeks. Our schedule is structured as follows: the first three weeks will focus on slalom and giant slalom, with the last two weeks the downhill training and the superG. Unlike the last year, we will start in Usuhaia, Patagonia, and finish in Las Lenas.

Ski2b: what are the weather conditions in Patagonia at the moment?
Peter: In Usuhaia the weather has been good for quite a while. Last week, they had the first snowfall in Las Lenas, so everything looks right on track for good conditions!

Ski2b: How are you feeling before summer training? What's your physical condition like?
Peter: I feel really good. Compared to last year, I’ve trained less. I learned my lesson about arriving already tired at last year's training camp!

Ski2b: And you have to test your new equipment…
Peter: Right. There’ll be few days dedicated to testing. I’ve already seen some of the new ATOMIC equipment and I was impressed.

Ski2b: Thank you Peter – and have a nice time in South America!


  BACK